# The US Peace Prize

The US Peace Prize is an annual award given by the US Peace Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization that recognizes the "most outstanding and prominent American antiwar leaders." The award's first recipient was Cindy Sheehan in 2009. The mission of the prize is "to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and to work for peace." The award is presented during an annual ceremony. Prize winners receive a plaque, but no monetary award. They are also designated as Founding Members of the US Peace Memorial Foundation.

## History

The US Peace Prize is awarded by the US Peace Memorial Foundation, a not for profit 501(c)(3) antiwar organization founded by peace activist and scholar Michael D. Knox in 2005.

## Selection process

Nominees are selected from those listed in the US Peace Registry and must have documented antiwar activities within the 16-month period leading up to April 30 of the nomination year.
Nominations for the prize are submitted by honorees and founding members of the US Peace Memorial Foundation. The US Peace Memorial Foundation’s Board of Directors chooses the winner.
The 2024 Peace Prize nominees were: Community Peacemaker Teams, Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, Louis H. Pumphrey, and Ellen Thomas.

## Recipients

These are the people and organizations that have received the US Peace Prize:
| Year | Recipient | Recognition |
| 2009 | Cindy Sheehan | "Extraordinary and innovative antiwar activism.” |
| 2010 | Dennis Kucinich | “In recognition of his national leadership to prevent and end wars.” |
| 2011 | Noam Chomsky | “Whose antiwar activities for five decades both educate and inspire.” |
| 2012 | Medea Benjamin | "In recognition of her creative leadership on the front lines of the antiwar movement." |
| 2013 | Chelsea Manning | “For conspicuous bravery, at the risk of her own freedom, above and beyond the call of duty.” |
| 2014 | Code Pink | “In Recognition of Inspirational Antiwar Leadership and Creative Grassroots Activism.” |
| 2015 | Kathy Kelly | “For inspiring nonviolence and risking her own life and freedom for peace and the victims of war.” |
| 2016 | Veterans for Peace | “In recognition of heroic efforts to expose the causes and costs of war and to prevent and end armed conflict.” |
| 2017 | Ann Wright | “For courageous antiwar activism, inspirational peace leadership, and selfless citizen diplomacy.” |
| 2018 | David Swanson | “Whose inspiring antiwar leadership, writings, strategies, and organizations help to create a culture of peace.” |
| 2019 | Ajamu Baraka | “Whose bold antiwar actions, writings, speeches, and leadership provide an inspiring voice against militarism.” |
| 2020 | Christine Ahn | “For bold activism to end the Korean War, heal its wounds, and promote women’s roles in building peace.” |
| 2021 | World Beyond War | "For exceptional global advocacy and creative peace education to end war and dismantle the war machine." |
| 2022 | Costs of War Project | "For Crucial Research to Shed Light on The Human, Environmental, Economic, Social, and Political Costs of U.S. Wars.” |
| 2023 | National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth | "For National Efforts to Stop U.S. Military Influence on Young People, Saving Lives Here and Abroad." |
| 2024 | Friends Committee on National Legislation | "For Efforts Over 81 Years to Educate, Build Coalitions & Influence Congress to Stop Funding War & Nuclear Weapons.” |