When searching for this year's Inspiration Award recipient, WNBA president Donna Orender hoped to find a world leader.
She got one. The WNBA honored the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice.
Orender said she wanted someone who had a strong background in social and cultural issues.
"She really was the perfect choice," she said.
The New York Liberty's Cappie Pondexter and Washington Mystics' Katie Smith presented Rice with the award Wednesday in Manhattan.
Rice talked about how sports can bring people together, using the World Cup as an example.
"Sports remind us what humanity has in common," Rice said.
The event focused on the plight of girls in developing countries. Rice spoke of girls in their early teens forced to marry older men, contracting AIDS from their partners and not having access to education. At Wednesday's event, the league announced that WNBA Cares will partner with Girl Up, a U.N. Foundation program that helps at-risk girls abroad.
Several video montages featured WNBA players such as Ruth Riley, Becky Hammon and Tamika Catchings involved in charities around the world.
"Sports truly are the global language," Rice said.
Rice is the fifth individual to receive the award. Previous recipients include former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
Zina Kumok
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