THE HAGUE - Samira Rafaela received the International Woman of the Year award from Harper's Bazaar magazine. That happened in Amsterdam. Rafaela is a member of the European Parliament for the Dutch political party D66.
She has a Curaçao background. According to the expert jury, 2020 has turned out to be an important first year in Samira's term as an MEP.
Standing up for injustice on issues such as security, peace, international cooperation, and social equality mattered more than ever this year and Samira's role did not go unnoticed, the jury said.
The nominees included economist Barbara Boomsma, presenter Fidan Ekiz and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The jury wrote about Rafaela:
“This versatile, progressive, feminist MEP has an Islamic Jewish, Caribbean, Dutch and West African background. She is therefore the right woman to stand up for the physical and financial health of everyone during corona, including in the Caribbean part of our kingdom. The jury sees her getting far, for example at the United Nations, to connect people at an international level.”
Samira Rafaela responded:
"I am deeply honoured and feel it as recognition for the work I have done so far in the European Parliament for everyone in the kingdom and for everyone in Europe. As a politician it is not always easy to do it right and this great appreciation gives me a lot of energy and conviction. I am very grateful to all the people who support me and everyone who voted for me, including from the Caribbean part of the kingdom! Nos ta un Reino! (We are one Kingdom)"