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. It is our attempt today to acknowledge what happened 300 years ago and, in a small way, atone for the mistakes of the past. 

The Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice was established in 1992, the tercentenary of the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Award Foundation's mission is to recognize, honor and perpetuate the commitment to social justice and human rights of individuals and organizations whose work is proven to have alleviated discrimination or promoted tolerance.  The Foundation Commitee comprises members of the greater Salem and North Shore community; the Mayor of Salem and the President of Salem State College serve as co-chairs, ex officio.

The Foundation works to make the difficult work of assuring justice in contemporary society better known in our region.  We work to

• Foster tolerance, compassion and reconciliation;
• Develop and broaden the community's understanding of current inequities;
• Publicly recognize individuals or organizations working to help those who suffer discrimination and injustice; and
• Support the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, a public monument honoring those who died in 1692.

The Salem Award is supported by donations from people like you.  The City of Salem also supports the Salem Award through a ticket surcharge on proceeds from the Judge Jonathan Corwin House, also known as the Witch House.

About our logo

The logo of the Salem Award Foundation represents both those suffering from injustice, who may be unable to speak for themselves, and those who have the courage and the will to speak for them.  It is a contemporary design because our focus is on what is happening in our world now and what can be done to promote human rights today.  The logo is often used in conjunction with an earlier logo, based on a 18^th century grave marker, which reminds us of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials and the cost we all pay when intolerance and injustice are allowed to flourish.