Profile in Courage Award facts for kids
The Profile in Courage Award is a special prize created by the Kennedy family. It celebrates people who show great courage, much like the stories in John F. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage.
This award is given to individuals, often elected officials, who take big risks for what they believe is right. They might risk their jobs or even their lives by following their conscience. They do this even when it means going against what most people want, or against pressure from their voters or other groups.
A committee chosen by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation picks the winners. This committee includes members of the Kennedy family and other important Americans. The award is usually given out each year around JFK's birthday (May 29). The ceremony takes place at the Kennedy Library in Boston. Often, JFK's daughter, Caroline, presents the award. Before they passed away, his brother Ted, his son John Jr., and his wife Jacqueline also presented the award.
The winner receives a beautiful sterling silver lantern. This lantern is made by Tiffany's and was designed by Edwin Schlossberg. It looks like the lanterns from the USS Constitution, a famous ship launched in 1797. This ship is the last sail-powered ship still in the US Navy, and it's docked nearby.
What is the Profile in Courage Award?
This award honors people who show amazing bravery in public life. It's about making tough choices that might be unpopular but are important for the country, state, or local community. These brave actions often involve standing up for what's right, even when it's hard.
The award reminds us of the importance of leadership and integrity. It encourages people to act with courage and to serve the greater good.
Who Has Won the Award?
Many inspiring people have received the Profile in Courage Award. Here are some examples of their brave actions:
- Carl Elliott Sr. (1990): He was a U.S. Representative from Alabama. He worked hard to pass civil rights laws and education laws. This made many people angry and cost him his job in Congress.
- Charles L. Weltner (1991): As a U.S. Representative from Georgia, he chose not to run for re-election. He refused to support a segregationist candidate, even though it meant leaving Congress.
- Lowell Weicker (1992): As Governor of Connecticut, he introduced an unpopular state income tax. He did this to fix the state's money problems, even though it made many people upset.
- Gerald Ford (2001): As the 38th President of the United States, he made a very controversial decision. He pardoned former President Richard Nixon. Many believe this decision cost him the next election, but he felt it was important for the country to heal.
- John Lewis (2001): A famous leader in the civil rights movement, John Lewis received a Lifetime Achievement Award. He spent his life fighting for equal rights and justice.
- Public Servants of September 11 (2002): This award honored representatives from the NYPD (New York Police Department), the FDNY (Fire Department of New York), and the military. They risked their lives to help others during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
- David Beasley and Roy Barnes (2003): These governors from South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, showed courage by trying to change their state flags. They worked to reduce the use of the Confederate battle flag, which was a very sensitive issue in their states.
- Joe Darby (2005): He was a whistleblower who revealed important information about the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal. This took great courage, as it put him at personal risk.
- Gabby Giffords (2013): A former U.S. Representative from Arizona, she survived a serious assassination attempt. After her recovery, she bravely became a public advocate for reducing gun violence.
- George H. W. Bush (2014): As the 41st President of the United States, he agreed to a budget deal that raised taxes. This went against a promise he made during his election campaign. It put his chances of re-election at risk, but he did it to help the country's economy.
- Dannel Malloy (2016): As Governor of Connecticut, he bravely defended the U.S. plan to resettle Syrian refugees. He personally welcomed a Syrian refugee family to his state, even when other states turned them away.
- Mitch Landrieu (2018): As Mayor of New Orleans, he showed leadership by removing four Confederate monuments. He spoke openly and thoughtfully about why this was an important step for his city's history.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy (2022): As President of Ukraine, he was honored for his courage in protecting and defending democracy in his country during a time of great challenge.
Two people, John Lewis (in 2001) and William Winter (in 2008), were given special Lifetime Achievement awards for their long-term courage and service.
