Convention photos: FFRF Awards

FFRF this year introduced the new Avijit Roy Courage Award, which includes a crystal plaque and $5,000. The award honors the life and work of the Bangladeshi-American atheist and author assassinated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2015 by Islamist terrorists. The inaugural award was given to the LGBTQ+ magazine Roopbaan, and was accepted by co-founder Rasel Ahmed. Avijit Roy’s surviving spouse Bonya Ahmed, presented him with the honor. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF, recognizing the special contributions of women to freethought and the battle to keep state and church separate, bestowed the 2018 Freethought Heroine Award to Sarah Haider (left), co-founder of the Ex-Muslims of North America. She was presented the award by FFRF Legal Assistant Kristina Daleiden. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Ensaf Haidar (right) earned the 2018 Henry H. Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award. Last year’s recipient Maryam Namazie presented her with the award, which includes a $10,000 prize. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffmann (center) stands with FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel (left) and FFRF Co-President Dan Barker after receiving the Emperor Has No Clothes Award, given out annually since 1999 to public figures who make known their dissent from religion. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, right, shows off his Emperor Has No Clothes Award while posing with FFRF Co-President Dan Barker (center) and FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal. The award celebrates “plain speaking” on the shortcomings of religion by public figures. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick Elliott (right) presented David Steketee with FFRF’s Freethinker of the Year award, given to recognize successful defenders of the constitutional principle of separation between church and state. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Debra Deanne Olson (left) and Craig Wilkinson were each given the Courage To Tell the Truth Award, honoring the late California Gov. Culbert Levy Olson, Debra’s grandfather. They co-authored a book about the atheist governor, who is pictured with hand in pocket, not on a bible. FFRF Board Member Stef Moritz presented the awards. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Jocelyn Williamson earned FFRF’s Nothing Fails Like Prayer Award, which is given for the best secular “invocation” at a government meeting. Williamson gave four secular invocations in 2018. Presenting the award was Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger.(Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood, speaks with a convention attendee after receiving FFRF’s Forward Award, which goes to a freethinker who significantly moves society forward. (Photo by Chris Line)

John de Lancie was given FFRF’s new Clarence Darrow Award, which is a bronze statuette that is a miniature version of the 7-foot-tall statue of Darrow created for FFRF by sculptor Zenos Frudakis, now standing on the lawn of the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn., where the Scopes trial took place. The award is an all-purpose award to recognize civil libertarians, those who promote science and/or freethought, as Darrow advocated. Presenting the award to de Lancie was atheist activist Margaret Downey and Frudakis (not pictured). (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Convention photos: FFRF Awards

Become a Member

Stay Connected

Listen to our Podcast

About Us

Help

Terms of Use