View source for Profile in Courage Award

{{Short description|Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2024}}[[File:"Profile in Courage" award.JPG|thumb|right|The Profile in Courage Award presented to [[Gerald Ford]] by [[Ted Kennedy]] in 2001]]

The '''Profile in Courage Award''' is a private award created by the [[Kennedy family]] to recognize displays of courage similar to those [[John F. Kennedy]] originally described in his [[Profiles in Courage|book of the same name]]. It is given to individuals (often elected officials) who, by acting in accord with their [[conscience]], risked their careers or lives by pursuing a larger vision of the national, state or local interest in opposition to [[popularity|popular]] opinion or pressure from constituents or other local interests.

== Background ==
The winners of the award are selected by a committee named by the [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|John F. Kennedy Library Foundation]], which includes members of the Kennedy family and other prominent Americans. It is generally awarded each year around the time of JFK's birthday (May 29) at a ceremony at the [[John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library|Kennedy Library]] in [[Boston]]. The award is generally presented by JFK's daughter, [[Caroline Kennedy|Caroline]]. Also before their deaths, other presenters had included John Kennedy's brother, [[Ted Kennedy|Ted]], his son [[John F. Kennedy Jr.|John Jr.]], and his widow [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jacqueline]].

Two recipients, [[John Lewis]] (in 2001) and [[William Winter (politician)|William Winter]] (in 2008), were designated as honorees for Lifetime Achievement.

== Design ==
The winner is presented with a [[sterling silver]] [[lantern]] made by [[Tiffany & Co.|Tiffany's]] which was designed by [[Edwin Schlossberg]]. The lantern is patterned after the lanterns on the USS ''[[USS Constitution|Constitution]]'' which was launched in 1797. It is the last sail-powered ship to remain part of the [[US Navy]], and is permanently moored nearby.
{{Clear}}

==Recipients==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:98%;"
! Year
! Recipient
! style="width:50%;"| Occupation
! style="width:50%;"| Achievements
! Other finalists
|-
| 1990
| [[Carl Elliott|Carl Elliott Sr.]]
| Former [[U.S. representative]] ([[Alabama]])
| For working to enact civil rights laws and the [[National Defense Education Act of 1958]] (Hill-Elliott Act), which "made him the target of vicious criticism from reactionaries of both parties" and caused his ouster from Congress in 1964.<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Carl-Elliott-Sr--1990.aspx?t=1 Award Recipients: Carl Elliott, Sr. (1990)], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
| [[Henry Bellmon]], [[Unita Blackwell]], [[LeRoy Collins]], [[Morris K. Udall]]<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Carl-Elliott-Sr--1990.aspx?t=2 Award Announcement: Carl Elliott, Sr. (1990)], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
|-
| 1991
| [[Charles L. Weltner]]
| Former [[U.S. representative]] ([[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]])
| For his decision to drop out of his race for reelection to a third term, rather than seek reelection and be bound by a party loyalty oath to support the candidacy of [[segregationist]] [[Lester Maddox]].<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Charles-Weltner-1991.aspx?t=1 Award Recipients: Charles Weltner (1991)], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
| [[Frank P. Graham]], [[George M. Michaels]], [[Nicholas C. Wasicsko]]<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Charles-Weltner-1991.aspx?t=1 Award Announcement: Charles Weltner], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
|-
| 1992
| [[Lowell Weicker]]
| [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]], [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]], and the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|85th Governor]] of [[Connecticut]].
| For proposing, as governor of Connecticut, a budget that included the introduction of an unpopular [[State income tax|state personal income tax]] and major spending cuts in order to address Connecticut's financial crisis.<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Lowell-Weicker-Jr-1992.aspx Background: Lowell Weicker, Jr.], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
|
|-
| 1993
| [[James Florio]]
| [[Governor of New Jersey]] (1990–1994); U.S. representative (1975–1990)
|
|
|-
| 1994
| [[Henry B. González]]
| U.S. representative (Texas) (1961-1999)
|
|
|-
| 1995
| [[Mike Synar]]
| U.S. representative (Oklahoma)
|
|
|-
| 1996
| [[Corkin Cherubini]]
| School superintendent
| Efforts to rectify civil rights abuses in his small southern school district
|
|-
| 1997
| Judge [[Charles Price (judge)|Charles Price]]
|  A judge for Circuit 15 in Montgomery County, Alabama. He served as a judge for the court from 1983 until his retirement from the bench on January 16, 2015.
