Marie Gailová receives Alice Garrigue Masaryk Human Rights Award

The Alice Garrigue Masaryk Human Rights Award, presented by the U.S. Embassy in Prague, was awarded this year to Marie Gailová, chair of the non-profit organization Romodrom. She was honored for her lifelong dedication to defending the rights of the Romani community. U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet presented the award during a ceremony on Wednesday, the embassy announced.

The award, named after the eldest daughter of Czechoslovakia's first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, was established by the U.S. Embassy in 2004 to recognize outstanding contributions to human rights. It is traditionally awarded near International Human Rights Day on December 10.

Previous recipients include Magda Faltová, Anna Šabatová, and Šimon Pánek.