Angelina Jolie Thanked by Genocide Survivor for "Taking Justice Into Her Home and Hands"

Actress praises Dr. Hawa Abdi for her humanitarian work in Somalia at the Women in the World summit

By Rebecca Macatee Mar 09, 2012 4:09 AMTags
Angelina JolieJason Kempin/Getty Images

Angelina Jolie takes her role as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador to heart. 

Thursday night, the 36-year-old actress spoke to the plight of Somali refugees at the Women in the World summit in New York City.

Sandra Uwiringiyimana, a Rwandan genocide survivor, was overwhelmed when Charlie Rose asked if she'd like to introduce Jolie.

"Sure?" the teenager answered nervously. She then thanked Jolie for "taking justice into her home and hands" and "doing incredible things."

Jolie was clearly moved by the heartfelt introduction and clutched her heart as she took the stage: "Thank you, Sandra."

Wearing tailored charcoal pants, a simple white blazer and heels, she delved right into the story of Dr. Hawa Abdi, a Mogadishu-born gynecologist who, along with her daughters, provides a safe haven and medical services to thousands of refugees. 

And while Dr. Abdi's past 11 months have been trying, to say the least (think famine, a pneumonia epidemic and rebel forces uniting with al Qaida), she received some good news last week: She's been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.