World Madam Cultural Week Ends, Mayor Adams Extends Greeting Letter

NEW YORK, October 20 - Sponsored by the World Madam Foundation and organized in partnership with the World Madam Group and various other organizations, the "WORLD MADAM International Culture Week" took place in New York from October 3rd to 10th. Mayor Eric Adams has sent a congratulatory letter to the World Madam Foundation, commending its mission of empowering women. Esteemed guests from diverse backgrounds and Madams representing different corners of the globe lauded the richness and scope of this cultural extravaganza.

Throughout the Culture Week, a myriad of colorful activities unfolded like a vibrant tapestry. There were solemn meetings between World Madams and prominent figures, as well as heartfelt charity events. The judging processes and grand award ceremonies were highlights, while lively carriage parades added a festive atmosphere.

Additionally, Madam candidates from countries and regions engaged in profound discussions with scholars from the Education for Persistence and Innovation Center（EPIC）of Columbia University. They also visited the UN Headquarters in New York and held insightful sharing sessions.

The selection segment shone brightly, grabbing attention. After passionate personal narratives, dazzling talent displays, and witty repartees, Jasmine Li from New Zealand and Lili Han from New York were crowned the overall champions for 2022. Meanwhile, Vu Thi Thu Huong from Singapore and Sepideh Behboudi from Canada took the titles for 2023. 

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned of Qatar was honored as the Global Honorary Champion of 2022, and Oscar-nominated Mexican artist Yalitza Aparicio received the title for 2023. 

Participation from over 30 Madam candidates from countries like the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Singapore,Australia and the UK, alongside their supporters, added a stellar aura to the event.

On October 7th, the award ceremony took place at the iconic Gotham Hall in New York. Prominent attendees included Lester Chang, a New York State Assembly member; Peter Koo, a senior advisor to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks; Charles P. Wang, former Vice Chairman of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; renowned NYU professor James C. Hsiung; Anni Huang, founder of the World Madam global brand; World Madam Global Executive Chairwoman Lisa Chen; World Madam Global Director Alain Azoulay; World Madam Global Artistic Director Mariana Popazlateva; World Madam Global Image Ambassador Laura Weissbecker; and Roxana Zachos, the globally elected champion of 2020, among others. 

Over 300 guests from the fields of art, education, finance, diplomacy, and media worldwide were in attendance.

At the ceremony, the World Madam Global Committee awarded Charles P. Wang, editor-in-chief of the "Society & Diplomatic Review" magazine Gloria Starr Kins, and EPIC professor Dr. Xiaodong Lin-Siegler with the World Madam Advisory Lifetime Achievement Award. Lifetime Achievement Awards for the World Madam Committee level were given to Lisa Chen, Steven Fang, Xiaoyun Gao, and Xuefen Mo. Other awards for outstanding committee members and individual contributors were also presented.

The award ceremony was hosted by 2021 Global Champion Zaozao Wang. Runner-up Celestine Liu performed the World Madam theme song, and Lisa Chen, Laura Weissbecker, Die Zhang (European Executive Chair), and award-winning Madams showcased their artistic talents.

On the afternoon of October 8th, the award-winning Madams and their entourage took a celebratory carriage ride through Central Park, creating a moving spectacle that drew the admiration and awe of onlookers, filling the air with applause and cheers.

On the morning of October 9th, a group of winning Madams visited the Columbia University campus, enhancing its atmosphere with their talks in collaboration with scholars from the EPIC. In the evening, some of these winners, along with their close associates, shared their experiences and insights at a reception in the Delegates Dining Room on the fourth floor of the UN Headquarters. 

As night deepened, the World Madam International Culture Week came to a perfect conclusion with the melodic strains of the erhu, played by renowned musician Professor Ma Xiaohui.

Lisa Chen noted that, as of October 2023, the World Madam Group had received applications from around 60 countries and regions, with approximately 40 having already hosted events under the World Madam banner. By unofficial count, over 100 large events and another 100 charitable donations have taken place worldwide, with over 50,000 exceptional women either directly or indirectly involved, creating profound impacts.

Adam Erol, the World Madam Executive Chair for Turkey, remarked, "Participating in the World Madam International Culture Week not only provided a unique judging experience but also provoked deep reflection on the essence of the World Madam culture. I've come to deeply appreciate the bonds that tie us together as humans and value the genuine worth of friendships. I look forward to the day the World Madam assembly gathers in Türkiye."

The events of the World Madam International Culture Week received a positive response in New York City. 

