Nominate

Each year we present the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice to an individual or organization that is speaking out and taking action to confront discrimination, promote tolerance and help victims of social injustice.

We also recognize annually one or more students from our local community who exhibit a strong interest and a commitment to advancing the cause of human rights and social justice through the Rising Leader Award.

We wholeheartedly invite you to engage with us by participating in the award nomination process. Nomination forms can be completed online by clicking on the buttons below. We thank you for your interest.

Please note the deadlines below for each of our awards for the 2024/2025 time period.

  • Salem Award: Nominations must be electronically dated by November 1, 2024
  • Rising Leader Award: Nominations must be electronically dated by February 1, 2025

Salem Award Nomination Form (online)

Rising Leader Award Nomination Form (online)

 

Past Award WinnersYou may or may not recognize all the names and faces above, but there are countless people doing important, and often unheralded, work under the human rights and social justice umbrella.

Many are committed and working in their own way on behalf of others. A few of the past recipients of the Salem Award include Dr. Jonathan Shay, Jane Elliott, and our 2023 winner, Sam Mihara. A full list of past Salem Award recipients can be viewed on our Salem Award page. You can also view a detailed description of each past recipient going back to 1992 on our Award Winners page.

Now is the time to ask: Who is your hero? Whom do you know (or know of) who deserves the Salem Award? Voices Against Injustice welcomes nominations from anyone. Who is a good candidate? Any person or organization whose work is aligned with our mission:

To keep alive the lessons of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and to make known and honor the heroic work of those who speak out and take action to alleviate discrimination, promote tolerance, and achieve justice for contemporary victims of social injustice.

They may be working both here and in their homeland for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan like 2004 recipient Fahima Vorgetts.

Who will be honored next? It is up to you.

The Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice is awarded annually to an individual or organization that meets criteria established by Voices Against Injustice.