News Release:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Our most esteemed award for outstanding and sustained contributions to the cause of civil liberties and freedom.
2020 University of Washington Center for Human Rights
Accepted by Angelina Godoy on behalf of UWCHR, for long-standing dedication to social change and justice, and the rigorous research and partnerships in response to Washington’s role in the immigration detention/deportation pipeline. The ACLU-WA and our allies rely on the Center’s solid data and analysis to carry out our work on the ground.
2019 None given
2018 Kathleen Taylor
For four decades of advancing freedom, fairness, and justice. Kathleen was the executive director of the ACLU of Washington from 1980 to 2019 leading the organization as it grew from a 2-person to nearly 50-person staff and during a time when the ACLU-WA was a leader on issues that continue to be of crucial concern today, ranging from WA's successful initiative in 1991 that created state abortion protections that do not depend on Roe v Wade to the advancement of important reforms to laws that have long oppressed low income and minority populations, including drug laws, criminal procedures, and police conduct.
2017 None given
2016 Marsha Botzer
For being a leading pioneer, activist, and educator on behalf of the civil rights of transgender people. She has displayed courage in taking stands for the causes of sexual minorities long before they had even gained public awareness.
2015 Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
For promoting justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through legal services, advocacy, and community education. NWIRP has done outstanding work to ensure that our legal system enforces the guarantees of the Bill of Rights to all people in America, citizens and non-citizens alike.
2014 Floyd Jones and Alene Morris
Alene, for her longstanding commitment and persistence to challenging traditional power structures and urging women to become leaders; and Floyd, for his unwavering support of liberty and fairness for the last 40 years as a wise financial advisor to the ACLU-WA, and a generous supporter whose gifts allowed the ACLU-WA to significantly expand the strength and sophistication of our work.
2013 Jackie McMurtrie
For her devotion to the pursuit of justice on behalf of individuals wrongly convicted and imprisoned in Washington state. She founded the nation’s third Innocence Project and has built it from a small volunteer program into a prestigious clinical program involving scores of students and dozens of releases.
2012 Diane Narasaki
For remarkable leadership and advocacy spanning more than 30 years to advance freedom, justice and fairness, especially for Asian Pacific Islanders and immigrant communities. Her strategic and inclusive leadership style has brought many people together to advance racial justice, police accountability, voting rights and citizenship rights.
2011 Peter Greenfield
For his decades of representation of vulnerable populations, domestic violence victims, and those daring to challenge police practices on constitutional grounds. He also handled the landmark 1974 case Spence v. Washington, in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that the First Amendment protected a war protestor's right to display an American flag with a peace symbol on it.
2010 None given
2009 Phil Bereano
For a lifetime of tireless activism advancing civil rights for LGBT and people with AIDS, and for pioneering advocacy to address technology’s impacts on civil liberties.
2008 Hubert Locke
For his decades of committed leadership, scholarship and public service in defense of civil and human rights. Locke has been an advocate for social justice with a special interest in fairness in the criminal justice system. He as often tackled civil liberties issues in his weekly column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
2007 Wing Luke Asian Art Museum and Executive Director Ron Chew
For showcasing the history of Asian Americans in the struggle for civil rights.
Wing Luke has been a leader in telling the story of Asian American efforts to achieve dignity and equality. Ron Chew has involved numerous segments of the community in the museum’s work.
2006 Marcy Bloom
For providing courageous leadership in advocating for civil liberties and the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Bloom served for 18 years as the executive director and guiding force of the Aradia Women’s Health Center, Seattle’s first nonprofit abortion and gynecological health center. Aradia stands as an inspiration and model for clinics across the nation.
2005 None Given
2004 Candace Morgan
For championing intellectual freedom in libraries and on the Internet in her career with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. There, for the past twenty-one years, she has made intellectual freedom the cornerstone of her work in librarianship. Morgan has done extensive public advocacy work, including testifying before the U.S. Senate, and helping to set the national standard for intellectual freedom on the internet in libraries and public spaces.
2003 Larry Gossett
For his life-long advocacy for civil rights, social justice, and civil liberties. Gossett worked tirelessly on behalf of communities of color, challenging racism in the schools, criminal justice system and local government. His efforts have not been limited to people of color. LGBTs, protestors, and jail inmates have benefited from his leadership.
