The Pauli Murray Award

PAULI MURRAY AWARDS mural 2019Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life.  

The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents.  Click here for information on the most recent and upcoming Pauli Murray Awards event.


29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards

The 29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 3:00-5:00 pm at 300 W. Tryon St. in Hillsborough. 

Award Nominations

Nominations for the 29th Annual Pauli Murray Awards were due by January 21, 2019. This year's winners are:

  • Lorie Clark-Adult Awardee
  • Joe Van Gogh-Business Awardee

Student Essay Contest

Essay submissions for the 2019 Student Essay Contest were due by January 21, 2019. This year's winners are:

  • Middle School
    • Jordan Huang-Guy B. Phillips Middle School
    • Annie Papazaglou-McDougle Middle School
  • High School
    • Hannalee Isaacs-Chapel Hill High School  

This year's prompt: What do you feel was Pauli Murray’s biggest contribution to the lives of women and/or people of color? In addition, please describe in your essay a meaningful personal experience that reflects the acceptance of, or advocacy for, diversity and inclusion.

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Pauli Murray Award Winners

Year Youth Adult Business
1990 -- Louise Echols
Ralph Pendergraph
Rev. Tim Kimrey
 --
1991 *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held
1992 *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held
1993 -- Charlotte Garth Adams --
1994 -- Midred Berkeley --
1995 -- Rebecca Clark --
1996 -- Allan "Lightning" Brown --
1997 Alicia Hermann (Keesling) Timothy Miles --
1998 Liala Edwards Hazel Lunsford --
1999 Danielle Brittany Price Aubrey Chris Nutter Weaver Street Market
2000 Jacquelyn Lynn Payne (Rogers) Bonnie B. Davis
Joe Herzenberg
 Sports Endeavors
2001 Kristin Mattison Peter Richard Kramer Women's Workout Club
2002 Rachel McCook Shirley Marshall Carol Woods Retirement Community 
2003 Laura Williamson Mariah Ann McPherson Kelsey's Cafe
2004 -- Frances Finney --
2005 *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held
2006 -- Florence D. Soltys Balloons and Tunes
2007 -- Dorothy Johnson
Frances Jones
 Fleet Feet Sports
2008 Camellia Lee Josephine Holman-Long Cliff's Meat Market
2009 Elizabeth McManus Robert L. Campbell DooR to DooR
2010 *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held *No Ceremony Held
2011 Joseph DeVito Maggie West Chapel Hill Rehabilitation and Healthcare
2012 Emma Morris Crystal Fisher --
2013 Desaray Rockett Judith Blau Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe
2014 Emma Catanzaro Elizabeth "Binnie" Davis
Walter Faribault, Jr. 
 Music Makers Relief Foundation
2015 Linnea Van Manen
Ruth George
 Reyna Rivera
Deborah Stroman
 --
2016 Korie Dean Flicka Bateman Mediterranean Deli
2017 Kenzi Patrick Mariela Hernandez --