Eve Ensler, playwright, performer, and activist, is the author of The Vagina Monologues. Her experience performing The Vagina Monologues inspired her to create V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls.

Watch Part one of Eve Ensler’s Speech:

Part 1

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Lilly Ledbetter, a manager at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant in Gadsden, Alabama, took her quest for equal pay all the way to the Supreme Court. When the Court decided against her — changing the way that equal pay cases are handled for everyone — Lilly Ledbetter courageously fought with the help of NCJW and others to pass a law that undid that decision.

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President Barack Obama appointed Melanne Verveer as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. The President’s decision to create a position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues is unprecedented, and reflects the elevated importance of these issues to the President and his entire Administration.

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Christina Tchen was previously a partner in corporate litigation at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. In that capacity, Tchen represented public agencies in state and federal class actions, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Public Aid, and the Chicago Housing Authority. Tchen is the recipient of many awards, including the Leadership Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (1999); “Women of Achievement” award from the Anti-Defamation League (1996); and Chicago Lawyer “Person of the Year” (1994).

John Podesta is the President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. Under his leadership, the Center has become a notable leader in the development of and advocacy for progressive policy.

Prior to founding the Center in 2003, Podesta served as White House Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton. He served in the president’s cabinet and as a principal on the National Security Council. While in the White House, he also served as both an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, as well as staff secretary and a senior policy advisor on government information, privacy, telecommunications security, and regulatory policy.

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Washington Institute 2010 (WIX) will feature inspiring and knowledgeable speakers who will address today’s most pressing public policy issues. These experts will speak to the significant policy challenges and achievements of our time will share their insights and experiences with us. In addition, NCJW will honor Eve Ensler and Lilly Ledbetter with our Woman Who Dared award. Keep checking this website as we add speakers over the coming weeks!