On July 13, 2005 the National Endowment for Democracy presented its annual Democracy Award to three democratic activists from Afghanistan: Ms. Sakena Yacoobi, Mr. Mohammad Nasib and Mr. Sarwar Hussaini.

Professor Sakena Yacoobi is the founder and Executive Director of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). Zonta funds AIL's health and education projects to improve the lives of Afghan women. Professor Yacoobi received the award as a distinguished leader in educating average citizens and local leaders about the basic values and principles of democracy, the rights of women and ethnic minorities, strategies for peace-building and conflict resolution, and the importance of broad political participation. US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton presented the 2005 Democracy Award to Ms. Yacoobi.

Zonta Washington Club members KT Harroun, Marta Calderon and Karen Manton attended the 2005 Democracy Awards presentation to bring Zonta's best wishes to Ms. Yacoobi. She was most gracious, telling us that she could not do her work without our support. Congratulations Mrs. Yacoobi!