Kelsie Kimberlin receives the Royal Society of St. George Medal of Honor and UNA/USA Humanitarian Award for her creative advocacy for Ukraine, humanitarian efforts, and her precedent-setting legal initiative under the State Sponsors of Terrorism Act.
Royal Society of St. George, California Branch Announces 2025 St. George’s Day Gala Honoring Global Humanitarian and Scientific Leaders on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Hollywood Museum.
This black-tie event brought together international honorees, dignitaries, and thought leaders to celebrate extraordinary achievements in science, advocacy, and humanitarianism. The evening serves as the organization’s premier annual celebration of leadership, innovation, and compassion across a broad range of fields.
This year’s Gala will featured the presentation of the Royal Society of St. George Medal of Honor, the UNA/USA Humanitarian and Sustainability Awards, and appointments to distinguished honorary titles and roles within the Society. Recipients represent a global cross-section of individuals making impactful contributions to science, public service, humanitarian causes, and the arts.
Among the receipients this year was a Ukrainian – American singer Kelsie Kinberlin. She was honored to receive the RSSG Medal of Honor and UNA/USA Humanitarian Award for her creative advocacy for Ukraine, humanitarian efforts, and her precedent-setting legal initiative under the State Sponsors of Terrorism Act.
Kelsie Acceptance Speech
“Thank you for that kind introduction. I also want to thank the United Nations, the Royal Society of St. George, King Charles III, and Princess Karen Cantrell.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am deeply honored that I have been chosen to receive the United Nations Humanitarian Award and the St. Georges Medal of honor for my work supporting the people of Ukraine. I humbly accept these honors not for myself but for all the citizens of Ukraine who are courageously standing up and fighting for independence, freedom, territorial integrity and the rule of law. I accept these honors for all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect not only Ukraine but all civilized countries around the globe. I accept these honors for all the children of Ukraine who dream of the day when they can go to sleep to the sound of their mother’s lullabies rather than blare of air raid sirens and missile explosions.
Ukraine has been at war for 11 long years, and every day Russia kills and wounds innocent civilians who are simply going about their day at school, at church, at the market, or at home with their family. Every death or injury is another future lost or shattered.
I am American-Ukrainian and I spent my childhood summers in Ukraine in my mother’s small village surrounded by endless fields of sunflowers. It was really heaven on earth without a care in the world. My cousin Andrusha was always by my side as we played and traveled to the Black and Azov Seas. In 2023, I was in Ukraine on business when Andrusha came to Kyiv to join the Armed Forces. He was only 20 years old but he, like many Ukrainians, felt the need and patriotic duty to defend his country. I had mixed feelings but I was proud to see him so handsome in his uniform.
Andrusha was so talented that he was chosen to join the elite Third Special Assault Brigade. He did not want us to worry so he never told us that he had asked to be deployed at the front line near his small village. On February 22, 2024, he was killed while protecting his fellow soldiers from a massive Russian attack. He was 21 years old.
Last October, I traveled to Ukraine to find answers about Andrusha’s death. I spent a week at the front and evacuated his grandparents from his village to Kyiv. What I learned from my trip was that every single Ukrainian has an Andrusha story yet they remain strong, resilient and committed to victory against evil and oppression.
While I was in Ukraine, I filmed a movie about this collective fight of good against evil. And when I came back to America, I began working with Human Rights lawyers to file a historic lawsuit under the State Sponsors of Terrorism Act to hold those accountable who killed Andrusha. That suit is not just for him, but for the tens of thousands of others who have lost loved ones in Ukraine.
In closing, I want to echo the words of President Zelensky by urging each and every one of you to support Ukrainians with your words, your actions, and your money. Together, we can be victorious not just for Ukraine but for all humanity.
Thank you again for this honor.”
Scientific Honors: Breakthrough in Clean Energy
Among the most celebrated achievements of 2025 is the groundbreaking success at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility (NIF), where fusion ignition was achieved for the first time in history. To recognize this momentous advancement, RSSG CA presented the RSSG Medal of Honor to four key scientists:
Dr. Debra Callahan – received the RSSG Medal of Honor for her pioneering work in inertial confinement fusion and mentorship in laser-driven ignition research.
