The Abolition Award – Part of a long and noble tradition of abolitionist movements in the United States—most notably the successful movement to abolish slavery—is the growing effort to abolish the death penalty. Both of these movements have faced entrenched and fierce opposition that has been modulated, but not overcome, with the passing of generations. The Abolition Award is given each year to an individual or group who inspires us to recognize that the struggle to abolish the death penalty—however resisted—is a just and humane pursuit, one in which we can all take pride and from which humankind will benefit.