Presentation of the Gentleman of Distinction Award

to Mark Steyn

as delivered by

Abby Moffat

at the

Independent Women's Forum 2017 Annual Awards Gala

November 15, 2017

Abby Moffat:

This is quite a night.  I really want to thank everyone in the room for all that you do to help bring the conservative movement forward. 

We have a lot of work ahead, but with all of you, all of us working together, we have great hope and America is a wonderful country. 

Independent Women's Forum, unlike many other women’s organizations, recognizes that the biggest battles for women’s right are in other places besides the United States. 

Our battles need to be waged overseas, because many women are being treated like second-class citizens.  Yes.  And, sadly, it’s not just in Africa, or the Middle East, or Asia, but it is now coming to Europe.  It’s seen as culturally accessible and appropriate to have women be abused, and unfortunately these traditions are coming to Europe with waves of immigration and the failure of assimilation, and this could be a prelude to what happens here in the United States, except with all of you in the room fighting, we will win, God willing. 

Feminists and elitists on the Left are unwilling to take note of the trend and the true threat that poses to the Western society, to our national security, and particularly to women.  But there is someone who is standing up and speaking out about the dangers of what is happening here without apology to defend Western values, including that women are full, equal members of society. 

That is who we are honoring today with our Gentleman of Distinction Award, Mark Steyn. 

Mark Steyn is such an accomplished author he has written many books, including America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It, After America, Lights Out: Islam, Free Speech and The Twilight of the West, and his most recent, The Undocumented Mark Steyn, and several others. 

He launched the Steynonline website, that so many members can get his thoughts, everything from culture, to politics, to war, and through video and commentary, it is delivered in a wonderful way with, of course, a great sense of humor.  

He’s not afraid of telling the truth.  His truth telling has not earned him applauses everywhere, he has been subject to vicious attacks, and a push to have his work banned in Canada, where he hails from, under the guise of calling it hate speech.  Never one to be cowed by the Liberal media mob, Steyn fought back against the attack of free speech that led to the repeal of the notorious Section 13 hate speech law.  This is the battle that he recounts in his book Lights Out: Islam, Free Speech and The Twilight of the West

He is a popular and often hilarious guest host on the Rush Limbaugh Show, as well as frequent guest on other shows including television shows, particularly Tucker Carlson. But this is only part of his talents.  He also has a Christmas album, Making Spirits Bright, reached number four on the jazz chart.  But tonight IWF is proud to give him the honor of year’s award, Gentleman of Distinction, for not being afraid to name the dangers that truly threaten women’s progress and to standing up to women’s equality around the world.  Let’s give a thank you to Mark.