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 1998
| [[Nickolas C. Murnion]]
| A judge on the 16th Judicial District Court in Montana.
|
|
|-
| "Peacemakers of Northern Ireland"
| Negotiators and signatories of the [[Good Friday Agreement]].
| Awarded to the negotiators and signatories of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], "in recognition of the extraordinary political courage they demonstrated." Presented to [[John Hume]], [[Gerry Adams]], [[John Alderdice]], [[Malachi Curran]], [[David Ervine]], [[Gary McMichael]], [[Monica McWilliams]], [[David Trimble]], and [[George J. Mitchell]].<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Peacemakers-of-Northern-Ireland-1998.aspx Background: Peacemakers of Northern Ireland],  John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.</ref>
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 1999
| [[Russ Feingold]]
| [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] ([[Wisconsin]]) (1993–2011);<ref name=politico>{{cite news|last1=Robillard|first1=Kevin|title=Feingold running for Wisconsin Senate|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/russ-feingold-wisconsin-senate-117948|access-date=10 February 2016|publisher=Politico|date=May 14, 2015}}</ref>  [[Wisconsin State Senate|Wisconsin State Senator]] ([[Wisconsin Senate, District 27|27th District]]) (1983-1993).<ref name=fact>{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=James|title=Sen. Ron Johnson claims Russ Feingold is a career politician|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2016/feb/04/ron-johnson/sen-ron-johnson-claims-russ-feingold-career-politi/|access-date=10 February 2016|agency=PolitiFact|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 4, 2016}}</ref>
|For co-sponsoring  the [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]
|
|-
| [[John McCain]]
| [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] ([[Arizona]]) (1987-2018); U.S. Representative (1983-1987);<ref>{{Cite web |title=John McCain {{!}} Biography, Vietnam Experience, Political Career, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-McCain |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[presidential nominee|nominee]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 U.S. presidential election]].
|For co-sponsoring  the [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]
|
|-
| 2000
| [[Hilda Solis]]
| Member of the [[Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors]] for the 1st district; [[United States Secretary of Labor]] (2009–2013) during the [[Obama administration]]; [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] (2001–2009)
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2001
| [[John Lewis]]<br />(Lifetime Achievement Award)
| An American [[civil rights movement]] leader and politician, Lewis was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|GA|5}} from 1987 until his death in 2020. He was the dean of the [[United States congressional delegations from Georgia|Georgia congressional delegation]], and his district included three quarters of [[Atlanta]].
|
|
|-
| [[Gerald Ford]]
| [[List of presidents of the United States|38th president of the United States]]
| For his controversial [[pardon of Richard Nixon]], which arguably cost him the [[1976 United States presidential election|1976 election]].
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2002
| [[Kofi Annan]]
| A [[Ghana]]ian [[diplomat]] who served as the seventh [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] from January 1997 to December 2006. Annan and the [[United Nations|UN]] were the co-recipients of the [[2001 Nobel Peace Prize]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2001/annan-bio.html|title=Kofi Annan - Biographical|website=www.nobelprize.org|access-date=2016-09-12}}</ref> He is the founder and chairman of the [[Kofi Annan Foundation]], as well as chairman of [[The Elders (organization)|The Elders]], an international organization founded by [[Nelson Mandela]].<ref name="Nobel Peace">{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2001/index.html|title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2001|last=Annan|first=Kofi|publisher=nobelprize.org|access-date=25 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kofi-Annan|title=Kofi Annan {{!}} Ghanaian statesman and secretary-general of the United Nations|access-date=2016-09-12}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| [[Dean Koldenhoven]]
| Former mayor of Palos Heights, Illinois
| Political courage in speaking out against religious discrimination and calling for tolerance within his community. 
