#WITW founder Tina Brown presented the PerSister award to Topeka Sam, a tenacious fighter on behalf of women who are rebuilding their lives after serving time in prison. Sam, who spent three years in prison herself, founded Hope House in NYC as safe housing for formerly incarcerated women and plans to build more houses like it in cities across the country.

The inaugural #PerSisterAward, presented by #LG is presented to a woman who has shown great courage as a global truth-teller, a woman of audacity and fortitude who has spoken out on behalf of equal rights, human rights, and a better world for all of us.