2002 None Given
2001 John Fox and Jean Colman
For their leadership and compassion in empowering forgotten members of society. John Fox, as head of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, has devoted a quarter-century to advancing the rights of tenants, the homeless, and street youth, and has fostered the recognition that civil liberties are an essential part of that struggle.
Jean Colman, as head of the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition since 1987, has worked with low-income women to help them insist on fair treatment, change unjust state policies, and break the myths about who received public assistance and why.
2000 Alan and Andrea Rabinowitz
For their leadership in philanthropic organizations that advance grassroots democracy, equality, empowerment through education, and freedom. They are nationally recognized thinkers and mentors in social change philanthropy and, together, have guided numerous foundations devoted to funding progressive causes.
1999 Bill Wassmuth
For consistent and outstanding contributions to the causes of civil rights and civil liberties, including more than 30 years of courageous effort to end bigotry in the Northwest through his leadership of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment.
1998 Planned Parenthood and Lee Minto
For their leadership in keeping Washington in the forefront of reproductive freedom by working steadfastly to ensure the choices of motherhood, abortion, and adoption are legal, safe and accessible to all.
1997 Jacob Lawrence
One of America’s most productive and celebrated visual artists for his powerful portrayals of the struggle of African Americans for freedom and dignity. More than any other prominent American visual artist, his imagery conveys a sense of struggle and hope associated with African American life.
1996 Thomas W. Hillier II
Federal public defender for his commitment to the right of indigent individuals to counsel when facing criminal charges and for his efforts to advance fairness in criminal law.
1995 Washington Supreme Court Justice Robert Utter, retired
For his support of individual liberty and equal access to justice, including his pioneering work using the state constitution as a basis for extending civil liberties and his eloquent opposition to the death penalty.
1993 Ricardo R. Garcia
For his lifelong commitment to improving opportunities and promoting equality for low-income people of all races, especially migrant and seasonal farm workers and immigrants from Mexico.
1992 Judge Solie M. Ringold, retired
For his lifelong contributions to the preservation of civil rights and liberties as an activist, a lawyer and a judge.
1991 Henry Gay
Publisher and columnist for the Shelton-Mason County Journal for his “ferocious independence” and unwavering defense of free speech and the Bill of Rights.
1990 Cherry Kinoshita
For her leadership in the successful effort to gain redress for Japanese Americans who were interned during WW II.
1989 Mary Gallwey
Former ACLU-WA Board President and lifelong civil libertarian, for her contributions to the ACLU at both the local and national levels.
1988 Alex Gottfried and Art Kobler
For their long service to the ACLU-WA Board - each served for more than 30 years - and their guidance of the organization during that period.
1987 John Caughlan
Seattle attorney for his lifelong work for civil liberties, including his defense of free speech for the local Communist Party during the 1930s, which subsequently cost him his job.
1986 None Given
1985 Frederick T. Haley
Head of the Brown and Haley Candy Company, for his outstanding support for civil rights, racial equality, equal opportunity and opposition to McCarthy-era witch hunts.
1984 Ed Henry, receiving for himself and the other founders of the ACLU-WA
For their work during the 1930s to establish a formal ACLU structure in Washington State.
1983 Arthur Barnett
A long-time Seattle civil rights lawyer and social justice activist, for his work against internment laws and his representation of Gordon Hirabayashi.
1982 Carl Maxey
A Spokane attorney, for his work to end the discriminatory practices of public restaurants and private clubs in eastern Washington as well as his work for the separation of church and state.
1981 Church Council of Greater Seattle
For its consistent support of equality, justice and human rights.
1979 Edward R. Murrow (posthumously)
For excellence in broadcasting and attention to civil liberties and civil rights issues.
1978 KING Broadcasting
For its leadership in the broadcast industry in the area of civil liberties and civil rights.
1977 None Given
1976 Francis Hoague and Kenneth MacDonald
Seattle attorneys, both past presidents of the ACLU-WA, for their distinguished record of service to the ACLU and the Bill of Rights.
1975 Justice William O. Douglas
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Douglas was given the award for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the cause of civil liberties and freedom.
1974 Dr. Giovanni Costigan
Former University of Washington Professor of History for his service on the ACLU’s National Advisory Council and his service to the ACLU-WA.
1973 Dr. Melvin Rader
For his vigilant fight against the state’s version of the Un-American Activities Committee and his defense of the ACLU against charges of communism.
