Heidi Levine is the Inaugural Winner of the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award

Mar 25, 2015

Liron Samuels

The award, given by the International Women’s Media Foundation, was created in honor of Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus, who was killed while covering the 2014 presidential election in Afghanistan.

Heidi Levine is an American freelance photojournalist based in Jerusalem, who has covered the revolutions in Egypt, Libya and Syria as well as the Israel-Lebanon war and several conflicts in the Gaza Strip. She has also worked in India, Jordan, Iraq, Sweden, Afghanistan and Georgia.

“Her courage and commitment to the story in Gaza is unwavering. She documents tragic events under dire circumstances while displaying a depth of compassion for the people she ncounters,” wrote the jury about Levine.

Women mourn during the funeral of the boys killed by an Israeli naval bombardment in the port of Gaza, Gaza City, July 16, 2014. Four boys died instantly during an Israeli naval bombardment in the port of Gaza, a fifth boy died shortly after the attack in hospital. Israel stepped up its attacks on July 16 by bombing the homes of Hamas leaders after the Islamist movement rejected a truce proposal and instead launched dozens more rockets into Israel. Heidi Levine /The National/Sipa Press. — Women mourn during the funeral of the boys killed by an Israeli naval bombardment in the port of Gaza, Gaza City, July 16, 2014. Four boys died instantly during an Israeli naval bombardment in the port of Gaza, a fifth boy died shortly after the attack in hospital. Israel stepped up its attacks on July 16 by bombing the homes of Hamas leaders after the Islamist movement
rejected a truce proposal and instead launched dozens more rockets into Israel. Heidi Levine/The National/Sipa Press.

“I am honored to be recognized with this award dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Anja,” said Levine, adding that “Anja was both a photojournalist and a person I admired, respected, and often consulted with in the feld under extreme circumstances. There was an incredible professional bond and sense of trust, a sisterhood so many of us felt, and she is greatly missed by us all”.

Hidya Atash stands on the top floor of her home as she overlooks the destruction in Shu jayea at dawn Aug. 8, 2014. Her family's home was hit two weeks ago by a warning rocket and the family of 40 people fled. When they returned during the recent cease-fire, they discovered their home was heavily damaged during the fighting. — Hidya Atash stands on the top floor of her home as she overlooks the destruction in Shujayea at dawn Aug. 8, 2014. Her family’s home was hit two weeks ago by a warning rocket and the family of 40 people fled. When they returned during the recent cease-fire, they discovered their home was heavily damaged during the fighting. Heidi Levine/The National/Sipa Press

Other than the 1^st prize and $20,000 awarded to Levine, the jury also recognized two other photographers who received an honorable mention.

Palestinians collect religious books in the rubble of the Al - Qassam mosque in Nuseirat camp located in the middle of the Gaza Strip , July 9, 2014. Israeli warplanes carried out 30 air strikes over Gaza on Saturday. Heidi Levine /The National/Sipa Press — Palestinians collect religious books in the rubble of the Al-Qassam mosque in Nuseirat camp located in the middle of the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2014. Israeli warplanes carried out 30 air strikes over Gaza on Saturday. Heidi Levine/The National/Sipa Press

Anastasia Vlasova and AP photographer Rebecca Blackwell were recognized for their coverage of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine the Central African Republic, respectively.

Women bare their chests in a traditional sign of placing a curse, after at leasttwo people were injured by passing Chadian troops, during a protest outside MpokoAirport in Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the entrance to the airport carrying signs protestingChadian forces and expressing support for French troops and other regional Africanforces. At least two people were wounded as pickups of Chadian soldiers sped through the gathered crowd firing off several rounds in the continued unrest. Rebecca Blackwell.

“We are proud to honor and celebrate the courage of women photojournalists who risk their lives documenting confict and war while shedding light on moments of humanity,” said Elisa Lees Muñoz, IWMF Executive Director. “The images captured by the award nominees represent a collective vantage point on some of this decade’s most dangerous conficts. Their work helps us better understand the world and inspires us to take action”.

Two local resident hide in a basement room as 'Grad' rockets fire at the neighborhood of Debaltsevo, Donetsk oblast. Heavy fighting for controlling Debaltseve as a strategic point with roads to Donetsk, Lugansk and Rostov-on- Don has last since end of August 2014 when Debaltseve was taken undercontrol by Ukrainian army. Anastasia Vlasova. — Two local resident hide in a basement room as ‘Grad’ rockets fire at the neighborhood of Debaltsevo, Donetsk oblast. Heavy fighting for controlling Debaltseve as a strategic point with roads to Donetsk, Lugansk and Rostov-on-Don has last since end of August 2014 when Debaltseve was taken undercontrol by Ukrainian army. Anastasia Vlasova.

Lucky for these photographers their government didn’t confiscate their passports, as was the case for Japanese war photographer Yuichi Sugimoto.

According to the IWMF website, the award was created in 2014 with a $1 million gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and it will be given annually to a woman photojournalist whose work reflects the courage and dedication of Anja Niedringhaus

The award will be given to Levine at the official ceremony to be held in Berlin on June 25, 2015.

Angry residents shout accusations at French soldiers as they deposit a manwounded by French gunfire on the steps of the building where the commander of theSangaris forces was meeting with leaders of the mostly Muslim Kilometer 5 neighborhood of Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Relationsbetween French forces and Bangui's Muslim community have been strained in recentweeks, with many Muslims accusing the Sangaris of taking sides against them. Monday's meeting had been seen as a step in the right direction by many members ofthe community. Rebecca Blackwell. — Angry residents shout accusations at French soldiers as they deposit a manwounded by French gunfire on the steps of the building where the commander of theSangaris forces was meeting with leaders of the mostly Muslim Kilometer 5 neighborhood of Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Relationsbetween French forces and Bangui’s Muslim community have been strained in recentweeks, with many Muslims accusing the Sangaris of taking sides against them. Monday’s meeting had been seen as a step in the right direction by many members ofthe community. Rebecca Blackwell.

Local residents sit in a bus as they wait to evacuation from Debaltseve of Donetsk area, Ukraine, 03 February 2015. According to the UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the number of people who have been killed in the conflict in eastern Ukraine has climbed to 5,358, with the escalating violence claiming an average of 10 lives per day in the past few weeks. Anastasia Vlasova. — Local residents sit in a bus as they wait to evacuation from Debaltseve of Donetsk area, Ukraine, 03 February 2015. According to the UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the number of people who have been killed in the conflict in eastern Ukraine has climbed to 5,358, with the escalating violence claiming an average of 10 lives per day in the past few weeks. Anastasia Vlasova.

We recently featured a post about gender based photography groups. What are your thoughts about gender based photography awards?

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Liron Samuels

Liron Samuels is a wildlife and commercial photographer based in Israel. When he isn’t waking up at 4am to take photos of nature, he stays awake until 4am taking photos of the night skies or time lapses. You can see more of his work on his website or follow him on Facebook.

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2 responses to “Heidi Levine is the Inaugural Winner of the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award”

Paul Menard

Mar 26, 2015

powerful images :)

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Anthony Mehlhaff

Mar 26, 2015

Amazing

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