US embassy congratulates Mama Maggie on Int'l Woman Courage Award

CAIRO – 7 March 2019: The United States Embassy in Cairo issues a statement Thursday to congratulate Magda Gobran, also known as Mama Maggie, who will receive an International Woman of Courage Award from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and First Lady Melania Trump in Washington, DC.

According to the statement, Mama Maggie epitomizes the courage and leadership required to uplift the disadvantaged, promote social inclusion, and advance the status of women in Egypt. She is the first woman from Egypt to receive this award.


Magda Gobran, also known as Mama Maggie with the Chargé d'Affaires Thomas H. Goldberger - Press photo

"The award recognizes Mama Maggie’s selfless dedication to improving the lives of tens of thousands of impoverished children in Egypt. She established the non-governmental organization Stephen’s Children to serve underprivileged children of all backgrounds in the neighborhood of Mukattam providing them with food, clothing, free education and mentoring. The organization also provides vocational training for adults," the statement added.

Stephen's Children organization has branches in nearly every governorate across Egypt, and it deploys over 2,000 volunteers to provide support and counseling, deliver blankets and meals, and facilitate medical treatment. In over 100 community education centers founded by Stephen’s Children, children receive free basic education and adults attend literacy classes, giving them the tools they need to earn a living wage and lift themselves out of poverty.

Mama Maggie’s work dovetails with the U.S.-Egypt strategic partnership, which aims to foster a growing economy and healthy, educated population. The U.S. Embassy is proud to showcase her accomplishments.

Now in its 13th year, the Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. Since the inception of this award in March 2007, the State Department has recognized more than 120 women from more than 65 different countries.