2020 University of Washington Center for Human Rights
Accepted by Angelina Godoy on behalf of UWCHR, for long-standing dedication to social change and justice, and the rigorous research and partnerships in response to Washington’s role in the immigration detention/deportation pipeline. The ACLU-WA and our allies rely on the Center’s solid data and analysis to carry out our work on the ground.
2019 None given
2018 Kathleen Taylor
For four decades of advancing freedom, fairness, and justice. Kathleen was the executive director of the ACLU of Washington from 1980 to 2019 leading the organization as it grew from a 2-person to nearly 50-person staff and during a time when the ACLU-WA was a leader on issues that continue to be of crucial concern today, ranging from WA's successful initiative in 1991 that created state abortion protections that do not depend on Roe v Wade to the advancement of important reforms to laws that have long oppressed low income and minority populations, including drug laws, criminal procedures, and police conduct.
2017 None given
2016 Marsha Botzer
For being a leading pioneer, activist, and educator on behalf of the civil rights of transgender people. She has displayed courage in taking stands for the causes of sexual minorities long before they had even gained public awareness.
2015 Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
For promoting justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through legal services, advocacy, and community education. NWIRP has done outstanding work to ensure that our legal system enforces the guarantees of the Bill of Rights to all people in America, citizens and non-citizens alike.
2014 Floyd Jones and Alene Morris
Alene, for her longstanding commitment and persistence to challenging traditional power structures and urging women to become leaders; and Floyd, for his unwavering support of liberty and fairness for the last 40 years as a wise financial advisor to the ACLU-WA, and a generous supporter whose gifts allowed the ACLU-WA to significantly expand the strength and sophistication of our work.
2013 Jackie McMurtrie
For her devotion to the pursuit of justice on behalf of individuals wrongly convicted and imprisoned in Washington state. She founded the nation’s third Innocence Project and has built it from a small volunteer program into a prestigious clinical program involving scores of students and dozens of releases.
2012 Diane Narasaki
For remarkable leadership and advocacy spanning more than 30 years to advance freedom, justice and fairness, especially for Asian Pacific Islanders and immigrant communities. Her strategic and inclusive leadership style has brought many people together to advance racial justice, police accountability, voting rights and citizenship rights.
2011 Peter Greenfield
For his decades of representation of vulnerable populations, domestic violence victims, and those daring to challenge police practices on constitutional grounds. He also handled the landmark 1974 case Spence v. Washington, in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that the First Amendment protected a war protestor's right to display an American flag with a peace symbol on it.
2010 None given
2009 Phil Bereano
For a lifetime of tireless activism advancing civil rights for LGBT and people with AIDS, and for pioneering advocacy to address technology’s impacts on civil liberties.
2008 Hubert Locke
For his decades of committed leadership, scholarship and public service in defense of civil and human rights. Locke has been an advocate for social justice with a special interest in fairness in the criminal justice system. He as often tackled civil liberties issues in his weekly column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
2007 Wing Luke Asian Art Museum and Executive Director Ron Chew
For showcasing the history of Asian Americans in the struggle for civil rights.
Wing Luke has been a leader in telling the story of Asian American efforts to achieve dignity and equality. Ron Chew has involved numerous segments of the community in the museum’s work.
2006 Marcy Bloom
For providing courageous leadership in advocating for civil liberties and the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Bloom served for 18 years as the executive director and guiding force of the Aradia Women’s Health Center, Seattle’s first nonprofit abortion and gynecological health center. Aradia stands as an inspiration and model for clinics across the nation.
2005 None Given
2004 Candace Morgan
For championing intellectual freedom in libraries and on the Internet in her career with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. There, for the past twenty-one years, she has made intellectual freedom the cornerstone of her work in librarianship. Morgan has done extensive public advocacy work, including testifying before the U.S. Senate, and helping to set the national standard for intellectual freedom on the internet in libraries and public spaces.
2003 Larry Gossett
For his life-long advocacy for civil rights, social justice, and civil liberties. Gossett worked tirelessly on behalf of communities of color, challenging racism in the schools, criminal justice system and local government. His efforts have not been limited to people of color. LGBTs, protestors, and jail inmates have benefited from his leadership.
