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Rachel Kitonyo, 2009 Recipient of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Wilkenfeld family are thrilled to announce that Rachel Kitonyo of Kenya is the second annual recipient of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence. 

View Rachel Kitonyo's Acceptance Speech at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' Annual Gala in May 2009

The Campaign created the Award to recognize international advocates who have made a major contribution to reducing tobacco use and united and inspired others to do the same, in the spirit exemplified by Judy when she led the Campaign’s international efforts. In the award’s second year, the Campaign received yet another group of outstanding nominees from around the world. The final selection was made by a distinguished panel of international tobacco control experts along with the Wilkenfeld family. 

About Rachel Kitonyo 

Rachel Kitonyo is a highly deserving recipient of this award.  Rachel is a dedicated tobacco control advocate, often navigating politically complex situations to make a real difference. Rachel distinctively demonstrates Judy’s gift of uniting and inspiring people, fostering consensus and nurturing those with whom she works.  

Rachel received her legal degree from the University of Nairobi in 2002 and worked as a courtroom lawyer until 2005, when she left practice to establish the Institute for Legislative Affairs (ILA) and currently serves as its Executive Director. The ILA took a leading role in strengthening a tobacco control bill that had been stalled and guided it through Kenya’s Parliamentary approval process. In 2007 ILA succeeded and the bill became Kenya’s Tobacco Control Act, giving Kenya one of the strongest tobacco-control laws in Africa.

Rachel has also been effective at uniting diverse groups in support of tobacco control.  Under her leadership in 2006, ILA took a leading role in founding a new umbrella coalition, the Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (KETCA); Rachel currently serves on KETCA’s Executive Committee.  Rachel is also making a regional impact on African tobacco control, helping draft a constitution in late 2008 for a new African alliance of tobacco-control NGOs that became the African Tobacco Control Alliance, which elected Rachel as its first Chair.

Rachel’s closest colleagues describe her as “purposeful, energetic and passionate.”  Like Judy, her integrity, cultural sensitivity and respect for others have enabled her to unite people and create significant change for Kenya.

We at the Campaign are very fortunate to have worked with Judy.  And we are grateful to have an exemplary colleague like Rachel Kitonyo who is building on her legacy.

Rachel will be in Washington, D.C. for the Campaign’s thirteenth annual Youth Advocates of the Year Awards Gala on May 6, 2009 to receive the award.  Please visit www.tobaccofreekids.org/gala/ for more information. 

About The Judy Wilkenfeld Award For International Tobacco Control Excellence

When Judy Wilkenfeld died on May 24, 2007, the world lost an incomparable advocate of tobacco control. Judy worked tirelessly to reduce tobacco's toll for more than 20 years, first as a public official and then as a leader of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids international efforts. Among her many accomplishments, Judy played an integral role in the development and adoption of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the emergence of the Framework Convention Alliance.

Her expertise and devotion forever changed the world of tobacco control. But Judy's true impact extends far beyond her professional achievements. Judy was unique in the way she respectfully treated colleagues, and in the way she brought them together. Judy touched favorably upon the lives of all who knew her, and served as a role model to many.

In Judy's honor, the Campaign established the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence, which is given annually to an advocate from a low- or middle-income country who has worked to significantly reduce tobacco use through policy advocacy and exemplifies the traits for which Judy was known.

Like Judy, the winner of the award will exemplify the following traits:

• Exhibits utmost respect in honoringthediversityof the different members of the tobacco control community;
• Works to build consensus and bring people together;
• Serves as a mentor and/or role model for others in the movement;
• Has an established record of achievement; and
• Demonstrates the potential to be an even more significant future leader.

About the 2008 Inaugural Winner: Laura Salgado
Laura Salgado of Honduras, our inaugural recipient in 2008, is one such exemplary advocate. Already an accomplished tobacco-control advocate, Laura dramatically expanded her activity since receiving the Judy Wilkenfeld Award. Most significantly, Laura worked closely on campaigns that improved compliance with the FCTC throughout Latin America, and that led three new countries to become parties to the Framework Convention in 2008: Nicaragua and Colombia in April, and Costa Rica in August.

The Judy Wilkenfeld award will be presented at the Campaign's annual Youth Advocates of the Year Awards Gala, which will be held on May 6, 2009. The awardee will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the event, and will receive a monetary award as a part of this honor.

We at the Campaign are blessed to have worked with Judy, and we are delighted to offer this award in her honor to recognize and support other promising advocates. Please reference the following information for details about the submissions procedure.