|
|-
| "Public Servants of September 11"
| Representatives of [[NYPD]], the [[FDNY]], and the military
|  Risked their lives on [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/Award+Recipients/Public+Servants+of+September+11 |title=Public Servants of September 11 - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum |website=www.jfklibrary.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623183549/http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/Award+Recipients/Public+Servants+of+September+11/ |archive-date=2006-06-23}}</ref>
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2003
| [[Dan Ponder Jr.]]
| He was a member of the [[Georgia House of Representatives]] from 1997 to 2000. He is a member of the Republican party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/Archives/19992000/house/gash160.htm|title=Ga House - Hon. Dan E. Ponder, Jr. (GA SH 160)|work=ga.gov|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> In 2003, he received the Profile in Courage Award from the [[John F. Kennedy Library Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Dan-Ponder-Jr-2003.aspx|title=Dan Ponder, Jr.|work=jfklibrary.org|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> He was elected mayor of [[Donalsonville, Georgia]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donalsonvillenews.com/75977/2277/mayorelect-ponders-plan-of-action|title=Donalsonville News, Mayor-elect Ponder's plan of action|work=Donalsonville News|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075412/http://www.donalsonvillenews.com/75977/2277/mayorelect-ponders-plan-of-action|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millercountyliberal.com/news/2013-11-27/Community/Ponder_wins_Donalsonville_mayors_race_by_three_vot.html|title=Ponder wins Donalsonville mayor's race by three votes - www.millercountyliberal.com - Miller County Liberal|work=millercountyliberal.com|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073557/http://www.millercountyliberal.com/news/2013-11-27/Community/Ponder_wins_Donalsonville_mayors_race_by_three_vot.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Took a contentious stand in favor of hate-crimes legislation in Georgia, which may have cost him his seat in the state House.
|
|-
| [[David Beasley]]
| Executive Director of the U.N. [[World Food Programme]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www1.wfp.org/executive-director |title=Executive Director |access-date=2017-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501201958/http://www1.wfp.org/executive-director |archive-date=2017-05-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Beasley served one term as the [[List of Governors of South Carolina|113th]] [[Governor of South Carolina]] from 1995 until 1999, as a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].
| For his efforts to remove the Confederate battle flag from atop the [[South Carolina State Capitol|state capitol]].
|
|-
| [[Roy Barnes]]
| [[List of Governors of Georgia|Governor of Georgia]] (1999–2003).<ref name="Governors">Cook, James F. (2005).  ''The Governors of Georgia, 1754–2004, 3rd Edition, Revised and Expanded.''  Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.</ref>
| For his efforts to minimize the Confederate battle emblem on [[Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia's state flag]].
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2004
| [[Sima Samar]]
| 
| A well known woman's and human rights advocate, activist and a social worker within national and international forums, who served as [[Ministry of Women's Affairs (Afghanistan)|Minister of Women's Affairs of Afghanistan]] from December 2001 to 2003.
|
|-
| [[Cindy Watson (politician)|Cindy Watson]]
| Former North Carolina State Representative
|
|
|-
| [[Paul Muegge]]
| [[Oklahoma State Senate|State Senator]]
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2005
| [[Joe Darby]]
| The [[whistleblower]] in the [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]] scandal.
|
|
|-
| [[Shirley Franklin]]
| [[Mayor of Atlanta]] (2002–2010)
|
|
|-
| [[Bill Ratliff]]
| [[Texas State Senate|Texas State Senator]] (1988–2004)<ref name="tp">[http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/html/leg/ltgovernors/30.html Bill Ratliff] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902154828/http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/html/leg/ltgovernors/30.html |date=September 2, 2006 }}, Texas State Politics, University of Texas</ref> 
|
|
|-
| [[Viktor Yushchenko]]
| Third [[President of Ukraine]] (2005–2010)
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2006
| [[Alberto J. Mora]]
| A former [[General Counsel of the Navy]]
| Led an effort within the [[U.S. Defense Department|Defense Department]] to oppose the legal theories of [[John Yoo]] and to try to end coercive interrogation tactics at [[Guantanamo Bay detainment camp|Guantanamo Bay]], which he argued are unlawful.
