Medals of Honor
“I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Past Medalists
For more than three decades, the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Medal ceremoniously honored individuals who embraced Eleanor Roosevelt’s call to build a better world through humanitarian efforts in education, advocacy, social justice, and civil and human rights. Past medalists are role models for the larger community, setting the standard for community values. ERVK’s medal ceremonies were brought to a halt in 2020.
2019
Chelsea Clinton
John W. Golden
Gloria Kidd Golden
Rob Litoff ’68
Zenia Selby
2018
Teresa J. Burke
Lida Douglass
Lt. Terrance H. Hulington
Roberta “Bobbie” Kapp ’69
Albert M. Kreger
Lawryn Long
2017
Randall Robinson
Steve Brad
Jessi Walters
Ken Tillman
Kathleen Tomlinson
Michael Flancher
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
Harry Belafonte, American singer, actor, and activist
John Chancellor, Journalist and news anchor
Hamilton Fish, Jr, Politician, human rights activist
John W. Golden, Community Builder, Service Philanthropist
Mother Clara McBride Hale, Humanitarian, founder of Hale House Center
Kitty Carlisle Hart, Singer, actress, and spokeswoman for the arts
Richard C. Holbrooke, Diplomat, editor, author, professor, Peace Corps official, and investment banker
Celeste Holm, Stage, film and television actress
Trude W. Lash, Political activist and advocate for children
Helen Hayes MacArthur, First lady of American theatre
Schuyler M. Meyer, Philanthropist, foundation leader, and founder of George Bird Grinnell Indian Children’s Fund
Cynthia Parsons, American writer
Norman Vincent Peale, Minister, author
Esther Peterson, Educator and women’s activist
John C. “Chips” Quinn, Poughkeepsie Journal Editor
Frances S. Reese, Founder and chairwoman emeritus of Scenic Hudson
Father Bruce Ritter, Catholic priest and founder of Covenant House
Lorraine Roberts, Teacher, historian, and community leader
Fred Rogers, Television personality and educator
Curtis Roosevelt, Author
Pete Seeger, Folk singer and social activist
Muriel Siebert, The first woman of finance
Ethel C. Torgesen, Educator
Mike Wallace, Journalist, game show host, actor, and media personality
Margaret R. Zamierowski, Community leader and former ERVK Executive Director
Rabbi Erwin Zimet, Temple Beth-El
Anne E. Dyson, Pediatrician and philanthropist
Gloria Kidd Golden, Community Builder, Service Philanthropist
Dorothy I. Height, Educator, civil rights and women’s activist
Barbara Jordan, Lawyer, educator, politician, and leader of the Civil Rights Movement
Jack A. McEnroe, Educator, Veteran, and Director of Dutchess Bank & Trust Co.
Lucille Pattison, Educator, legislator, and women’s activist
Martha Settle Putney, Educator, historian, and veteran
Christopher Reeve, Actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, author, and activist
Prof. Randall Robinson, Educator, civil rights, and social justice activist
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Educator, civil rights, and social justice activist
Jean Stapleton, Stage, film, and television actress
Gail Webster, Executive Director, Hudson River Housing