Spingarn Medal
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Template:Short description The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for an outstanding achievement by an African American. The award was created in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, chairman of the board of directors of the NAACP.[1] It was first awarded to biologist Ernest E. Just in 1915, and has been given most years thereafter.
At its annual convention, the NAACP presents the award after deciding from open nominations. Should the organization end, it would be managed by Howard or Fisk Universities.[1] The gold medal is valued at $100, and Spingarn left $20,000 (Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[".) in his will for the NAACP to continue giving it indefinitely.[2]
List of recipients
| Year | Picture | Name | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Ernest Everett Just | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Head of Physiology, Howard University Medical School for research in biology." |
| 1916 | Charles Young | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Services in organizing the Liberian Constabulary and roads in the Republic of Liberia." |
| 1917 | Harry Burleigh | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Excellence in the field of creative music." |
| 1918 | William Braithwaite | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Distinguished achievements in literature." |
| 1919 | Archibald Grimké | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "U.S. Consul in Santo Domingo; President of American Negro Academy; for seventy years of distinguished service to his race and country." |
| 1920 | W. E. B. Du Bois | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Author, Editor Crisis Magazine; founding and calling of Pan-African Congress." |
| 1921 | Charles Sidney Gilpin as Brutus Jones | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Notable performance in the title role of The Emperor Jones and for excellence as an actor." |
| 1922 | Mary Burnett Talbert | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Former President of the National Association of Colored Women and for continued service to women of color." |
| 1923 | George Washington Carver | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Head of Department of Research and Director of the Experiment Station of Tuskegee Inst. For researching Agricultural Chemistry." |
| 1924 | Roland Hayes | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Singer; for artistry through interpreting Negro folk song; soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra." |
| 1925 | James Weldon Johnson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Former U.S. Consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua; former editor and secretary of NAACP." |
| 1926 | Carter G. Woodson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Historian and Founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History; editor, Negro Orators and Their Orations for his outstanding work as an historian." |
| 1927 | File:Anthony Overton.png | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "President of Victory Life Insurance Company, the first black company certified by the state of New York." |
| 1928 | Charles W. Chesnutt | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Author; for his pioneer work as a literary artist, depicting the life and struggle of Americans of Negro descent." |
| 1929 | Mordecai Wyatt Johnson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "President of Howard University. For distinguished leadership as first black president." |
| 1930 | Henry A. Hunt | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Principal of the Fort Valley High and Industrial School, Fort Valley, GA. For twenty-five years of service in the education of black students." |
| 1931 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "For his fine and reverent characterization of the Lord in Marc Connelly's Play – The Green Pastures." | |
| 1932 | Robert Russa Moton | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Principal of the Tuskegee Institute. For excellent leadership and service in the field of education." |
| 1933 | Max Yergan | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "American Y.M.C.A. Secretary; missionary of intelligence, tact and self-sacrifice. For the excellence of his work in Africa." |
| 1934 | File:William T. B. Williams(Cropped).jpg | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Dean of Tuskegee Institute, long service as field agent of the Slater and Jeanes Funds and the General Education Board." |
| 1935 | Mary McLeod Bethune | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Founder and President of Bethune Cookman College. For outstanding leadership and service to education." |
| 1936 | John Hope | Script error: No such module "sort". | "President of Atlanta University; distinguished leader of his race." |
| 1937 | Walter Francis White | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Executive Secretary of NAACP. For his personal investigation of more than forty-one lynchings." |
| 1938 | No award given | ||
| 1939 | Marian Anderson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Chosen for her special achievement in music." |
| 1940 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Surgeon; chosen for his contribution to the healing of mankind and for his courageous position in the face of bitter attack." | |
| 1941 | Richard Wright | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Author; Uncle Tom's Children and Native Son. For his outstanding contributions to literature." |
| 1942 | A. Philip Randolph | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "International President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. For his role in securing the presidential order to establish the FEPC in 1941." |
| 1943 | William H. Hastie | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Jurist and Educator; chosen for his distinguished career as a jurist and uncompromising champion of equal justice." |
| 1944 | Charles R. Drew | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Scientist; chosen for his outstanding work in blood plasma; research led to establishment of blood plasma bank." |
| 1945 | Paul Robeson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Singer and Actor chosen for distinguished achievement in the theatre and concert stage." |
| 1946 | Thurgood Marshall | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Special Counsel for NAACP. For distinguished service as a lawyer before the U.S. Supreme Court." |
