USA ambassador in Armenia Mary Yovanovich awarded "Brave woman" medal to the activist of "SOS Teghut" initiative Mariam Sukhudyan at the reception in the US embassy in Armenia. According to the ambassador there has never been a prize called "Brave woman", and this medal is given for the first time.

"The prize is awarded to Sukhudyan for her commitment, courage and leadership in protection of the children with special needs, and in her efforts to pursue justice", said the ambassador, noting the words of Margaret Thatcher that if in the politics a word has to be said, they address to a man, if they want an action to be carried out they address to a woman.

Mariam Sukhudyan said in her thankful speech that in spite of the award she is considered as a criminal potentially.

"I am accused for defamation, for alarming about the dreadful things occurring in Nubarashen special school. I share this award with the non governmental organizations, media who have always been beside me", -pointed out Ms. Sukhudyan.

Mariam mentioned in her speech that she would like, first of all, to be appreciated by the law enforcement bodies of her country, and not to be defended from them, and the struggle for protection of Teghut forests be viewed not as a fight against authorities, but as a struggle for healthy future life. 

Mariam is an activist of environmental campaign of Armenia, participates in the Teghut Forests protection campaign, and has implemented an excessive work aimed at presenting to the public the current situation of Nubarashen N11 special school. She was a volunteer in this school within the framework of one of the Volunteers' Programs of UN office in Armenia, and alarmed together with other members of the group about the situation of the school; bad food, education and anti-sanitary conditions.

After sexual harassment towards the pupils by one of the teachers of Nubarashen school Mariam first was accused for "defamation", later for "false crime reporting". 

Currently the criminal case against Mariam is still ongoing.

Different media representatives, political officials, representatives of NGOs were also invited to the event organized in US embassy in Armenia.

Christine Vardanyan