The Prizes

The annual Ridenhour Prizes recognize those who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice or illuminate a more just vision of society. These prizes memorialize the spirit of fearless truth-telling that whistleblower and investigative journalist Ron Ridenhour reflected throughout his extraordinary life and career. Each Prize carries a $10,000 stipend.

Courage

The Ridenhour Courage Prize is presented to an individual in recognition of their courageous and life-long defense of the public interest and passionate commitment to social justice.

Book

The Ridenhour Book Prize honors an outstanding work of social significance from the prior publishing year. The prize also recognizes investigative and reportorial distinction.

Truth-Telling

The Ridenhour Prize for Truth-Telling is presented to a citizen, corporate or government whistleblower, investigative journalist, or organization for bringing a specific issue of social importance to the public’s attention.

Documentary Film

The Ridenhour Documentary Film Prize is given to a documentary film that in the view of the judges best reflects the legacy of Ron Ridenhour–journalist, whistleblower, truth-teller and social activist. The Prize seeks to recognize a documentary that defends the public interest, advances or promotes social justice, or illuminates a more just vision of society.

Recipients

2024

Emma Pildes

Documentary Film Prize
2024

Jamie Raskin

Courage Prize
2024

Lea Ypi

Book Prize
2024

Dawn Wooten

Truth-Telling Prize
2024

Tia Lessin

Documentary Film Prize
2022

Anita Hill

Courage Prize
2022

Heather McGhee

Book Prize
2022

Anika Collier Navaroli

Truth-Telling Prize
2022

Traci A. Curry

Documentary Film Prize
2022

Stanley Nelson

Documentary Film Prize
2021

José Andrés

Courage Prize
2021

Claudio Saunt

Book Prize
2021

Cariol Horne

Truth-Telling Prize
2021

Ramona S. Diaz

Documentary Film Prize
2020

Denis Hayes

Courage Prize
2020

Chanel Miller

Book Prize
2020

Dr. Rick A. Bright

Truth-Telling Prize
2020

Nanfu Wang

Documentary Film Prize
2020

Jialing Zhang

Documentary Film Prize
2019

George Soros

Courage Prize
2019

Eliza Griswold

Book Prize
2019

Dr. Scott Allen

Truth-Telling Prize
2019

Dr. Pamela McPherson

Truth-Telling Prize
2019

Scott Shuchart

Truth-Telling Prize
2019

Alexandria Bombach

Documentary Film Prize
2018

Tarana Burke

Courage Prize
2018

Lauren Markham

Book Prize
2018

Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto

Truth-Telling Prize
2018

Joe Piscatella

Documentary Film Prize
2017

Anna Deavere Smith

Courage Prize
2017

Heather Ann Thompson

Book Prize
2017

Daniela Vargas

Truth-Telling Prize
2017

Sonia Kennebeck

Documentary Film Prize
2016

Jamie Kalven

Courage Prize
2016

Jill Leovy

Book Prize
2016

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Truth-Telling Prize
2016

Joshua Oppenheimer

Documentary Film Prize
2015

James Risen

Courage Prize
2015

Anand Gopal

Book Prize
2015

Aicha Elbasri

Truth-Telling Prize
2014

Frederick A.O. Schwarz Jr.

Courage Prize
2014

Sheri Fink

Book Prize
2014, 2015

Laura Poitras

Truth-Telling Prize, Documentary Film Prize
2014

Edward Snowden

Truth-Telling Prize
2014

Dawn Porter

Documentary Film Prize
2013

James Hansen

Courage Prize
2013

Seth Rosenfeld

Book Prize
2013

Jose Antonio Vargas

Truth-Telling Prize
2013

Kirby Dick

Documentary Film Prize
2013

Amy Ziering

Documentary Film Prize
2012

Rep. John Lewis

Courage Prize
2012

Ali H. Soufan

Book Prize
2012

Lt. Col. Daniel Davis

Truth-Telling Prize
2012

Eileen Foster

Truth-Telling Prize
2012

Tony Hardmon

Documentary Film Prize
2012

Rachel Libert

Documentary Film Prize
2011

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold

Courage Prize
2011

Wendell Potter

Book Prize
2011

Thomas Drake

Truth-Telling Prize
2011

Ronit Avni

Documentary Film Prize
2011

Julia Bacha

Documentary Film Prize
2011

Rula Salameh

Documentary Film Prize
2010

Howard Zinn

Courage Prize
2010

Joe Sacco

Book Prize
2010

Matthew Hoh

Truth-Telling Prize
2009

Bob Herbert

Courage Prize
2009

Jane Mayer

Book Prize
2009

Thomas Tamm

Truth-Telling Prize
2009

Nick Turse

Reportorial Distinction Prize
2008

Bill Moyers

Courage Prize
2008

James D. Scurlock

Book Prize
2008

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Diaz

Truth-Telling Prize
2007

President Jimmy Carter

Courage Prize
2007

Rajiv Chandrasekaran

Book Prize
2007

Donald Vance

Truth-Telling Prize
2006

Gloria Steinem

Courage Prize
2006

Anthony Shadid

Book Prize
2006

Rick Piltz

Truth-Telling Prize
2005

Seymour M. Hersh

Courage Prize
2005

Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

Book Prize
2005

Kristen Breitweiser

Truth-Telling Prize
2004

Daniel Ellsberg

Courage Prize
2004

Deborah Scroggins

Book Prize
2004

Joseph Wilson

Truth-Telling Prize