Yoko Ono Bestows the John Lennon Peace Grant to Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga's commitment to peace, love and understanding has landed her a special award from Yoko Ono.

The experimental artist presented Lady Gaga with with the LennonOno Grant for Peace on Oct. 9. The ceremony took place in Kollafjörður Bay, Iceland, where the Imagine Peace Tower, constructed in honor of the late Beatles legend, was unveiled in 2007.

But the larger-than-life popstar, 26, didn't just score a trophy for her good works, she also received $50,000 to continue her peace work.

"I will be donating this grant to the Elton John AIDS foundation and I will be working closely with them to ensure that the money goes specifically to those orphans and disadvantaged youth in America born with HIV or AIDS," Lady Gaga said of the grant funds.

The Mother Monster's achievements include establishing the Born This Way Foundation, which "celebrates individuality and empowers young people," and contributing extensively to both earthquake relief in Haiti since 2010 and tsunami aid in Japan last year. 

"Lady Gaga is in a position of number one as a singer-songwriter," Ono told Reuters Television. "And when you are number one you don't want to risk yourself. And she did."

During her acceptance speech, Gaga challenged others not to give into the forces of cynicism. "I dare you to be compassionate in a cynical age," Gaga said.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/yoko-ono-bestows-john-lennon-peace-grant-lady-gaga/1-a-493085

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