Mayor Adams said in his greeting letter: “On the occasion of its global awards ceremony, World Madam's ‘crown changes lives’ initiative is dedicated to connecting influential married women across various sectors such as culture, economics，education politics，and science, with the goal of promoting gender equity, championing the rights and wellbeing of women, and empowering them to balance self-care with the challenges of work and family life. As you gather for this celebration, I applaud everyone associated with World Madam for their efforts to elevate women in the five boroughs and beyond. I look forward to the many ways everyone gathered will help us rebuild, renew and reinvent New York City.”

Assemblyman Lester Chang warmly welcomed the madams attending the World Madam cultural event in New York. He also expressed his desire to award certificates to the primary participants of the event. 

To honor the achievements of Anni Huang, the founder of the World Madam global brand, as well as the World Madam Group and the World Madam Foundation, the World Cultural Arts Organization, a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations, had its Chairman, Francesco Rizzo Marullo, present at the awards ceremony. Marullo awarded Anni Huang the title of "World Cultural Ambassador." Additionally, Joseph D. Cinque, the President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, bestowed upon Anni Huang the "Six-Star Diamond Award." This level of recognition has previously been awarded to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Anni Huang said, " The 21st century is a remarkable era of progress and vitality. Women are holding key positions in politics, economy, culture, and education, playing significant roles on the global platform. This era is worthy of celebration, instilling pride in women and empowering us to courageously chase our dreams. "

The WORLD MADAM global series of events was launched by Anni Huang in Canada, establishing a platform for collaboration and mutual inspiration among women leaders worldwide. This initiative champions projects that celebrate wisdom, beauty, talent, and cultural exchange.

Announcement of World Madam 

2022|2023 Award Winners List

1 - Global Honorary Overall Champion

2022: SHEIKHA MOZA BINT NASSER AL-MISSNED（Qatar）

2023: YAL ITZA APARICIO (Mexico)

2 - Global Overall Champion

2022: JASMINE LI (New Zealand)；LILI HAN（USA)

2023: VU THI THU HUONG (Singapore); SEPIDEH BEHBOUDI (Canada)

3 - Global Audience Choice Champion

2022: IRINA CHOY (Chinese Taipei) 

2023: VACANT

4 - Global Deportment Champion

2022: IRINA CHOY (Chinese Taipei)

2023: PEGGY DAVIES (Canada)

5 - Global Talent Champion

2022: DEENA THEODORA (Canada)

2023: JIANI LU (China)

6 - Global Intellectual Champion  

2022: SHUPING CAI (China)

2023: JANET XU (USA)

7 - Global Overall Runner-up

2022: NGALAI LEONG (Macao)

2023: DORIS WEILI DUAN-YOUNG (China)

8 - Global Overall Third Place

2022: ANNA CHEN (USA); CONNIE YING ZHANG (USA)

2023: JACQUELINE ANN WILLIAMS (New Zealand)

9 - Global Madam Most Outstanding Achievement

2022: MEILI CHANG (Chinese Taipei)

2023: ANGELA AQUINO (Philippines)

10 - Global Madam Best in Morality

2022: SHUPING CAI (China)

2023: SYLVIA RUIZ (USA)

11 - Global Madam Charity Ambassador

2022: MEILI CHANG (Chinese Taipei); AILEEN LEUNG(Australia)

2023: VU THI THU HUONG (Singapore)

12 - Global Madam Most Influential

2022: LILI HAN (USA)

2023: PASCALE VERRIER ELIE (Haiti); DONG AN (Canada)

13 - Global Madam Most Inspirational

2022: ANNA CHEN (USA)

2023: MARIA CHRISTINA ELIZABETH (South Africa)

14 - Global Madam Most Self Assured

2022: SHIRLYN MAE LIAO (Canada); BAIJUAN HUANG (Canada); HAIXIAN FANG (Australia)

2023: VACANT

15 - Global Madam Best in Family Harmony

2022: JASMINE LI (New Zealand) 

2023: JANET XU (USA)

16 - Global Madam Most Charming

2022: DEENA THEODORA (Canada)

2023: JIANI LU (China)

17 - Global Most Charismatic Madam

2022: NGALAI LEONG (Macao)

2023: SEPIDEH BEHBOUDI (Canada)

18 - Global Madam Most Fashionable

2022: PEGGY DAVIES (Canada)

2023: VU THI THU HUONG (Singapore)

19 - Global Madam Best Temperament

2022: VACANT

2023: DORIS WEILI DUAN-YOUNG (China)

List of Global Online Awardees 

for World Madam 2022|2023

1st Global Online Popular Vote Champion

2022：WENQIN HUANG (China)

2023：SOM SREYNEATH (Cambodia)

2nd Global Online Popular Vote Runner-up

2023：LINGZHI LU (China)

3rd Global Online Popular Vote Third place

2022：MANHENG SIN (Macao)       

2023：HUA ZHANG (China)