Helen Keller Intl Award Recipients
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
