Helene Weber Award 2024 for outstanding commitment by women in local politics

The Helene Weber Award is being presented for the fifth time in 2024 by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. It is a nationwide initiative to promote women's political participation and is the only cross-party award for local female politicians in Germany. Each round reflects the broad spectrum of committed women as well as the diversity of local challenges.

Parliamentary State Secretary and Jury Chair Ekin Deligöz emphasizes: “I was impressed by all the applications. It is wonderful to see what women can achieve locally—regardless of whether they live in East or West Germany, their party affiliation, migration background, or age. It was not easy to make a selection. All the award winners are exceptionally dedicated to their regions and to our democracy.” She adds: “Women remain underrepresented in politics, especially at the local level. We therefore want to recognize and highlight the efforts of women who are politically active in a voluntary capacity. In doing so, we are showcasing role models and encouraging more women to get involved in politics.”

These are the 2024 award winners:

• Diana Arnold (CDU, Baden-Württemberg)
• Anab Awale (SPD, Berlin)
• Lenka Alzbeta Brodbeck (Alliance 90/The Greens, Hamburg)
• Dr. Marilena Geugjes (Alliance 90/The Greens, Baden-Württemberg)
• Polina Gordienko, (SPD, Bavaria)
• Ute Gremmel-Geuchen (CDU, North Rhine-Westphalia)
• Maria Helmis (SPD, North Rhine-Westphalia)
• Ulrike Jary (CDU, Thuringia)
• Hibba-Tun-Noor Kauser (SPD, Hesse)
• Annett Klingsporn (SPD, Brandenburg)
• Onyekachi Oshionwu (Alliance 90/The Greens, Lower Saxony)
• Tina Schuster (FDP, Schleswig-Holstein)
• Petra Teufel (FDP, Thuringia)
• Malena Todt (Alliance 90/The Greens, Hesse)
• Franziska Wurzinger (Alliance 90/The Greens, Bavaria)

The Helene Weber Award will be presented in a ceremony in Berlin on March 22, 2024, by Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Lisa Paus .

The Helene Weber Award

Since 2009, the Helene Weber Award has recognized and empowered women serving in local elected office who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, while raising the profile of both them and their work. Candidates are nominated by members of the Bundestag and selected by an independent jury. Award winners receive prize money for activities in their local communities, as well as training and networking support through the Helene Weber Kolleg. Many of the winners now hold mandates and offices in state, federal, or European politics. As role models, the award winners can encourage other women to enter local politics. The Helene Weber Kolleg is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. The project is implemented by EAF Berlin.

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The Helene Weber Kolleg (HWK) is the first nationwide, cross-party platform for women in local politics, offering various exchange and networking formats as well as information to support women as they enter and advance in politics. A key focus is on an intersectional perspective. With the Helene Weber Award , the HWK honors outstanding local politicians and makes them and their work visible. The Helene Weber Network strengthens and connects the award winners. The HWK is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and implemented by EAF Berlin . www.frauen-macht-politik.de