|
|-
| [[John Murtha]]
| U.S. representative ([[Pennsylvania]])
|
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|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2007
| [[Bill White (Texas politician)|Bill White]]
| [[Mayor of Houston]] (2004–2010)
| "Mayor White's quick actions in welcoming thousands of families displaced by hurricanes [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] most certainly helped to save lives."<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Bill-White-2007.aspx?t=2 Bill White - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum]</ref>
|
|-
| [[Doris Voitier]]
| Superintendent of Schools, [[St. Bernard Parish]], Louisiana
| "Despite insurmountable odds, Doris Voitier rebuilt the schools of St. Bernard Parish [after [[Hurricane Katrina]]], making sure the children of her community had a place to learn and grow when they returned home."<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients/Doris-Voitier-2007.aspx?t=2 Doris Voitier - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum]</ref>
|
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" | 2008
| [[Jennifer Brunner]]
| [[Ohio Secretary of State]]
|
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|-
| [[Debra Bowen]]
| [[Secretary of State of California]] (2007–2015); member of the [[California State Legislature]] (1992-2006)
|
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|-
| [[William Winter (politician)|William Winter]]<br />(Lifetime Achievement Award)
| [[List of Governors of Mississippi|Governor of Mississippi]] (1980–1984)
|
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|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2009
| [[Ted Kennedy|Edward M. Kennedy]]
| [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] ([[Massachusetts]])
|
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|-
| [[Brooksley Born]]
| Chairperson of the [[Commodity Futures Trading Commission]] (1996–1999)
|
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|-
| [[Sheila Bair]]
| 19th Chair of the U.S. [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]] (FDIC),<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.fdic.gov/about/learn/board/board.html |title=FDIC: Board of Directors & Senior Executives |publisher=Fdic.gov |access-date=2010-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123193810/http://fdic.gov/about/learn/board/board.html |archive-date=2010-11-23 }}</ref> during which time she assumed a prominent role in the government's response to the [[2008 financial crisis]]. She was appointed to the post for a five-year term on June 26, 2006, by [[George W. Bush]]. 
|
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|-
| [[Leymah Gbowee]] and the [[Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace]]
| Helped bring an end to the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] in 2003.
|
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|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2010
| [[Karen Bass]]
|  Bass represented [[California's 47th State Assembly district|the 47th district]] in the [[California State Assembly]] 2004–2010, and was [[Speaker of the California State Assembly]] 2008–2010 (second woman, third [[African American]] speaker).
|
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|-
| [[Dave Cogdill]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician who served as a State Senator from [[California's 14th State Senate district]] from December 2006 to December 2010.
|
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|-
| [[Darrell Steinberg]]
| A member of the [[California State Senate]] representing the  [[California's 6th Senate District|6th District]]. He had also previously served as a member of the [[California State Assembly]] (1998–2004) and as a member of the [[Sacramento City Council]] (1992–1998). He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].
|
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|-
| [[Michael Villines]]
| Former [[California State Assembly]]man, who served from 2004 to 2010 representing the [[California's 29th State Assembly district|29th district]].
|
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|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2011
| Elizabeth Redenbaugh
| School Board Member, [[New Hanover County, North Carolina]]
| For her actions, as a member of [[North Carolina]]'s [[New Hanover County Schools|New Hanover County School Board]] "against what she perceived as racial segregation in [[school redistricting]] plans."<ref name="2011Redenbaugh">{{Cite web |title=Elizabeth Redenbaugh {{!}} JFK Library |url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients/elizabeth-redenbaugh-2011?t=2 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.jfklibrary.org}}</ref>
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|-
| style="white-space:nowrap;"| [[Wael Ghonim]] and the People of Egypt
| 
| "presented to Wael Ghonim in honor of all Egyptians who stood up, at great personal risk, for the principles of democracy and self-governance" in the [[Egyptian revolution of 2011]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wael Ghonim and the people of Egypt {{!}} JFK Library|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients/wael-ghonim-and-the-people-of-egypt-2011 |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>
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|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2012
| [[Marsha Ternus]], [[David L. Baker]], and [[Michael Streit]]
| Justices of the [[Iowa Supreme Court]]
| "[I]n recognition of the political courage and judicial independence each demonstrated in setting aside popular opinion to uphold the basic freedoms and security guaranteed to all citizens under the Iowa constitution." The justices joined the unanimous [[Iowa Supreme Court]] ruling, ''[[Varnum v. Brien]]'', that legally recognized [[same-sex marriage in Iowa]]; "[a]lthough the Court’s decision was unanimous, it provoked a political backlash. In November 2010, voters removed Ternus, Baker and Streit from office following an unprecedented campaign financed in part by national interest groups opposed to same-sex marriage."<ref name="2012Release">[http://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2012-John-F-Kennedy-Profile-in-Courage-Award-Winners-Announced.aspx 2012 JFK Profile in Courage Award Winners Announced] (March 12, 2012).</ref>