2002 None Given
2001 John Fox and Jean Colman
For their leadership and compassion in empowering forgotten members of society. John Fox, as head of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, has devoted a quarter-century to advancing the rights of tenants, the homeless, and street youth, and has fostered the recognition that civil liberties are an essential part of that struggle.
Jean Colman, as head of the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition since 1987, has worked with low-income women to help them insist on fair treatment, change unjust state policies, and break the myths about who received public assistance and why.
2000 Alan and Andrea Rabinowitz
For their leadership in philanthropic organizations that advance grassroots democracy, equality, empowerment through education, and freedom. They are nationally recognized thinkers and mentors in social change philanthropy and, together, have guided numerous foundations devoted to funding progressive causes.
1999 Bill Wassmuth
For consistent and outstanding contributions to the causes of civil rights and civil liberties, including more than 30 years of courageous effort to end bigotry in the Northwest through his leadership of the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment.
1998 Planned Parenthood and Lee Minto
For their leadership in keeping Washington in the forefront of reproductive freedom by working steadfastly to ensure the choices of motherhood, abortion, and adoption are legal, safe and accessible to all.
1997 Jacob Lawrence
One of America’s most productive and celebrated visual artists for his powerful portrayals of the struggle of African Americans for freedom and dignity. More than any other prominent American visual artist, his imagery conveys a sense of struggle and hope associated with African American life.
1996 Thomas W. Hillier II
Federal public defender for his commitment to the right of indigent individuals to counsel when facing criminal charges and for his efforts to advance fairness in criminal law.
1995 Washington Supreme Court Justice Robert Utter, retired
For his support of individual liberty and equal access to justice, including his pioneering work using the state constitution as a basis for extending civil liberties and his eloquent opposition to the death penalty.
1993 Ricardo R. Garcia
For his lifelong commitment to improving opportunities and promoting equality for low-income people of all races, especially migrant and seasonal farm workers and immigrants from Mexico.
1992 Judge Solie M. Ringold, retired
For his lifelong contributions to the preservation of civil rights and liberties as an activist, a lawyer and a judge.
1991 Henry Gay
Publisher and columnist for the Shelton-Mason County Journal for his “ferocious independence” and unwavering defense of free speech and the Bill of Rights.
1990 Cherry Kinoshita
For her leadership in the successful effort to gain redress for Japanese Americans who were interned during WW II.
1989 Mary Gallwey
Former ACLU-WA Board President and lifelong civil libertarian, for her contributions to the ACLU at both the local and national levels.
1988 Alex Gottfried and Art Kobler
For their long service to the ACLU-WA Board - each served for more than 30 years - and their guidance of the organization during that period.
1987 John Caughlan
Seattle attorney for his lifelong work for civil liberties, including his defense of free speech for the local Communist Party during the 1930s, which subsequently cost him his job.
1986 None Given
1985 Frederick T. Haley
Head of the Brown and Haley Candy Company, for his outstanding support for civil rights, racial equality, equal opportunity and opposition to McCarthy-era witch hunts.
1984 Ed Henry, receiving for himself and the other founders of the ACLU-WA
For their work during the 1930s to establish a formal ACLU structure in Washington State.
1983 Arthur Barnett
A long-time Seattle civil rights lawyer and social justice activist, for his work against internment laws and his representation of Gordon Hirabayashi.
1982 Carl Maxey
A Spokane attorney, for his work to end the discriminatory practices of public restaurants and private clubs in eastern Washington as well as his work for the separation of church and state.
1981 Church Council of Greater Seattle
For its consistent support of equality, justice and human rights.
1979 Edward R. Murrow (posthumously)
For excellence in broadcasting and attention to civil liberties and civil rights issues.
1978 KING Broadcasting
For its leadership in the broadcast industry in the area of civil liberties and civil rights.
1977 None Given
1976 Francis Hoague and Kenneth MacDonald
Seattle attorneys, both past presidents of the ACLU-WA, for their distinguished record of service to the ACLU and the Bill of Rights.
1975 Justice William O. Douglas
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Douglas was given the award for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the cause of civil liberties and freedom.
1974 Dr. Giovanni Costigan
Former University of Washington Professor of History for his service on the ACLU’s National Advisory Council and his service to the ACLU-WA.
1973 Dr. Melvin Rader
For his vigilant fight against the state’s version of the Un-American Activities Committee and his defense of the ACLU against charges of communism.
