21st Annual Salem Award Honors
Two winners, 70 years of commitment to social justice
Mayor Kim Driscoll, Award Recipient Thomas Doyle, SAF Chair Julie Rose, Award Recipient
Horace Seldon, and SSU President Dr. Patricia Meservey at the Salem Award presentation
at the Peabody Essex Museum on March 26. (Photo by John Andrews)
On March 26 the Salem Award Foundation honored Thomas Doyle, 68, and Horace Seldon, 89, with the 21st annual Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice.
Before a capacity crowd at the Peabody Essex Museum’s Morse Auditorium, Mayor Kim Driscoll, Salem State University President Patricia Maguire Meservey, and Salem Award Chairwoman Julie Rose presented Doyle and Seldon each with a framed photograph of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and a $5,000 check.
The award has been given each year to a modern-day champion of human rights who refused to stay silent in the face of injustice, symbolizing the lessons and tragedies of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This is the first time that we have given the award to two individuals representing two separate causes since our inception in 1992. According to Mayor Driscoll, “The Salem Award is always a highlight of the year for me because it says that Salem has learned a vital lesson from the witch trials.”
Learn more about Doyle and Seldon.
The Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice is given each year to keep alive the lessons of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and to recognize those who are speaking out and taking action to alleviate discrimination and promote tolerance.
In recognizing and honoring them, we publicly acknowledge the powerful significance and practical consequence of their work and join them in fostering acceptance, compassion and reconciliation. The Salem Award Foundation also sponsors lectures, panel discussions and other programs on topics related to promoting human rights and social justice, and supports the public Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
Thanks to all who made the rededication possible!
The restoration of the Salem Witch Trials Memorial
would not have been possible without the
support and teamwork of the following:
The City of Salem • The Peabody Essex Museum • Eastern Bank •
Beverly Cooperative Bank • The Salem Witch Museum •
The Heritage Salem Five Charitable Foundation •
And many businesses and residents of Salem and surrounding communities!
Support the Salem Award and the maintenance of the
The Salem Award was established in 1992 as part of the activities marking the tercentenary of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The first award was given to GregAlan Williams, hero of the South Los Angeles riots, at the dedication of the then new Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
The memorial has welcomed more than 6 million visitors since 1992, and by 2012 it was in serious need of restoration. This important work has been completed, and the beautiful, award-winning public monument is now ready to welcome even more visitors in the future.
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