Bonni Curran Memorial Lecture History

Each year the Festival presents a lecture by an internationally acclaimed advocate for women and girls. In 2014, it was named in honor of Bonni Curran, who was tragically killed in an accident in 2013.

Bonni was a physician, loving mother and wife, and not only a prominent local philanthropist, but also deeply committed to working on behalf of women and children around the world. She had been a supporter of the festival from its inception. In honoring her memory each year, we are reminded of the impact she had on our community and how much we miss her presence.

2020

Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA and Under Secretary General of the United Nations UNFPA

2019

Mariarosa Cutillo, Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Branch of UNFPA

2018

Maria Cavalcanti, President and Chief Officer of Pro Mujer

2017

Sarah Costa, Executive Director of the Women’s Refugee Commission

2015

Jill Sheffield, Founder and President, Women Deliver

2014

Meagan Fallone Carnahan, head of Global Strategy for Barefoot College in India

2013

Kate Gilmore, Deputy-Executive Director of UNFPA; former Director, Amnesty-International

2011

Robert Engelman, Vice President for Programs The Worldwatch Institute

2010

Dr. Hailegiorgis Aytenfisu, Chief Surgeon of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia

2009

Pamela Delargy, Chief, UNFPA Humanitarian Response Unit