by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:51 PM ET, Fri March 15, 2019
Holland America Line announced it has bestowed its Shared Humanity Award to Oprah Winfrey and donated $40,000 to her Leadership Academy for Girls.
The ceremony was held onboard the Nieuw Statendam following the special Girls' Getaway sailing in partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine. Winfrey is the official godmother of the ship.
"Oprah has worked tirelessly throughout her career to enrich the lives of others, and she is globally recognized as a leader who has inspired millions to live their best lives and embrace that we are more alike than different," Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford said in a statement.
"Oprah embodies the spirit and reason why we created the Shared Humanity Award, to reflect our higher purpose value of building connections and fostering understanding among people from different cultures as we sail the world," Ashford continued. "Oprah is exceptionally deserving to be honored and we are proud to support her work with a donation to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa."
Holland America Line chose Winfrey for her commitment over the last three decades to bringing people together, breaking down barriers and inspiring greater understanding among people from all backgrounds, belief systems and walks of life.
"I've spent my life trying to be a missionary and a visionary of spreading peace in the world," Winfrey said. "The one prayer that I pray most often is 'God, use me for something greater than myself.'"
"There is nothing better than having acknowledgment that the work that you are doing is being affirmed by people who notice what you do," Winfrey continued. "I appreciate that from you. Thank you very much and I'm grateful for the contribution to Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls."
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