Mario Savio Award

Mario Savio, a man of brilliance, compassion, and humor, came to public notice as a spokesman for the Free Speech Movement at the University of California in 1964. Having spent the summer as a civil rights worker in segregationist Mississippi, Savio returned to Berkeley at a time when students throughout the country were beginning to mobilize in support of racial justice and against the deepening American involvement in Vietnam.

This award, which carries a cash prize of $6000, is presented each year to a young person (or persons) with a deep commitment to human rights and social justice and a proven ability to transform this commitment into effective action. The recipients should have demonstrated leadership abiliy, creativity, and integrity. The cash award is divided equally between the individual recipient and an organization of his/her choosing.

Nominations for the Young Activist Award may be submitted at any time by filling out the Nomination Form. Nominations for the next award are due by June 30. Finalists will be asked to submit further supporting documents (letters of recommendation, articles by or about the candidate, etc.) Anyone may nominate a candidate, including members of the general public. The Lecture Board may also solicit nominations for activists who have come to its attention. All material should be submitted by e-mail to savio@sonic.net

Preference will be given to candidates who have not been widely recognized and do not have personal privilege or a strong institutional base of support.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Nominees should be:

• Between ages 16-26;
• Engaged in activism for social change, promoting the values of peace, human rights, economic or social justice, or freedom of expression (this year preference will be given to activism for economic justice, broadly interpreted);
• Acting not alone but within the context of an organization, social movement, or larger community effort;
• Considered by others within that context as an inspirational leader or motivating force;
• Work is centered in the United States;
• Willing to attend award ceremony in Berkeley, California (expenses paid).

Nominate a young activist (MS-Word)

Moreinfo: http://www.savio.org/young_activist_award.html