ALBA/PUFFIN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 2025
Call for Applications
Prize Amount $100,000
Apply Here!
The ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Award is an annual prize of $100,000 presented by the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives and the Puffin Foundation. It is dedicated to the activist tradition of the U.S. volunteers who joined the International Brigades to fight in the Spanish Civil War to stem the rise of fascism.
These volunteers came from all walks of life, workers, students, artists, writers, multi-ethnic groups of men and women who defied U.S. law and risked their lives for anti-fascist principles. As war veterans, they returned home to organize in many civil rights, anti-war and pro-worker campaigns. Their work embodied the interrelationship of class, race, gender, and ethnicity for successful activism both domestically and internationally. The ALBA/Puffin award supports those whose work continues this legacy of the Lincolns.
The deadline for applications is October 15, 2024. Please submit your application via a Google Form here. The application must include:
- Name of individual(s) or organization to be nominated
- Nominee’s contact information: address, email, phone, website
- Nominator’s contact information (if applicable – applicants can self-nominate)
- A justification for the nomination – no more than 500 words
- A brief explanation of how the International Brigades, The Lincoln Brigade, the American Medical Bureau, and their activism after the war serve as an inspiration for the nominee’s activist work – no more than 150 words
- Links to supporting documentation which may include news articles, websites, social media activity, publications, or other documents
The selection committee is composed of representatives of ALBA and the Puffin Foundation.
ALBA/PUFFIN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 2024
The Winner of the 2024 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism is
18by Vote
The 2024 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism has been awarded to 18by Vote. One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
18by Vote creates sustainable civic leadership among young people who have been historically excluded from positions of leadership and power. Founded in response to low youth voter turnout in the 2016 general election, they have since activated hundreds of thousands of young people across the country to engage civically.
“I am thrilled to accept the ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism on behalf of 18by Vote,” said Ava Mateo, Executive Director. “In alignment with the legacy of the International Brigades, young people are continuing to rise up in support of human rights but they need our support to make their voices heard at the polls this Fall. This award will be transformational in our ability to activate young Americans nationwide during and beyond the 2024 election.”
The ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism is an initiative to sustain the legacy of the experiences, aspirations, and idealism of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. It supports contemporary international activists and human rights causes. A philanthropist and visionary, the late Perry Rosenstein of The Puffin Foundation created and established an endowed fund for this award in 2010.
“18by Vote is doing absolutely critical work, helping young people understand and navigate the voting system and be active participants in democracy who demand that their voices be heard and acted upon. This type of work is desperately needed both for presidential elections but also for the many other elections and civic opportunities that take place in between them. Given what these elections could mean for democracy both in the US and abroad, 18by Vote’s work is needed now more than ever.” said Jack Mayerhofer, Chair ALBA Human Rights Committee
“The all-white and male founding fathers did not include the right to vote in the Constitution and as a result our country has seen more than 200 years of struggle for emancipating, expanding, and protecting the electorate. With efforts to disenfranchise voters only increasing in recent years, it has fallen on youth champions like 18by Vote to help educate their peers and increase youth participation in elections. We owe them our thanks and look forward to their work ahead.” said Neal Rosenstein, President of The Puffin Foundation.
An in-person award ceremony in New York City was held on May 4.
2023 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Indigenous Women Rising
Fifty years after Roe v. Wade, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) announced that the 2023 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism has been awarded to Indigenous Women Rising (IWR). One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.
Following the assault against reproductive rights after Dobbs v. Jackson, ALBA and The Puffin Foundation renewed their commitment to reproductive justice, particularly in underserved communities. IWR is committed to honoring Native & Indigenous People’s inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options through accessible health education, resources, and advocacy.
IWR is an Indigenous-led full-spectrum reproductive justice organization. They help Indigenous families pay for and access abortion care, menstrual hygiene, culturally sensitive education, and midwifery funding and support.
Now, IWR creates the space for Indigenous people to tell their stories on their terms as an act of resistance, self-love, and love for ancestors and family. They reclaim what colonialism and white supremacy have tried to take away: identity, culture, tradition, and language.
