The United Nations marked International Women's Day by presenting award of "Outstanding Woman in Buddhism" to 20 women around the world for honoring their efforts in promoting Buddhism.
Burmese Democracy leader Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi gets UN Buddhism award for her tireless struggle for democracy in mainly Buddhist Burma.
A Burmese expatriate Dr. Thynn Thynn also received the award for her dedication in propagating and advocating Theravada Buddhism in the Americas and in Europe. In her acceptance speech she said, "I am accepting the award not for myself but for all the Buddhist grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and daughters the world over."
She said, "I see women in Buddhism as the unsung heroes who have supported Buddhism behind the scenes for many centuries and its timely that women are given recognition for our efforts."
Dr. Thynn Thynn is a medical doctor-turned-a Dhamma teacher. She has established a Dhamma center in California for both men and women in an attempt to bypass gender struggles. She is the author of many articles on Buddhism, published in Thailand and Burma.
