The prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Medal ceremoniously honors individuals who have embraced Eleanor Roosevelt’s call to build a better world through humanitarian efforts in education, advocacy, social justice, and civil and human rights. Medalists are role models for the larger community, setting the standard for community values.
2018
Tarana J. Burke: Social Justice Activist · “Me Too” Movement Founder
Jaha Dukureh: Gender Violence Resister & Change Agent · Good Will Ambassador
Dr. Pamela R. Edington: Champion, Educational Accessibility, Diversity & Civic Engagement
Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan: Gender Equity & Civil Rights Advocate
Honorable Albert M. Rosenblatt: Protector, Judicial Integrity & Ethics
Loung Ung: Genocide Chronicler & Human Rights Defender
2017
Randall Robinson
Shirin Ebadi
Jodi Williams
Karen Trovato
Kathleen Durham
Michael Fleischer & Michael Dupree
2016
Donald P. Christain
Sandra Lee
Danny Lebern Glover
Mikaila Ulmer
2015
Maria Cuomo Cole
Dr. Laurie Marker
Senator Stephen M. Saland
Bill Strickland
Yoshiomi Tamai
2014
Astor Services for Children & Families
Leymah Gbowee
Diana Nyad
Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel
Katrina vanden Heuvel
2013
Joan Davidson
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Glen Johnson
Senator Patrick Leahy
Marcelle Pomerleau Leahy
Gloria Steinem
2012
Tina Brown
Peter & Jennifer Buffett
Sheila Johnson
Joel Miller
Muriel Siebert
2011
Matilda Cuomo
Ann Gloag
Lorraine Roberts
Vassar College
2010
Paul Farmer
Eileen Fisher
Bernard & Shirley Handel
Mid-Hudson Library System
2009
Anderson Center for Autism
Jeh Johnson
The Honorable Judge Judith Kaye
The Honorable Madeleine Kunin
2008
Majora Carter Ruby Dee
Hudson River Housing
Kerry Kennedy
Susan Sarandon
2007
Cherie Blair
Pumla Gobodo-Madikezela
Curtis Roosevelt Scenic Hudson
2006
John Dyson
Helene Gayle
Colette Lafuente
Gabe Pressman
Anne Tatlock
2005
Farooq Kathwari
Elayne Seaman
Harold A. Seaman
Kate Roosevelt Whitney
William D. Zabel
2004
Michael R. Bloomberg
Clara Lou Gould
Kitty Carlisle Hart
Ruth J. Simmons
2003
Joyce Ghee
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Donald M. Stewart
Mike Wallace
2002
Eleanor Charwat
Bill Moyers
Judith Moyers
Sadaka Ogata
Franklin A. Thomas
2001
Dorothy I. Height
Mathilde Krim
Christopher Reeve
Joan Sherman
Jonah Sherman
2000
Ruth Cardoso
Emilie B. Dyson
Robert R. Dyson
Richard Gere
Jessye Norman
1999
Johnnetta B. Cole
Vartan Gregorian
Hannah C. Pakula
Martha Settle Putney
Peter Stern
1998
Anne E. Dyson
Frances D. Fergusson
Richard C. Holbrooke
James Earl Jones
1997
Trude W. Lash
Rachel Robinson
Hollis W. Shaw
Margaret R. Zamierowski
1996
Dennis J. Murray
Her Majesty, Queen Noor of Jordan
Lea Rabin
Frances S. Reese
1995
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hamilton Meserve
Helen Meserve
Pete Seeger
1994
Marian Wright Edelman
Mary Lou Heissenbuttel
Lucille Pattison
Fred Rogers
1992
Edward Asner
Barbara Jordan
Jack A. McEnroe
Ethel C. Torgesen
1991
John Chancellor
Mary Hart Keeley
Norman Vincent Peale
John C. “Chips” Quinn
1990
Hamilton Fish, Jr.
Schuyler M. Meyer
Cynthia Parsons
Marie N. Tarver
1989
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Esther Peterson
Father Bruce Ritter
Rabbi Erwin Zimet
1988
Mother Clara McBride Hale
Eugene M. Lang
Helen Hayes MacArthur
Richard K. Wager
1987
Harry Belafonte
Trevor Ferrell
Celeste Holm
John E. Mack III
Jean Stapleton
IN MEMORIUM
2012
Muriel Siebert
The first woman of finance
2011
Lorraine Roberts
Teacher, historian and community leader
2008
Gail Webster, Hudson River Housing
Executive Director
2007
Curtis Roosevelt
Author
2004
Kitty Carlisle Hart
Singer, actress and spokeswoman for the arts
2003
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Historian, social critic and public intellectual
Mike Wallace
Journalist, game show host, actor and media personality
2001
Dorothy I. Height
Educator, civil rights and women’s activist
Christopher Reeve
Actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author and activist
Jonah Sherman
Community leader and international volunteer
1999
Martha Settle Putney
Educator, historian and veteran
1998
Anne E. Dyson
Pediatrician and philanthropist
Richard C. Holbrooke Diplomat, magazine editor, author, professor,
Peace Corps official, and investment banker
1997
Trude W. Lash
Political activist and advocate for children
Margaret R. Zamierowski
Community leader and former ERVK Executive Director
1996
Frances S. Reese
Founder and chairwoman emeritus of Scenic Hudson
1995
Pete Seeger
Folk singer and social activist
1994
Lucille Pattison
Educator, legislator and women’s activist
Fred Rogers
Television personality and educator
1992
Barbara Jordan
Lawyer, educator, politician and leader of the Civil Rights Movement
Jack A. McEnroe
Educator, Veteran and Director of Dutchess Bank & Trust Co.
Ethel C. Torgesen
Educator
1991
John Chancellor
Journalist and news anchor
Norman Vincent Peale
Minister, author
John C. “Chips” Quinn
Poughkeepsie Journal Editor
1990
Hamilton Fish, Jr
Politician, human rights activist
Schuyler M. Meyer
Philanthropist, foundation leader and founder of George Bird Grinnell Indian Children’s Fund
Cynthia Parsons
American writer
1989
Esther Peterson
Educator and women’s activist
Father Bruce Ritter
Catholic priest and founder of Covenant House
Rabbi Erwin Zimet
Temple Beth-El
1988
Mother Clara McBride Hale
Humanitarian and founder of Hale House Center
Helen Hayes MacArthur
First lady of American theatre
1987
Celeste Holm
Stage, film and television actress
Jean Stapleton
Stage, film and television actress
