The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has named freelance photographer Heidi Levine as the inaugural winner of the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award. IWMF created the award to honor the courage and dedication of Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus, who was killed while reporting in Afghanistan in 2014.
“We are proud to honor and celebrate the courage of women photojournalists who risk their lives documenting conflict and war while shedding light on moments of humanity,” IWMF Executive Director Elisa Lees Muñoz said. “The images captured by the award nominees represent a collective vantage point on some of this decade’s most dangerous conflicts. Their work helps us better understand the world and inspires us to take action.”
The award jury of accomplished journalists with the guidance of the award’s advisory committee recognized Jerusalem-based photojournalist Heidi Levine as the winner for her stunning and powerful images. “Her courage and commitment to the story in Gaza is unwavering. She documents tragic events under dire circumstances while displaying a depth of compassion for the people she encounters,” the jury wrote in their selection statement.
“I am honored to be recognized with this award dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Anja,” Levine told the IWMF. “Anja was both a photojournalist and a person I admired, respected, and often consulted with in the field under extreme circumstances. There was an incredible professional bond and sense of trust, a sisterhood so many of us felt, and she is greatly missed by us all.”
Two additional photojournalists received recognition from the jury. Photographer Anastasia Vlasova received an honorable mention for her great courage and dedication to covering the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine at extreme personal risk. AP photographer Rebecca Blackwell received an honorable mention for her coverage of the Central African Republic, demonstrating tremendous courage working in diffcult conditions.
