Antonia Varela has been awarded the Gold Medal of the Canary Islands for 2024.

As is customary each year, the Government of the Canary Islands is bestowing the Gold Medals of the Canary Islands. This is the highest civil distinction awarded by the Government of the Canary Islands to individuals, entities, and groups that have worked for the benefit of the Canary Islands society in different fields. The Gold Medal of the Canary Islands was established by decree in 1986 and is presented annually as part of the celebrations of the Day of the Canary Islands. Yesterday, May 30, the Day of the Canary Islands, 13 Gold Medals of the Canary Islands were awarded in an institutional ceremony held at the Pérez Galdós Theater in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In addition to Canary Islands organizations and personalities such as the Civil Protection Association "Valle de El Golfo," Valeria Castro, and Dr. René de Lamar del Risco, Antonia Varela, a doctor in Astrophysics and researcher at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), was awarded the Gold Medal of the Canary Islands 2024 for her work in the field of science and technology, as well as for her tireless promotion of the role of women in these sectors.

Mr. Varela, who is also a member of the IAC's Sky Quality Group, president of the Association of Businesswomen, Executives and Professionals BPW Canarias, and director of the Museum of Science and the Cosmos of Tenerife, attended the institutional ceremony at the Pérez Galdós Theater. The event was presided over by Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands Government; Astrid Pérez, the president of the Canary Islands Parliament; Manuel Domínguez, the vice president of the Canary Islands Government; and the president of the jury of the Canary Islands Awards. The event was also attended by the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán, councilors of the Government of the Canary Islands, as well as authorities of the Island Councils, and other social and political representatives, such as José Carlos Francisco, Director of the Economic and Social Council.

Antonia Varela with José Carlos Francisco, Director of the Economic and Social Council of the Government of the Canary Islands and President of the Starlight Foundation.

Varela expressed her gratitude for the award, stating that she accepted it "with great humility and responsibility." She emphasized that the recognition provides an opportunity to continue her work in the care and preservation of the Canary Islands' skies, as well as to promote the role of women in science.

Indeed, as director of the Starlight Foundation, Varela has promoted astrotourism as a model of sustainable tourism and female empowerment. Additionally, as president of BPW Canarias, she spearheaded the SDG18 initiative at the UN to transform the night sky into a sustainable development goal. Additionally, her research and studies in the field of astrophysics have been of international relevance, as evidenced by her article in the prestigious journal Science on the problem of light pollution and other threats to the night sky.

The director of the Starlight Foundation has expressed gratitude to the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo of Tenerife for the award and the trust they have placed in her work. She has also extended the merit to all those who have helped and supported her throughout her career, particularly to the entities of which she is a member or directs.