Sister Helen Prejean - honorary degrees and awards

2018

  • Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Salve Regina University, Providence, RI

2016

  • Honorary Doctor of Divinity, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

2014

  • Belle Harris Bennett Vision Award, Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
  • Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA

2013

  • Robert M. Holstein Faith That Does Justice Award from the Ignatian Solidarity Network
  • Living Legends Award for Service to Humanity, The Living Legends Awards Organization, Fulton, MD
  • Honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AK

2011

  • Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Great Falls, Great Falls, MT
  • Honorary Doctor of Divinity, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA
  • The Otis Social Justice Award, Wheaton College, Norton, MA
  • National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Lifetime Achievement Award, Chicago, IL

2010

  • Honorary Doctor of Laws from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Gaudium et Spes Award, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
  • President’s Medal, Mt. Saint Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD
  • Cunningham-Carey Award, Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

2009

  • Honorary degree from Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, CA
  • The Archbishop Oscar Romero Award from Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA
  • Honorary degree from Drury University, Springfield, MO
  • Honorary degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

2008

  • World Methodist Peace Award, New Orleans, LA
  • Honorary degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
  • Honorary degree from Edgewood College, Madison, WI
  • The Gaudium Award from The Breukelein Institute, Brooklyn, NY
  • Ethics Award, Marymount University, Arlington, VA

2007

  • The Zhakanaka Peace Award from the “Peace in the City” Campaign, Philadelphia, PA
  • Honorary degree from Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX
  • Honorary degree from Marion College, Fond du Lac, WI
  • Honorary degree from Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
  • Dignitatis Humanae Award from University of St. Thomas, School of Law in Minneapolis, MN
  • Honorary citation from the City Council of Philadelphia, PA

2006

  • Honorary degree from the University of Portland, Portland, OR
  • Standard for Christ Award from the Jesuit Volunteer Corps: South, TX
  • Chancellor Distinguish Honor Award from the University of California-Berkley, Berkley, CA
  • Humanitarian Award from DePaul University, College of Law, Chicago, IL
  • Honorary degree from Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

2005

  • Chief Justice Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award from the ACLU Foundation of Northern California
  • Oliver-Sigur Humanitarian Service Award from The Louisiana Council of Human Relations, LA
  • Death Penalty Focus Award
  • Honorary degree from Neumann College, Ashton, PA
  • Honorary degree from St. Francis University, Loretta, PA
  • Honorary degree from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
  • Peace Prize, Ypres, Belgium
  • Honorary degree from St. Francis College, Brooklyn, N
  • Commendation for Humanitarian Efforts given by the State of Mississippi

2004

  • Cardinal Suenens Award from John Carroll University in University Heights, OH
  • Honorary degree from Cuny Law School in Queens, New York, NY
  • Honorary degree from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA
  • Honorary degree from Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA
  • Honorary degree from City University of New York, NY
  • Honorary degree from Regis University, Denver, CO

2003

  • Franciscan International Award from Franciscan Retreats, Prior Lake, MN
  • Honorary degree from Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL
  • Honorary degree from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
  • James Cardinal Gibbons Medal from Catholic University of American, Washington, DC
  • Assembly Resolution honoring Sr. Helen from the Toledo City Council, Toledo, OH
  • The Dignitas Humana Award from St. John’s School of Theology, Collegeville, MN

2002

  • The Ut Diligatis Invicem Award from Gannon University, Erie, PA
  • Honorary degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN
  • Honorary degree from Marygrove College, Detroit, MI
  • Honorary degree from Governors State University, University Park, IL
  • Honorary degree from University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
  • Honorary degree from National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
  • Caritas Award from Catholic Charities in Paterson, New Jersey
  • Dignitas Humana Award from St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary, Collegeville, MN

2001

  • The Harry F. Fagan Roundtable Award
  • Honorary degree from St. Mary of the Woods from Terra Haute, IN
  • Honorary degree from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV
  • Honorary degree from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA
  • Honorary degree from Hendrix College in Conway, AR
  • Honorary degree from St. Rose College in Albany, NY
  • Arkansas Travelers Ambassador of Good Will given by the State of Arkansas

2000

  • The Bishop Dingman Peace Award from the Catholic Peace Ministry in Des Moines, IA
  • The Bishop Carroll Dozier Peace and Justice Award from the Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN
  • Honorary degree from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada
  • Honorary degree DePaul University in Chicago, IL
  • Honorary degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA
  • The Human Rights Award from The St. Anthony Messenger in Padua, Italy
  • Honorary degree from St. Thomas University in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada
  • Honorary degree from Alvernia College, Reading, PA
  • Special recognition given by the Ohio Senate

