About the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award

Established in 1992, the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award is named after the former U.S. Senator from Maine, who jeopardized her career by speaking out against the red-baiting tactics of Senator Joseph P. McCarthy in the 1950's.

Award recipients are recognized for similar acts of political courage, uncommon character, and selfless action in the realm of public service. Emphasis is placed on more recent acts of courage, rather than historical examples.

Pictured here (l-r):  Nevada Secretary Ross Miller nominated 2008 Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award recipient Ruby Duncan, founder of the Operation Life Community Development Corporation, also pictured with NASS President Pedro A. Cortes, PA.

News Release:  NASS to Honor Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as 2009 Margaret Chase Smith Award Recipient (07/19/09)


MCS Award Recipients:

2009 - Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor, Former Supreme Court Justice
2008 - Ruby Duncan, Civil Rights Activist/Founder, Operation Life Community Development Corp
2007 - Hon. John J. Sirica, Chief Judge Presiding over the Watergate Scandal
2006 - No award
2005 - Morris Dees and Joseph Levin, Jr., Co-Founders, Southern Poverty Law Center
2004 - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Leadership Response 9/11/01
2003 - Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, ADA Legislation
2002 - Former President Jimmy Carter, World Peace & Democracy Advocate
2001 - Robert Parrish Moses, The Algebra Project
2000 - Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, Opposed Apartheid in South Africa
1999 - Doris "Granny D" Haddock, Campaign Finance Reform Advocate
1998 - George J. Mitchell, Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland
1997 - Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of the U.S. Special Olympics
1996 - Daisy Bates, Civil Rights Advocate
1995 - Jim and Sarah Brady, Gun Safety Advocates
1994 - Elizabeth Dole, President of the American Red Cross
1993 - Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Heroine
1992 - Former U.S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith 

Nomination & Selection Information

NASS sends member offices a nominating form that includes instructions on how to submit a nomination and deadlines for doing so.  The recipient is selected by a vote of the full membership.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The designated recipient is announced at the NASS summer meeting.  Presentation of the award takes place at the following NASS winter conference in Washington, DC.