Founder
Elizabeth Lou, Recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights
Elizabeth Lou came to the United States as a refugee and resettled in San Diego in 1999. Drawing from resources in both her personal background and profession as a community organizer and health educator, she founded Nile Sisters Development Initiative in 2001. The organization’s mission is to educate, support, and offer training to refugee and immigrant women and their families to help them overcome barriers to social and economic self-reliance.
Her commitment to the refugee and immigrant population in San Diego County has earned the following recognition at local, state and national levels.
| Year | Award | Awarding Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Moxie Woman Award | Moxie Theatre, San Diego» |
| 2016 | San Diego Co. Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee» | Women’s Museum of California |
| 2016 | Women of Dedication Honoree | The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary |
| 2015 | Woman of the Year Distinguished Nominee | San Diego Magazine |
| 2013 | The People’s Microphone Award | Radio Station KNSJ 89.1 |
| 2012 | The President’s Volunteer Service Award | US President Barack Obama |
| 2012 | Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights | United Nations Association of the USA |
| 2012 | Special Commendation | The City of San Diego |
| 2010 | Congressional Award for Advancing the Status of Women and Children |
Soroptimist International |
| 2006 | Certificate of Recognition | California State Assembly |
| 2006 | Special Commendation | The City of San Diego |
| 2003 | Public Health Champion Award | County of San Diego Health and Human Services |
| 2002 | Planned Parenthood Award | Project Concern International |
| 2001 | Compañeras en Acción Award | SDSU Graduate School of Public Health |
Elizabeth Lou’s professional biography and high-resolution publicity portrait are available upon request for use in web and print promotional materials.
Request Elizabeth’s publicity kit: elou@nilesisters.org»