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|-
| [[Robert Stephen Ford]]
| [[Diplomat]]; [[United States Ambassador to Algeria]] (2006-2008); [[United States Ambassador to Syria]] (2010-2014)<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|author = Gordon, Michael R.|author-link = Michael R. Gordon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/world/middleeast/american-envoy-to-syria-steps-down.html|title=American Envoy to Syria Steps Down | work = [[The New York Times]]|date= February 28, 2014|access-date= April 28, 2014}}</ref>
| For "bold and courageous diplomacy" that "provided crucial support to Syrians struggling under the brutal regime of Syrian president [[Bashar al-Assad]]."<ref name="2012Release"/>
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|-
| rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" | 2013
| [[Gabby Giffords]]
| Former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|Arizona|8|}} (2007–2012)
| "[I]n recognition of the political, personal, and physical courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence." Giffords survived an assassination attempt that left her with a severe brain injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2013-Profile-in-Courage-Award-Announcement.aspx|title = Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to Receive JFK Profile in Courage Award &#124; JFK Library}}</ref>
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|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2014
| [[George H. W. Bush]]
| [[List of Presidents of the United States|41st President of the United States]]
| "[I]n recognition of the political courage he demonstrated when he agreed to a 1990 budget compromise that reversed his 1988 campaign pledge not to raise taxes and put his re-election prospects at risk."<ref name="2014Award">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2014-Profile-in-Courage-Award-Ceremony-Release.aspx|title=Former President George H. W. Bush and Georgia Mayor Paul Bridges Honored with JFK Profile in Courage Award &#124; JFK Library}}</ref>
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|-
| Paul W. Bridges
| Mayor of [[Uvalda, Georgia]]
| "[F]or risking his mayoral career with his decision to publicly oppose a controversial immigration law in Georgia" ([[Georgia House Bill 87]]). Bridges joined a federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU to stop the implementation of the law.<ref name="2014Award"/>
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|-
| 2015
| [[Bob Inglis]]
| Former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|SC|4}} (1993–1999; 2005–2011)
| "[F]or the courage he demonstrated when reversing his position on [[climate change]] after extensive briefings with scientists, and discussions with his children, about the impact of atmospheric warming on our future. Knowing the potential consequences to his political career, Inglis nevertheless called on the United States to meaningfully address the issue."<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2015-Profile-in-Courage-Announcement.aspx Former U.S. Congressman Bob Inglis to Receive JFK Profile in Courage Award for Stance on Climate Change]</ref>
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|-
| 2016
| [[Dannel Malloy]]
| [[Governor of Connecticut]] (2011–2019)
| For "courageously defend[ing] the U.S. resettlement of Syrian refugees and personally welcom[ing] a family of Syrian refugees to New Haven after they had been turned away by another state."<ref>[http://www.jfklibrary.org/Home/About%20Us/News%20and%20Press/Press%20Releases/2016%20PICA%20Announcement.aspx Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy Announced as Recipient of the 2016 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for Stand on Syrian Refugee Resettlement] (April 4, 2016).</ref>
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|-
| 2017
| [[Barack Obama]]
| [[List of Presidents of the United States|44th President of the United States]]
| "[F]or his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage in a new century."<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2017-Profile-in-Courage-Award.aspx Former President Barack H. Obama Announced as Recipient of 2017 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award]</ref>
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|-
| 2018
| [[Mitch Landrieu]]
| [[Mayor of New Orleans]] 
| "[F]or his leadership in [[Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials|removing four Confederate monuments]] in New Orleans while offering candid, clear and compassionate reflections on the moment and its place in history."<ref>[https://www.jfklibrary.org/About-Us/News-and-Press/Press-Releases/2018-PICA-Announcement.aspx News Release: New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to Receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for Removal of Confederate Monument], John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.</ref>
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|-
| 2019
| [[Nancy Pelosi]]
| [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives]]
| "[F]or putting the national interest above her party's interest to expand access to health care for all Americans and then, against a wave of political attacks, leading the effort to retake the majority and elect the most diverse Congress in our nation's history."<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/nancy-pelosi-profile-in-courage-award-john-f-kennedy-library-foundation/ Nancy Pelosi named recipient of Profile in Courage Award] CBS News, 7 Apr 2019</ref>
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|-
| 2021
| [[Mitt Romney]]
| [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] ([[Utah]]); Former [[Governor of Massachusetts]] (2003–2007); [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[presidential nominee|nominee]] in the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 U.S. presidential election]].
