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Women leaders from across the world gathered on Capitol Hill for the inaugural ‘She Leads the Nations’ Global Summit and Launch, which took place recently in the US House of Congress in Washington, DC.
Founded by Liz Doyle, ‘She Leads the Nations’ is the global expansion of ‘She Leads America’, a movement established in 2021 to honour women leaders serving across government, media, business, education, healthcare, defence and culture.
The Global Summit culminated in an official ‘Launch and Honouring Reception’ earlier this month, recognising 14 exceptional international women leaders whose lives and leadership exemplify courage, faith, service and influence at the highest levels of society.
“These women represent what is possible when faith, excellence and courage meet,” said Liz Doyle, Founder and Executive Director. “They are shaping nations, defending freedom, serving the vulnerable and standing boldly for truth in the public square.”
Among the 14 award recipients was Saira Peter from Pakistan, the first Sufi Opera singer.
Before calling Saira Peter to the stage, Doyle praised her for taking Shah Latif’s Sufi (spiritual) values of peace and harmony worldwide through music, pioneering the new music genre of Sufi Opera, promoting artistic excellence and tirelessly working to empower marginalised young women for leadership.
US Congressman Bill Huizenga (Michigan) opened the awards ceremony, highly commending the initiative and expressing his full support. Upon receiving the award from Founding Director Liz Doyle (USA) and Helena Croft MBE (UK), Saira highlighted her efforts in bringing Sufi (spiritual) melodies to vulnerable women and children, affirming their dignity with the hope and joy that comes from God alone.
Saira Peter was further praised for her roles as Director of NJ Arts London (opened by Sir Cliff Richard OBE) and Founder of Saira Arts Academy Lahore (opened by then Fed. Min. Culture Syed Jamal Shah), where she trains young women in opera.
In November 2025, she featured her students in her solo concert at Sir Syed Memorial Auditorium, Islamabad. The Sufi Opera star was specially invited from London to sing at the US House of Congress during the opening ceremony of ‘She Leads the Nations’, where she proudly wore a Pakistani dress. The strength of her voice impressed her hosts so much that she was requested to perform twice during the summit. She dedicated the opera aria ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ (G.F. Handel) to oppressed women worldwide.
A concluding Congressional breakfast at the US House of Congress, brought together the award recipients, US members of Congress and senior level international government leaders to discuss global issues around the oppression of women.
- You desk!
