Since 1966, The Western Branch of the ACLU of Michigan honors an individual or organization who has advanced the cause of civil liberties in Western Michigan with the Civil Libertarian of the Year Award.
The roster of former recipients is a collection of awe-inspiring names and stories.
Past Recipients of the Civil Libertarian of the Year Award
1966 - Sam Himmelstein Grand Rapids attorney who volunteered his services for a number of civil liberties cases in the 1950s and '60s.
1967 - Rev. Robert Selleck Minister of Trinity Methodist Church and an outspoken advocate for civil rights.
1968 - Jerry McCroskey Muskegon attorney who was very active in the ACLU at the state and local level and won some significant cases.
1969 - Art Heimer Communications Director of the UAW regional office and early chairperson of the Western Michigan Branch Board.
1970 - Douglas Hillman Grand Rapids attorney, Federal Court judge and active member of the Western Michigan Branch Board who served as volunteer counsel for cases taken on by the Board.
1971 - William Glenn Grand Rapids civil rights activist for the NAACP and Urban League and advocate for the elderly.
1972 - Rev. Duncan Littlefair Minister of Fountain Street church, prominent spokesperson for civil liberties and early founding member of the West Michigan Branch.
1973 - Stan Junas Long-time member of the West Michigan Branch and State Board who actively contributed time, energy and printing services.
1974 - Jo and Chester Graham Long-time civil rights activists in the Muskegon area.
1975 - Phyllis Ball Active member of the WMB Board and chairperson of the Board
1976 - Frances and Walter Bergman Life-time activists for civil liberties and for peace and justice, Walter served on the WMB Board.
1977 - Gilbert Davis For many years the spokesperson for the ACLU in West Michigan, Gilbert also taught civil liberties at GVSU and was the father of our yearly Bill of Rights Day Dinner.
1978 - Joe Renihan Grand Rapids attorney and prosecutor, member of the WMB Branch and State boards and cooperative attorney for many cases, Joe was a principled conservative who supported individual rights.
1979 - H. Rhett Pinsky Grand Rapids attorney and supporter of civil rights, and cooperative attorney for a number of WMB cases.
1980 - Gerald A. Elliot Editorial writer for the Grand Rapids Press and columnist, Gerald was an articulate voice in the media for civil liberties.
1981 - Albert Dilley Grand Rapids attorney with a passion for separation of church and state, argued the “shared time” case against the Grand Rapids Public Schools in the Supreme Court.
1982 - Helen Claytor Activist for civil rights and women’s rights.
1983 - Legal Aid of Western Michigan Honored for providing counsel and direct representation in civil cases to help low-income persons use the legal system to protect their rights and interests.
1984 - Sol Bach Long-time active ACLU member and officer of the WMB Board, and a representative of the faithful, largely anonymous Board members who do most of the work of the organization.
1985 - Jay Wabeke Long-time active ACLU member in the Ottawa-Muskegon county area, member of both the local and state Board, and tireless advocate for separation of church and state.
1986 - Bruce Klein A long-time member and chairperson of the WMB Board who began the telephone help-line and represented WMB on the State Board for 18 years.
1987 - Kent County Office of the Defender Honored for providing effective representation to indigent persons accused of crimes who cannot afford an attorney.
1988 - Judith Campbell Frey Advocate for reproductive choice and chairperson of MI Republicans for Choice.
1989 - Stephen R. Drew Grand Rapids attorney and civil rights activist.
1990 - June Carr Long-time ACLU Board member and activist for civil liberties in Big Rapids area.
1991 - Fountain Street Church Honored for being an incubator for social change, the church has provided space and support for WMB Board activities since the 1950s.
1992 - Dr. W. W. Plummer, Jr. Prominent local physician, very active in the NAACP and an advocate for civil liberties.
1993 - Nannette Bowler Advocate for children’s rights and Director of the Children’s Law Center.
1994 - George Heartwell Senior Pastor for Heartside Ministry, catalyst for services in the Heartside area, advocate for homeless and marginal persons in Grand Rapids, and GR City Commissioner.
1995 - Ed Prong Long-time peace activist, member of the WMB Board, and dedicated volunteer in the Heartside area.
1996 - Virgilia Wade Advocate for children and families and long-time member of League for Woman Voters.
1997 - Kent Mudie GR attorney, long-time member of WMB Board including three years of service as chairperson and active member of the Lawyer’s Committee.
1998 - Deborah Nelson Snow High school government teacher with a passion for teaching the U.S. Constitution, Deborah coached a series of successful teams in the “We the People” competition.
1999 - Jim Weaver Long-time member and officer of the West Michigan and ACLU of Michigan Boards and indefatigable promoter of membership in the ACLU.
2000 - Jeff Swanson and Dennis Komac Pioneers who advocated for equality in Western Michigan.
2001 - Kate Pew Walters A nationally acknowledged advocate for the rights of handicapped individuals.
2002 - Wayne Bentley Honored for years of tenacious effort to compel Kent County to correct errors that had prevented fair minority participation in jury selection.
2003 - Jeff Smith Founder and Director of the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy which holds local media accountable for fair and meaningful reporting.
2004 - Karen Henry Honored for her sustained advocacy for human rights and diversity plus extensive work for equal justice and treatment of Arab-Americans and women.
2005 - Greg Forbes Years of effective work opposing anti-science (Intelligent Design) legislation and school curriculums.
2006 - Dirk Koning Visionary Executive Director for the Community Media Center and a nationally known advocate for civil liberties through the public access TV, radio, film and internet access.
2007 - City of East Grand Rapids Mayor Cindy Bartman and Council Members changed the City’s public assembly ordinances to assure protestors could peacefully use city streets, sidewalks etc. without challenge.
2008 - PROACTIVE Kathi Harris and Angel Nelson initiated and guided 200 volunteers during the 2004 and 2008 elections: People Reaching Out And Coming Together Increasing Voter Empowerment.
2009 - Owen Bieber Former International UAW President and life-long social justice activist.
2010 - Kary Love Practicing law in Chicago and West Olive, Mich., Kary Love has tirelessly advocated against employment discrimination related to race, religion and disability and has challenged illegal search and seizure policies throughout the region.
2011 - Jerry Subar Posthumous acknowledgement of years of commitment and support to the Western Board and multiple civic causes.
2010 - Kary Love Practicing law in Chicago and West Olive, Mich., Kary Love has tirelessly advocated against employment discrimination related to race, religion and disability and has challenged illegal search and seizure policies throughout the region.
2011 - Jerry Subar Posthumous acknowledgement of years of commitment and support to the Western Board and multiple civic causes.
2012 - Michael Nelson
2013 - Mary Alice Williams
2014 - Nancy A. Waters
2015 - Kathy Humphrey