The Ridenhour Courage Prize

James Hansen

Dr. James Hansen, the 2013 recipient of The Ridenhour Courage Prize, was recognized for bravely and urgently telling the truth about climate change, even when the Bush administration tried to silence and penalize him as director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Rather than giving in, or giving up, Dr. Hansen—one of the world’s most tireless and articulate activists—has courageously and continuously led the fight to save the planet ever since. Read more

Rep. John Lewis

Often called "one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced," John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community" in America. His dedication to the highest ethical standards and moral principles has won him the admiration of many of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the United States Congress. Read more

United States Senator Russ Feingold

United States Senator Russ Feingold spent eighteen years as a Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, and before that ten years as a State Senator from Middleton. In his nearly three decades as an elected official, Feingold has earned a reputation for taking principled stands regardless of the potential political consequences. He is best known for the historic McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill, which sought to decrease the power of money in politics. Since leaving the Senate, Feingold has founded Progressives United, whose mission is to ensure that voters — rather than rich donors — decide elections. In addition to The Ridenhour Prize for Courage, Feingold is a recipient of the 2011 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Read more

Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn, the posthumous 2010 recipient of The Ridenhour Courage Prize, was recognized for his determination to showcase the hidden heroes of social movements throughout history, his refusal to accept the history of only the powerful and victorious, his steadfast belief in the potential for a better world, his unflinching moral stance on fighting whatever he perceived was wrong in society, his fight to inspire students to believe that together, they could make democracy come alive, and, in the words of his former student Alice Walker, "his way with resistance." Read more

Bob Herbert

Bob Herbert, 2009 recipient of the Ridenhour Courage Prize, was recognized for the overall distinction and fearless truth-telling of his reporting in the New York Times. A champion of the under-reported story, Herbert provides moral clarity and a sense of outrage to his ongoing depiction of injustice. Read more

2008

Bill Moyers

Bill Moyers, 2008 recipient of the Ridenhour Courage Prize, is the host of Bill Moyers Journal on PBS. From his service as one of the original organizers of the Peace Corps to his founding of Public Affairs Television, Moyers has dedicated his life to ensuring that the media work to preserve and strengthen our democracy. Read more