| 1947 | Percy Julian | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Research Chemist chosen for many important discoveries that have saved many lives." |
| 1948 | Channing Heggie Tobias | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "In recognition of his consistent role as a defender of fundamental American liberties." |
| 1949 | Ralph Bunche | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "International civil servant; acting UN mediator in Palestine. For singular service to the United Nations." |
| 1950 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Chairman, NAACP Legal Committee and stalwart defender of democracy." | |
| 1951 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Leader of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses." | |
| 1952 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "NAACP leader in the state of Florida and a martyr in the crusade for freedom." | |
| 1953 | Paul Williams | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Distinguished architect, for his pioneer contributions as a creative designer of livable, attractive modern dwellings." |
| 1954 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Physician, educator and philanthropist. For pioneering achievements in dermatology." | |
| 1955 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Dedicated editor, publisher and farsighted civic leader." | |
| 1956 | Jackie Robinson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Brilliant and versatile athlete; for superb sportsmanship and for his singular role in athletics." |
| 1957 | Martin Luther King, Jr | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Dedicated and selfless clergyman; for leadership role in the Montgomery bus protest movement." |
| 1958 | Script error: No such module "sort". | "For their pioneer role in upholding the basic ideals of American democracy in the face of continuing harassment and constant threats of bodily injury." | |
| 1959 | Duke Ellington | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Composer and orchestra leader. For outstanding and unique musical achievements." |
| 1960 | Langston Hughes | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Poet, author and playwright." |
| 1961 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Professor of Psychology at the College of the City of New York; founder/director of the Northside Center for Child Development. For his dedicated service and inspired research in the field of psychology." | |
| 1962 | Robert C. Weaver | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency; for his long years of dedicated public service at municipal, state and federal levels." |
| 1963 | Medgar Evers | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "NAACP field secretary for the state of Mississippi. For his dedication and steadfast courage in the face of continued death threats." |
| 1964 | Roy Wilkins | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Executive Director, NAACP. For his leadership, integrity and his dedicated service." |
| 1965 | Leontyne Price | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Metropolitan Opera star, in recognition of her divinely inspired talent." |
| 1966 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Founder/President of the Johnson Publishing Company of Chicago." | |
| 1967 | Edward Brooke | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "First African American to win popular election to the United States Senate since Reconstruction." |
| 1968 | Sammy Davis Jr. | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Broadway/Hollywood star and civil rights activist." |
| 1969 | Clarence Mitchell Jr. | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Director, Washington Bureau, NAACP and civil rights lobbyist. For his pivotal role in the enactment of civil rights legislation." |
| 1970 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Artist, teacher and humanitarian." | |
| 1971 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Clergyman, activist and prophet." | |
| 1972 | Jacob Lawrence | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "In recognition of his unique creativity, as exemplified by his outstanding achievements as photographer, writer, film maker and composer." |
| 1973 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Educator, in recognition of the stature he has attained as a national leader in the field of education." | |
| 1974 | Damon Keith | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Jurist; in tribute to his steadfast defense of constitutional principles." |
| 1975 | No award given | ||
| 1976 | Hank Aaron | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Athlete, in recognition of his singular achievement in the sport which symbolizes America – baseball; his impressive home run record." |
| 1977Template:Efn | Alvin Ailey | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Innovative dancer, choreographer and artistic director." |
| Alex Haley | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Author, biographer and lecturer; exhaustive research and literary skill combined in Roots." | |
| 1978 | No award given | ||
| 1979Template:Efn | Andrew Young | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Minister plenipotentiary and extraordinary United States Ambassador to the United Nations." |
| Script error: No such module "Sort". | "In recognition to the quiet courage and determination exemplified when she refused to surrender her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus." | ||
| 1980 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Educator, historian, author for his prodigious efforts to set before the world the black American's continuing struggle against oppression." | |
| 1981 | Coleman Young | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Mayor, City of Detroit; public servant, labor leader." |
| 1982 | Benjamin Mays | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Educator, theologian and humanitarian." |
| 1983 | Lena Horne | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Artist humanitarian and living symbol of excellence." |
| 1984 | No award given | ||
| 1985Template:Efn | Tom Bradley | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Government executive, public servant, humanist; Mayor of Los Angeles for 20 years." |
| Bill Cosby | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Humorist, artist, educator, family man and humanitarian." | |
| 1986 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Executive Director, NAACP. In tribute to his precedent-setting accomplishments." | |
| 1987 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Public servant, businessman, community leader." | |
| 1988 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Educator, doctor of veterinary medicine, visionary and humanitarian." | |
| 1989 | Jesse Jackson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Clergyman, political leader, civil rights activist; first American of African descent to become a major presidential candidate." |
| 1990 | Douglas Wilder | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Governor, public servant, attorney and visionary in tribute to an extraordinary life of accomplishment." |
| 1991 | Colin Powell | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "General of the U.S. Army, 12th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Defense." |
| 1992 | Barbara Jordan | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Lawyer, educator, political leader and stateswoman." |
| 1993 | Dorothy Height | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "National Council of Negro Women; National YWCA; The Center for Radical Justice; President, Delta Sigma Theta sorority. For extraordinary leadership in advancing women’s rights." |
| 1994 | Maya Angelou speaking at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Poet, author, actress, playwright, producer, educator and historian." |
| 1995 | John Hope Franklin | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Historian, scholar and educator; in recognition of an unrelenting quest for truth and the enlightenment of Western Civilization." |
| 1996 | A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Jurist, Scholar, teacher and humanitarian; in honor of a distinguished jurist who emerged a giant of jurisprudence during a three-decade tenure as the nation’s longest serving active Federal Judge." |
| 1997 | File:Carl Rowan 1997.jpg | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Journalist, publicist, civic leader and public servant." |
| 1998 | Myrlie Evers-Williams | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Civil rights activist, risk-taker, mother, true believer." |
| 1999 | Earl G. Graves Sr. | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Founder, Black Enterprise Magazine; Businessman, publisher, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, family man." |
| 2000 | Oprah Winfrey | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Actress, producer, educator, publisher and humanitarian." |
| 2001 | Vernon Jordan | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Lawyer, Advisor to Presidents, Champion of Civil Rights and Human Rights, Exemplar and True Believer." |
| 2002 | John Lewis | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Public servant, protector of civil and human rights, community leader and inspirer of youth." |
| 2003 | Constance Baker Motley | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Civil rights pioneer, jurist, public official, for her commitment and pursuit of the goal of equal opportunity and justice for all Americans." |
| 2004 | Robert L. Carter | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Attorney, educator, federal judge and guardian of civil rights; for his extraordinary achievement of winning twenty-one cases argued before the Supreme Court." |
| 2005 | Oliver Hill (attorney) | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "For his key role in the United States Supreme Court Case, Brown v. Board; for his determined, quiet and persistent pursuit of justice." |
| 2006 | Ben Carson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "In tribute to a lifetime of growth and singular achievement, from the bottom of his fifth grade class, to become the youngest ever Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery in the United States." |
| 2007 | John Conyers | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Guardian of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, consummate legislator and public servant." |
| 2008 | Ruby Dee | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Actress, poet, playwright and civil rights activist" |
| 2009 | Julian Bond | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Former Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors and legendary civil rights activist" |
| 2010 | Cicely Tyson | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Actress and civil rights activist" |
| 2011 | Frankie Muse Freeman | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Attorney and civil rights activist." |
| 2012 | Harry Belafonte | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Singer, song writer, actor and social activist." |
| 2013 | Jessye Norman | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Opera singer, Grammy Award winner." |
| 2014 | Quincy Jones | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Composer, Producer, Grammy Award winner." |
| 2015 | Sidney Poitier | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Actor and Social activist, Oscar Winner." |
| 2016 | Nathaniel R. Jones | Script error: No such module "Sort". | "Lawyer, Jurist, Academic and Public Servant" |
| 2018 | Willie L. Brown | Script error: No such module "Sort".[3] | Former mayor of San Francisco and former speaker of the California Assembly |
| 2019 | Patrick Gaspard | Script error: No such module "Sort".[4] | a lifelong community activist, a former American diplomat, and the current president of the Center for American Progress |
| 2021 | Script error: No such module "Sort".[5] | Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor at the University of Connecticut | |
| 2022 | Jim Clyburn | Script error: No such module "Sort".[6] | House Majority Whip |
| 2023 | Hazel Dukes | Script error: No such module "Sort".[7] | 8th National President of the NAACP |
| 2024 | Henry Louis Gates | Script error: No such module "Sort".[8] | "Esteemed historian and literary scholar." |
| 2025 | Kamala Harris | Script error: No such module "Sort".[9] | Vice President of the United States |
_(LOC)_-_Flickr_-_The_Library_of_Congress.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_portrait.jpg){kind=link}
_by_Jack_Mitchell.jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Notes
- Footnotes
- Specific references
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- General references
<templatestyles src="Refbegin/styles.css" />
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Template:Spingarn Medal Template:NAACP Script error: No such module "navbox".