A school that educates girls to become future leaders will celebrate its 10th anniversary by recognizing local women for their contributions to women's health and welfare.

Seattle Girls School is honoring UW Epidemiology Professor Laura Koutsky for her two decades of research that led to the world's first human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer. A great profile of Koutsky can be found here.

Students will also honor Nan Stoops, executive director of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, for her work over the last 30 years as a trainer, organizer and advocate against violence. Both awards will be given out at a student-hosted lunch Tuesday at the Seattle Sheraton.

BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER/SEATTLE TIMES

Dr. Laura Koutsky is credited with developing the world's first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine along with Dr. Kathrin Jansen, a yeast expert at Merck Research.

On Wednesday, Melinda Gates is receiving a Global Trailblazer Award from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for her work promoting social justice.

In Seattle on Thursday, Catherine Bertini, the former director of the United Nations World Food Programme, will speak at RDI's annual International Women's Day lunch focusing on land rights.

A couple of years ago when Bertini first left the World Food Programme and became a senior fellow at the Gates Foundation, I asked her why food aid programs had not been more successful and I remember being surprised by her answer. She told me the main reason is that they had failed to adequately support the role of women in agriculture.

Women produce as much as 80 percent of the world's food, but they own less than 2 percent of the world's land, according to RDI.

Another local organization calling attention to women's rights is the Jolkona Foundation, which has a page dedicated to projects supporting women around the world.

Nothing says more about the challenges they still face than the title of one project: "Free and educate enslaved Nepali girls."

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, writer Nicholas Kristof argues for three basic steps to improve lives of women: girls education, better diets and help starting small businesses.