“The Supreme Court’s deplorable Dobbs decision that stripped away federal privacy and reproductive rights is yet another horrifying setback for those seeking to manage their own bodies and health. But the impact of such decisions has always fallen hardest on marginalized populations. That’s why the work of Indigenous Women Rising is all the more impactful and important to support. We’re honored to be presenting this year’s ALBA/Puffin Award to them for their targeted, meaningful work that honors the inherent health rights of Native and Indigenous People.” said Neal Rosenstein, President of The Puffin Foundation
“Indigenous Women Rising (IWR) is honored to receive the ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism,” said Rachael Lorenzo, Executive Director of Indigenous Women Rising “Indigenous people’s rights throughout the world have been trampled by colonialism, disrupting our connections with each other, our children, our land, and all other living beings. Our work is built on our own traditional Pueblo and Apache values that our matriarchs are powerful and our children are the future. Abortion has always been a part of our story and our right to our own bodies is the most sacred thing we have. We knew, based on our individual life circumstances, and the threat of war, famine, or pending migration, can alter an individual’s decision to terminate their pregnancy. It’s not so different than now. We will always make sure our people have access to the care they want, whether it’s abortion or prenatal care because we believe denying our sexual selves is inhumane.”
“We are privileged to have Indigenous Women Rising as the recipient of this year’s ALBA/Puffin Human Rights Award,” said Jack Mayerhofer, chair of ALBA’s Human Rights Committee. “IWR is tirelessly advocating and working for reproductive justice for those whose human rights have been unacceptably curtailed both before and since the reprehensible June 2022 decision. Due to centuries of systemic and deep-seated racism, Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada have for too long been denied the health care and justice they deserve, and this is only being made worse by Dobbs v. Jackson. We are honored to partner with an organization that so boldly combats this racism and fights for the healthcare and reproductive rights of Indigenous communities.”
A Live Online Gala!
Honoring the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
&
Life After Hate
The event was broadcasted live on ALBA’s Facebook page.
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2022 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Is Awarded to
Life After Hate
On the one-year anniversary of the horrific assault on our nation’s capital, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) announces today that the 2022 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism will go to Life After Hate (LAH). One of the largest monetary awards for human rights in the world, the ALBA/Puffin Award is a $100,000 cash prize granted annually by ALBA and the Puffin Foundation to honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who volunteered in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to fight fascism under the banner of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. The award ceremony will take place at a live online gala on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Due to the alarming rise of fascism in America, as witnessed one year ago in Washington, ALBA and The Puffin Foundation renew their commitment to combating far-right extremism. LAH is an organization whose mission is helping people leave the violent far-right to connect with humanity and lead compassionate lives. Their vision is a world that allows people to change and contribute to a society without violence. The work of LAH will help ensure that the horrendous events of January 6 are never repeated.
Life After Hate is a leader in the violence intervention community and the first nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to helping individuals disengage from violent far-right hate groups and hateful online spaces. Since its founding in 2011, LAH has expanded its services to include family members of individuals who are involved with or are disengaging from the violent far-right.
A central part of the LAH mission is their innovative approach to interventions. A multidisciplinary team model pairs former violent extremists and mental health practitioners to help individuals leave hate and violence frameworks and to set and manage their goals to restore their lives.
“The work and message of Life After Hate has never been more valuable and more needed. A daily diet of media-infused disinformation touted by self-absorbed politicians spewing far-right rhetoric has led to more and more Americans turning to violence and hate groups. The success of Life After Hate’s outreach, research, and interventions shows that we can overcome this hate and have people reconnect with humanity and lead compassionate lives.” said Neal Rosenstein, President of The Puffin Foundation
A Live Online Gala!
Honoring the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
&
My Brother’s Keeper
Broadcasted Live from ALBA’s Facebook Page
Sunday, May 2nd, 5 PM EDT/2 PM PDT
The Event lineup included Billy Bragg, Guy Davis, Miriam Elhajli, A Selection from Goodbye Barcelona, and more!
Letters of Solidarity from Our Sister Organizations for 2021 Annual Gala
2021 ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism
Is Awarded to My Brother’s Keeper
Letters of Solidarity from Our Sister Organizations for 2020
The ALBA 2020 Live Online Gala.
Broadcasted Live from ALBA’s Facebook Page
The event lineup included Sarah Lee Guthrie, Velina Brown, Bruce Barthol, Pedro & Luis Pastor, and more!
Tenth ALBA/Puffin for Human Rights Activism (2020): No More Deaths/No Más Muertes
Ninth ALBA/Puffin for Human Rights Activism (2019): The Immigration Justice Campaign
Eighth ALBA/Puffin for Human Rights Activism (2018): The Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Seventh ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2017): Proactiva Open Arms
Sixth ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2016): Lydia Cacho and Jeremy Scahill
Fifth ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2015): Asociación para la Recuperación de la Memoria Histórica
Fourth ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2014): Bryan Stevenson
Third ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2013): United We Dream
Second ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism (2012): Kate Doyle and Fredy Peccerelli
