Guests enjoy a traditional Arabic dance, the debke. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN

DEARBORN- The American Arab Women's Community Network hosted an event for International Women's Day on Sunday, March 11 at Byblos Banquet Hall, punctuated by Arabic orchestra music, singers and awards for deserving honorees.

The event celebrated the spirit of the March 8 holiday and recognized not only American Arab women in the community and abroad but also women in general and their importance to society.

Five students were given savings bonds for scholarships as winners in an essay contest about International Women's Day:  Issra Kilawi (1st place), Hannan Yahya (2nd place), Ismahan Ali (3rd place), Rana Haimot (4th place) and Zana Asloum (5th place). Special gifts were given to women in attendance as well as an award to The Arab American News for community support. Art for the event was donated by Ilham Badreddine and a traditional fashion show was also held, with special recognition given to Lebanese singer Fadwa Obeid. 

Dr. Daad Katato speaking at the event.

A tribute was also given to Nobel Prize winner Tawwakul Karman of Yemen and to Rachel Corrie, a young American activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer while protesting home demolitions in 2003. Nawal Hamadeh, CEO of Hamadeh Educational Services, was honored and also served as one of several speakers for the day. Dr. Daad Katato of the AAWCN closed with remarks saluting Arab women in the Middle East participating in the Arab Spring as well as those who will do so in the future.