A well-known Tongan personality, Joleen Mataele has been selected as a nominee by the United States Embassy in Suva for the International Women of Courage 2016 Awards, with winners to be announced in March in Washington D.C.

Joleen better known locally as "Joey" was presented with a nomination commemorative plaque by the U.S. Ambassador to Tonga Judith Cefkin on Tuesday, 23 February in Nuku'alofa. 

Nathan Carter, First Secretary at the U.S. Embassy, Suva, said Joleen was chosen for her Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Health and Women’s Rights advocacy.

Previous Tongan nominees included ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, Director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre and Betty Blake from Tonga Catholic Women’s League.

The U.S. Department of State award was established in 2007 honouring women around world who have exemplified exceptional courage and leadership. It has since recognisized champions who advocate for human rights, leaders who advance equality for women and girls, and activists who work tirelessly for social progress, often at great personal risk.

U.S. embassies from all over the world can nominate people for the award. But only six winners will be selected from all the major regions—representing Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Near East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Dr Daniel Russel, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Matthew Matthews, were also present at the event, as part of a high level U.S. Government Delegation visit to Tonga this week.