2020
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Justice Cheri Beasley, North Carolina Supreme Court
2019
Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye
2018
Judge Ann C. Williams
2017
John Allelo
2016
Sen. Thomas Harkin
2015
Rosemary Barkett
2014
Professor Laurence H. Tribe
2013
Bryan Stevenson
2012
Carolyn B. Lamm
2011
William H. Neukom
2010
John McKay
2009
Past & Present YLD Staff
2008
Helaine Barnett
2007
William Reece Smith
2006
Hon. Helen G Berrigan
2005
Hon. Nathaniel R. Jones
2004
Congressman John Lewis
2003
Secretary Richard W. Riley
2002
Colonel George “Bud” Day
2001
Sarah M. Buel
2000
Hon. Leon Higginbatham (posthumously)
1999
Hon. Howard Baker
1998
Center for Children and the Law
1997
Dennis Archer
1996
Hillary Clinton
1995
Alexander Forger
1994
Elaine Jones
1993
Chesterfield Smith
1992
Rick Sutherland
1991
Judge Minor Wisdom
1990
Michael Posner
1989
Robert Hayes
1988
Marian Wright Edelman
1987
Morris S. Dees, Jr.
1986
Hon. Cyrus R. Vance
1985
Hon. Howell T. Heflin
1984
E. G. Marshall
1983
Bert H. Early
1982
William H. Webster
1981
Warren Christopher
1980
Wade H. McCree, Jr.
1978
Hon. Lewis F. Powell, Jr.
1977
Charles Morgan, Jr.