| "For his vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump in 2020, and his consistent and courageous defense of democracy. As the first Senator to have ever voted to convict a President of his own party, Senator Romney’s courageous stand was historic."<ref name="jfklibrary.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award|title=The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award® &#124; JFK Library}}</ref>
|
|-
| rowspan="5" style="text-align: center;" | 2022
| [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]
| President of [[Ukraine]]
| rowspan="5" | "Each for their courage to protect and defend democracy in the United States and abroad."<ref name="jfklibrary.org"/>
| rowspan="5" style="text-align: center;" |
|-
| [[Liz Cheney]]
| [[United States Representative|U.S. Representative]] at large, Wyoming; [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|-
| [[Jocelyn Benson]]
| [[Michigan Secretary of State|Secretary of State for Michigan]]; [[Democratic Party of Michigan]]
|-
| [[Russell Bowers|Russell "Rusty" Bowers]]
| 54th Speaker of the [[Arizona House of Representatives]]; [[Republican Party of Arizona]]
|-
| [[Wandrea' ArShaye Moss]]
| Elections Department employee, [[Fulton County, Georgia]]
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 2023
|-
|[[Katrina Shealy]], [[Margie Bright Matthews]], [[Mia McLeod]], [[Sandy Senn]], and [[Penry Gustafson]]
|[[South Carolina]] State Senators
| "Five women Senators from South Carolina [...] who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state."<ref name="TwentyTwentyThree">{{cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/news-and-press/press-releases/2023-profile-in-courage-award-ceremony-press-release|title=JFK Profile In Courage Award 2023|website=jfklibrary.org|access-date=19 August 2024}}</ref>
|rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" |
|-
|[[Yoon Suk Yeol]]<br>(Special International Award)
| 13th [[President of South Korea]]
| rowspan="2" | "[F]or working to improve relations between their countries despite domestic opposition stemming from historical issues."<ref name="TwentyTwentyThree" />

The awards were accepted by [[Cho Hyun-dong]] (South Korea) and Takeo Mori and Kotaro Suzuki (Japan).
|-
|[[Fumio Kishida]]<br>(Special International Award)
| 64th [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
|-
| 2024
| [[Michael Adams (Kentucky politician)|Michael G. Adams]]
| [[Secretary of State of Kentucky]], [[Republican Party of Kentucky|Republican]]
| "[F]or expanding voting rights and standing up for free and fair elections despite party opposition and death threats from election deniers."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients/michael-g-adams-2024|title=JFK Profile In Courage Award 2024|access-date=19 August 2024|website=jfklibrary.org}}</ref>
|
|-
| 2025
| [[Mike Pence]]
| 48th [[vice president of the United States]]
| "[F]or putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|Jan. 6, 2021]]."<ref name="ap-3apr2025">{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Jonathan J. |title=Pence will get the Profile in Courage Award from JFK Library Foundation for his actions on Jan. 6 |url=https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-profile-courage-award-jfk-3b6b54ca2738575c2777a4b9ec4d7f1f |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award|John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award official website}}, with [https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients list of recipients]

{{John F. Kennedy|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:American humanitarian and service awards]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1989]]
[[Category:Courage awards]]
[[Category:John F. Kennedy]]