The Adela Dwyer - St. Thomas of Villanova Peace Award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding contributions to the understanding of the meaning and conditions of justice and peace in human communities. The award is accompanied by $1,000 and is presented at a formal address by the recipient(s) to the Villanova University community.

Center for Peace and Justice Education staff selects the award recipient from among the nominations from the Villanova community following careful consideration of the list of candidates and supporting materials. Please send your recommendations with supporting information to William Werpehowski, Director of the Center for Peace & Justice Education. Thank you.

Past Recipients

2006: Jonathan Kozul: A non-fiction writer, educator and activist, best known for his books on public education in the United States. He has become deeply involved in social justice work and is a critic of the voucher movement.

2005: Michael Berg: A local peace activist for forty years who stood opposed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Berg, with his family, were thrust into the national and international spotlight when his son, Nick Berg, was brutally murdered in Iraq in May, 2004.

2004: Archbishop Desmond Tutu: In 1984, Tutu's contribution to the cause of racial justice in South Africa was recognized when he received the highest award the world can offer - the Nobel Peace Prize.

2003: Voices in the Wilderness*: Founded in 1996 to campaign for an end to economic and military warfare against the Iraqi people, talk by co-founder Kathy Kelly.

2002: Noam Chomsky*: Professor emeritus of linguistics at MIT and one of America's most prominent political dissidents, a strong advocate for peace and justice.

2001: Congressman John Lewis: US Congress Representative from Georgia, one of the key figures in the Civil Rights Movement who has been in the vanguard of progressive social movements and the human rights struggles of the United States for over 40 years.

2000: Daniel J. Berrigan, S.J.*: A celebrated Jesuit poet, anti-war activist and radical advocate of human rights for more than half a century.

1999: Project H.O.M.E.*: Founded in 1988, Project H.O.M.E. has been a leader in providing comprehensive and effective services to persons who experience chronic homelessness in Philadelphia and in responding to the root causes of homelessness through low cost housing and political advocacy, talk by cofounder Mary Scullion, R.S.M.

1998: Rev. Roy Bourgeois, M.M.*: Maryknoll priest, social activist and founder and co-director of SOA Watch, an organization dedicated to shutting down the infamous School of the Americas (renamed Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

1997: The Catholic Worker Movement, House of Grace: Talk by Mary Beth Appel.

1996: Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J.*: Passionate advocate for abolition of capital punishment and the author of Dead Man Walking, made into a 1995 film starring Susan Sarandon.

1995: Jim Wallis*: Author, preacher, activist and editor of Sojourners, a magazine reporting and analyzing the intersection of faith, politics, and culture, making a direct link between strong biblical faith and active social engagement, theology and action, spirituality and politics.

1994: Rev. John P. McNamee: Author of Diary of a City Priest, pastor of St. Malachy Church in Philadelphia, inspired by the Rev. Daniel Berrigan, S.J., wrote several books of poetry and prose championing the rights of poor persons, including Diary of a City Priest, which was made into an inspiring film for public television (2001) available on DVD & VHS.

1993: Eileen Egan: Catholic Worker, author and founder of Pax Christi, USA.

1992: Native American Rights Fund: A non-profit organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide, talk by Walter Echohawk.

1991: Habitat for Humanity: A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization working to build simple, decent, affordable, houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter, talk by founder and president Millard Fuller.

1990: John Sobrino, S.J.: Author, advocate for the poor and oppressed.