2023 Honorees
Sharon Daugherty
Sharon Daugherty is an inspirational global leader in Christian ministry co - founding Victory Christian Center, an effective local church community serving the Tulsa area that has furthered their reach by planting over 2,000 Bible Colleges in 102 countries. She is the author of 7 books.
Joni Eareckson Tada
Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Mrs. Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization which provides support programs for thousands of families living with disability around the world. Her radio program, Sharing Hope, reaches more than 1 million listeners weekly.
Mary Faus
Mary Faus is a full blood Anishinaabekwe of the Ojibway Cree, and a spiritual leader and advocate for her native people. She is passionate about helping her community reclaim their culture and voice, and a leader and active member of All Tribes DC, which is a Christian-based nonprofit formed by native people.
Terry Anne Meeuwsen
Terry Anne Meeuwsen is a leading personality in Christian broadcasting. Crowned Miss America in 1973, Terry’s gift for singing and acting introduced her to the Christian Broadcasting Network where she has been on air for more than 30 years. Terry is an accomplished author and founder of Orphan’s Promise CBN’s ministry to children around the world; taking vulnerable children from at-risk to thriving in more than 60 countries.
Dr. Larinda King
Dr. Larinda King is an inspirational leader and entrepreneur, training and employing young urban women to be successful businesswomen. As an Elite Executive Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay since 2019, Dr. Larinda’s team ranked number 1 in the U.S. for 2021, and number 2 in in 2022. She is a Pastor, author, speaker, multimedia specialist, and broadcaster for both T.V. and radio, and founder of several community organizations, a church and private school in Augusta, Georgia.
Dr. Day Gardner
Dr. Day Gardner is a civil rights activist, and founder and President of The National Black Pro-Life Union. She is a member of the National Clergy Council on Capitol Hill, Project 21 National Advisory Council, and sits on several state and national boards. She is a broadcaster and a sought-after motivational speaker and author.
Charmaine Hedding
Charmaine Hedding is an outstanding Global Development Manager for the non-profit sector, with a particular focus on the protection of persecuted Christians and other minorities in the Middle East and Africa., She recently ran the evacuations of over 9000 people from Afghanistan including members of the Afghan underground church, religious minorities, and Afghans that had worked for the US and other governments and the military.
Dr. Susan Michael
Dr. Susan Michael is USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, a member of the ICEJ’s international board, and has been a pioneer in furthering Christian engagement with Israel and the Jewish people for more than four decades. She is gifted teacher, international speaker. and an author leading one of the strongest networks of Evangelical leaders in America—the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI).
Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez is a multi-platinum-selling, Grammy nominated and multiple Dove award winner as a Christian singer/songwriter recording albums in English and Spanish and performing on stages around the world. Jaci is an actress, author, and has hosted a syndicated radio program. She has used her celebrity to launch a non-profit clothing line and as a mother of a special needs child, raised awareness of autism.
Lori Windham
Lori Windham is vice president and senior counsel at Becket, where she defends religious freedom for all. She has represented parties before the Supreme Court, arguing the unanimous victory on behalf of foster families in Fulton v. Philadelphia and working with the Becket team on its Supreme Court victories in Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor. She is recognized in Washington as an expert on religious freedom issues, and is sought-after speaker on First Amendment law.☆She Leads America Young Christian Women of Distinction 2023:
Hannah Castillo
Hannah Castillo Hannah served two years in the White House Office of Public Liaison and as President Trump’s Coalitions Director in 2020, built the most expansive coalitions effort in Republican history, culminating with President Trump receiving the largest percentage of the non-white vote for a Republican candidate since 1960. At 29, Hannah was one of the youngest political operatives ever to serve in a senior role on a Presidential campaign.She is now with Prayer House DC – a ministry dedicated to worship, prayer and building a community focused on Jesus.
Riley Gaines
Riley Gaines is a courageous spokeswoman for fairness in women’s sports. A recent graduate from the University of Kentucky where she was a 12 time NCAA All-American swimmer she competed and tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at their NCAA championships. Since directly experiencing the injustice of allowing men in women's sports, Riley has been outspoken on why this issue is blatantly unfair and harmful to females. Through “The Riley Gaines Center” she is building a movement to stand up for women’s sports and common - sense American values.