1999

  • Honorary degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA
  • Honorary degree from Maryville University in St Louis, MO
  • Honorary degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, FL
  • Honorary degree from Avila College in Kansas City, KS
  • Honorary degree from Cabrini College in Radnor, PA
  • Honorary degree from the University of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
  • Honorary degree from Holy Cross College in Worchester, MA
  • The Catholic Woman of Achievement Award from the College of St. Elizabeth, NJ
  • The 1999 U.S. Catholic Award from the U.S. Catholic Magazine in Chicago
  • The Pope John XXII Award at Viterbo College in La Crosse, WI
  • The Alumna of the Year Award from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada
  • The Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Catholic Women
  • Centennial Catholic Woman of Achievement Award from Lourdes College in Sylvania, OH
  • Centennial Catholic Woman of Achievement Award from St. Norbert College in DePerre, WI
  • Pope John XXIII Award from Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI

1998

  • The Ben Smith Award from the American Civil Liberties Union in New Orleans, La
  • The Robert O. Cooper Fellowship in Peace and Justice Award
  • The Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA
  • The Abolitionist of the Year Award from Juneau, Alaska
  • The award at the 5th annual celebration of Women Week from Y.M.C.A. in New Orleans, LA
  • Honorary degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA
  • Honorary degree from Notre Dame College in Manchester, NH
  • Honorary degree from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA
  • Honorary degree from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT
  • The Peacemakers Award from ROCA, Inc.
  • Honorary Faculty Award from New England College, NH
  • The Ketteler Award for Social Justice from the Sisters of Divine Providence, Kingston, MA
  • Arkansas Travelers Ambassador of Good Will given by the State of Arkansas

1997

  • Honorary doctorate from Mt. St. Vincent College in Riverdale, NY
  • The Carondelet Medal from Mt. ST. Mary College in Los Angeles, CA
  • Honorary doctorate from Amherst College in Amherst, MA
  • The Louisiana Legends Award in Baton Rouge, LA by Louisiana Public Broadcasting
  • Honorary degree from Fontbonne College, Clayton, MO
  • “Sr. Helen’s Day” declared by the State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA

1996

  • Honorary degree from Regis College in Weston, MA
  • Honorary degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ
  • Honorary degree from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA
  • Honorary degree from St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY
  • Honorary degree from George Town University in Washington, DC
  • Torchbearer Award from the Dominican College in New Orleans, LA
  • Alliance for Justice award
  • The Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN
  • Invited to carry the torch for the Olympics in New Orleans on May 24,1996
  • The St Thomas More Award from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, TX
  • The Vision 2000 Courage Award from Catholic Charities U.S.A.
  • The 1996 Roger Baldwin Award from the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Massachusetts
  • The Humanitas Prize as a consultant for the film Dead Man Walking
  • The Eyewitness Award of the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  • The Adele Dewyer - St. Thomas of Villanova Peace Award by Villanova University Center for Peace and Justice
  • The Florida Lasker Civil Liberties Award by the New York Civil Liberties Union
  • The Pope Paul VI Teacher of Peace Award by Pax Christi USA
  • The “Kindly Light” Award given by the University of Toronto, Newman Center in Toronto, Canada
  • Sword of Loyola from Loyola University, Chicago, IL

1995

  • The New Orleans Business Women’s Owners Association Achievers Award
  • Citizen of the Year Award from Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
  • The Wade Mackie Award Peacemaking Award from Bienville House in Baton Rouge LA
  • Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Glasgow, Scotland
  • The Justice Albert Tate, Jr. Award from the National Association of Defense Lawyers in New Orleans, LA
  • Recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
  • The Christopher Spirit Award, New York, NY

1994

  • The Champion of Liberty Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (first time given to a non-lawyer)
  • Pax Christi USA Book Award (Honorable mention)
  • The Melcher Book Award (Honorable mention) given by the Unitarian Universalist Association
  • Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice by Paulist Center, Boston, MA
  • Lifelines Book of the Year from the Lifelines Association in the United Kingdom
  • The Abolitionist Award from the Death Penalty Focus, California
  • “Esse non Videre” award (“To be and not to seem”) from St. Joseph’s College, New York, NY
  • The National Civil Liberties Award from the American Civil Liberties Union, Georgia
  • Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights Award from Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
  • Named among “100 Fearless Women” by Mirabella Magazine

1993

  • The Christopher Award was given to Dead Man Walking for “artistic excellence affirming the highest value of the human spirit”
  • The Herbert and Sara Ehrmann Award from Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty
  • Named one of The Most Confident Women in America by McCall Magazine
  • Assembly Resolution honoring Sr. Helen from the California Legislature, CA

1992

  • The National Abolitionist Award given by the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
  • The Catholic Press Association Journalism Award, Best Short Story - Beloved Sons

1990

  • The Sanctity of Life Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
  • The Mike McGough Award from the Convocation of Jail and Prison Ministers

1986

  • The Abolitionist Award from the Louisiana Capitol Defense Project
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