Dr. Omar Hurricane – honored with the RSSG Medal of Honor for his leadership as Chief Scientist of the ICF Program and contributions to high-energy-density physics.
Dr. Andrea Kritcher – awarded the RSSG Medal of Honor for her record-breaking design innovations in nuclear fusion and her leadership as a woman in STEM.
Dr. Alex Zylstra – received the RSSG Medal of Honor for his precision-driven experimental work and expertise in target diagnostics crucial to ignition.
Together, these scientists have accomplished a feat long thought impossible, ushering in a new era in sustainable energy development and global environmental progress.
Humanitarian and Civic Honours
The Gala also honor individuals whose compassion and leadership have brought awareness, healing, and transformative changes to their communities and beyond:
Temukung Baroness Miranda Kramer – received the King Charles III Leadership Award and will be appointed as Vice President of the Society for her decades of healthcare service, international humanitarianism, and philanthropic leadership.
HSH Dr. Spencer M Dayton – received the RSSG Medal of Honor for Humanitarian Works and will be appointed as the new Secretary of the Society. He is recognized for his work in education, nonprofit leadership, and public policy advocacy in health equity and civic engagement.
Kelsie Kimberlin – received the RSSG Medal of Honor and UNA/USA Humanitarian Award for her creative advocacy for Ukraine, humanitarian efforts, and her precedent-setting legal initiative under the State Sponsors of Terrorism Act.
Raj Shah – honored with the King Charles III Leadership Award, UNA/USA Humanitarian Award, and UNA/USA Sustainability Award for founding Filium and advancing civic and environmental innovation.
Dr. Lingyun Xiang – received the RSSG Medal of Honor and UNA/USA Humanitarian Award for his work as a global economist, educator, and public welfare leader across international sectors.
Donelle Dadigan – honored with the title of Honorary Lifetime Member of RSSG CA and appointed Chairman of Special Projects for her leadership in cultural preservation, public philanthropy, and arts advocacy.
Ratu Muda Princess Karen Cantrell – received the United Peacekeepers Federal Council Global Leadership Achievement Award for her distinguished service in international diplomacy, cultural preservation, and peace-building initiatives.
Special Guests
The evening will also welcome several internationally recognized special guests:
Dr. Aphinita Chaichana – Global President of the United Peacekeepers Federal Council (UNPKFC), Ms. Chaichana presented the Global Leadership Achievement Award. She also serves as Special Advisor to the UNA-USA and was recently appointed Global Chairman for Southeast Asia to the United Nations Association Coachella Valley of California Chapter. Her leadership advances UNPKFC’s mission to promote peace, justice, education, and equality in all dimensions for a sustainable and inclusive world.
Mr. Ahmed Fathi – A U.N. Correspondent, Author, and Managing Editor of ATN-American Television News, and a Board Trustee of RSSG CA. He appointed President of the Society at the upcoming Gala. With decades of experience in economics, international relations, media, and diplomacy, he is a recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award-Gold Medal (J.R. Biden), the UNPKFC Medal, and an honorary Doctorate in Political Science. He has reported from across the five continents, interviewed world leaders, and serves as a multilingual voice for international cooperation and development.
Ms. Victoria Bousis – A visionary filmmaker and creative technologist, Ms. Bousis delivered the evening’s keynote address titled “How AI Helps Creativity and Connections.” She also showcased her award-winning VR documentary Stay Alive My Son, which tells the story of a Cambodian refugee and has influenced global refugee policy through immersive storytelling. Ms. Bousis will also be receiving the UNA-USA Humanitarian Award.
About the Royal Society of St. George – California Branch
The Royal Society of St. George (RSSG), founded in 1894 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1963, serves to promote English heritage, values, and service. Chartered in California on December 12, 2016, the Royal Society of St. George – California Branch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educational, cultural, patriotic, and philanthropic service. Open to all residents of California and the American Southwest who share an interest in English heritage and civic engagement, the Society fosters community through events, partnerships, and charitable efforts.
Inspired by the enduring symbol of St. George, we proudly call ourselves modern-day dragon slayers—champions of goodwill and defenders against the “dragons” of injustice in our world. Through fundraising, public programs, and outreach, we aim to be noble stewards of global citizenship, committed to uplifting lives across California, the United States, and England.
Tags: EMPR Projects Kelsie Kimberlin Ukraine USA
