2001
Dr. Jack Nelson
Professor Emeritus of Social Studies Education
The Graduate School of Education
Rutgers University-New Brunswick

2000
Dr. Gary Nash
University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

1999
Patsy and Nadine Cordova
Albuquerque, NM
 

1996
Ralph Adams
Felicity-Franklin High School
Felicity, OH

"I believe that intellectual freedom incorporates all of the First Amendment protections; in order for our free society to continue students and teachers cannot be prohibited from exploring any topic"

1995
No recipient

1994
No recipient

1993
Cindy Betz
Meridian Education Association
Meridian, ID

1992
Cynder Viles
Centrailia, WA

1991
The Honorable Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.

1990
Gretchen Klopfer
Orange High School
Hillsborough, NC

1989
No recipient

1988
James Anthony Whitson
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA

1987
Margaret Chase Smith
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation
Skowhegan, ME

1986
Ron Shukar
Center for Teaching International Relations
University of Denver
Denver, CO

1985
Kathyrn Ratte
Bear Creek High School
Lakewood, CO