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The Spirit of Helen Keller Award

The Spirit of Helen Keller Award was established in 1959, during Helen Keller’s lifetime. The Award commemorates her unique legacy and expresses appreciation for her role as a founder and trustee of Helen Keller Intl, as well as our counselor of international relations, traveling the world on behalf of those with vision loss. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual or institution to the alleviation of blindness on a worldwide scale. 

2023

The public-private partnership that worked tirelessly and successfully to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem in Mali:
The Ministry of Health of Mali and the National Program for Eye Health, Pfizer, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The Carter Center, Sightsavers, The International Trachoma Initiative, the Lions Clubs International Foundation, RTI International, The END Fund, The United States Agency for International Development.


2022

Eleanor Crook, Co-founder of the Eleanor Crook Foundation


2019

Dr. Andrew S. Fisher and The Lavelle Fund for the Blind


2018

Yetnebersh Nigussie, Disability rights activist and inclusion advisor at Light for the World


2016

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations


2015

Bill and Melinda Gates, Co-Chairs, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation


2013

Kate Ganz, Trustee and devoted advocate


2012

William Foege, M.D., M.P.H., world-renowned epidemiologist and pioneer in the elimination of smallpox, polio and river blindness


2010

Perkins School for the Blind, accepted by Steven M. Rothstein, President


2009

David Green, Social Entrepreneur, Founder and Executive Director of Project Impact


2008

Gordon and Llura Gund, Co-Founders, Foundation Fighting Blindness


2007

Daniel G. Sisler, Ph.D, Retiring Chair of Helen Keller Intl Board of Trustees


2006

Dr. Alfred Sommer, M.D., M.H.S. Dean Emeritus, Johns Hopkins University


2000

His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, Kingdom of Morocco
Gale Bensussen, President, Leiner Health Products
John S. Crowley, Chairman Emeritus, Helen Keller Worldwide


1999

Ayako Sono, Chairperson, The Nippon Foundation
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, South Africa


1998

Jansen Noyes, III


1994

The People of Indonesia, Suharto, Former President of Indonesia
J. Brian Atwood, Administrator, USAID
Tony Hall, United States Congressman
Donald H. Hubbs, Chairman, The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation


1991

Dr. Francisco Contreras, Director General of the Instituto Nacional de OftalmologÌa, Perú
Dr. Newton Kara Jose, Director, University of Campinas, Brazil
Hoffmann-La Roche Task Force
SIGHT AND LIFE


1989

Merck & Company Inc.
Dr. Susan T. Pettiss, Director of Vitamin A Program, Helen Keller Intl


1988

Dr. and Mrs. Norval E. Christy, United States, Christian Hospital, Taxila, Pakistan


1987

Dr. G. Venkataswamy, M.S., F.A.C.S., India Director, Aravind Eye Hospital


1983

Ryoichi Sasakawa, Chairman, The Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation


1980

United States Agency for International Development


1979

The International Association of Lions Clubs


1978

Eric T. Boulter, C.B.E., United Kingdom, Director-General, Royal National Institute for the Blind; former Associate Director, Helen Keller Intl


1977

Henry R. Labouisse, Unites States Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)


1976

John Ferre, M.D. (posthumous award), United States Director, National Society for the Prevention of Blindness; Member, American Foundation for Overseas Blind Advisory Committee on Blindness Prevention


1973

James S. Adams, United States, President, Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.; Director, American Foundation for Overseas Blind


1971

Lord Fraser of Londsdale, United Kingdom, Chairman, St. Dunstan’s, London


1970

Sir John F. Wilson, United Kingdom, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind


1968

George L. Raverat, France, Director, European Office, American Foundation for Overseas Blind


1960

Colonel Edwin A. Baker, Canada, Founder and Managing Director, Canadian National Institute for the Blind; President, World Council for the Welfare of the Blind

The Helen Keller Humanitarian Award

The Helen Keller Humanitarian Award was established in 2007 to recognize the significant support of individuals or institutions for their sustained humanitarian efforts around the world.

2021

Henry C. Barkhorn, retired financial executive; former Partner, Goldman Sachs; former Chair, Helen Keller Intl; philanthropist and advocate


2020

Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, providing meals to those suffering in the wake of disasters; restauranteur


2018

Bradford Perkins, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Perkins Eastman Architects


2017

TOMS, accepted by Jim Alling, CEO


2016

Desmond Fitzgerald, Founder- Hope for Poor Children Foundation


2015

Dr. David Nabarro, numerous roles including UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on COVID, Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General on Food Security and Nutrition, Coordinator of SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition movement), and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Ebola


2014

Tom Arnold, internationally renowned economist and humanitarian, former CEO of Concern Worldwide


2013

Honorable Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State of the United States


2009

Johnson & Johnson and Brian D. Perkins, Corporate Vice President, Corporate Affairs


2008

Merck & Co., Inc. and Richard T. Clark, Chairman, President and CEO

The Helen Keller Legacy Award

The Helen Keller Legacy Award was established in 2005 to recognize the significant on-going support of an institution for the work of Helen Keller Intl.

2011

Reader’s Digest, Partners for Sight Foundation, accepted by Susan Olivo, Executive Director


2009

Christie’s Inc. and Christopher Burge, Chairman


2007

Allergan, Inc. and David E.I. Pyott, CBE, Chairman of the Board, CEO


2006

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, accepted by H. Rodgin Cohen, Chairman and Partner

The Helen Keller Visionary Award

The Helen Keller Visionary Award was established in 2005 to recognize recognizes the new leadership of an institution whose generosity and innovation is enabling Helen Keller Intl to achieve its mission. 

2022

Carla Hall, Internationally Recognized Author, Chef, and Television Personality; Helen Keller Intl Board of Trustees


2021

Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, Co-Founders and CEOs, Warby Parker


2013

Barry Palmer, Vice President, Lions Club International


2011

L’Occitane en Provence, accepted by Reinold Geiger, Chairman and CEO


2010

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), accepted by Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director


2006

H.J. Heinz Company and William R. Johnson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer