The Profile in Courage Award is a private award given to recognize displays of courage similar to those
John F. Kennedy originally described in his
book of the same name. It is given to individuals (often elected officials) who, by acting in accord with their
conscience
Conscience is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's moral philosophy or value system. Conscience stands in contrast to elicited emotion or thought due to associations based on immediate sens ...
, risked their careers or lives by pursuing a larger vision of the national, state or local interest in opposition to
popular opinion or pressure from constituents or other local interests.
The winners of the award are selected by a committee named by the
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–1963), the 35th president of the United States (1961–1963). It is located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighb ...
, which includes members of the
Kennedy family and other prominent Americans. It is generally awarded each year around the time of JFK's birthday (May 29) at a ceremony at the
Kennedy Library
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–1963), the 35th president of the United States (1961–1963). It is located on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighb ...
in
Boston. The award is generally presented by JFK's daughter,
Caroline
Caroline may refer to:
People
* Caroline (given name), a feminine given name
* J. C. Caroline (born 1933), American college and National Football League player
* Jordan Caroline (born 1996), American (men's) basketball player
Places Antarctica
* ...
. Also before their deaths, other presenters had included John Kennedy's brother,
Ted
TED may refer to:
Economics and finance
* TED spread between U.S. Treasuries and Eurodollar
Education
* ''Türk Eğitim Derneği'', the Turkish Education Association
** TED Ankara College Foundation Schools, Turkey
** Transvaal Education Depa ...
, his son
John Jr., and his wife
Jacqueline
Jacqueline may refer to:
People
* Jacqueline (given name), including a list of people with the name
* Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), ring name "Jacqueline", American professional wrestler
Arts and entertainment
* ''Jacqueline'' (1923 film), ...
.
Two recipients,
John Lewis (in 2001) and
William Winter (in 2008), were designated as honorees for Lifetime Achievement.
The winner is presented with a
sterling silver lantern
A lantern is an often portable source of lighting, typically featuring a protective enclosure for the light sourcehistorically usually a candle or a wick in oil, and often a battery-powered light in modern timesto make it easier to carry and h ...
made by
Tiffany's which was designed by
Edwin Schlossberg. The lantern is patterned after the lanterns on the USS ''
Constitution'' which was launched in 1797. It is the last sail-powered ship to remain part of the
US Navy, and is permanently moored nearby.
Recipients
References
External links
* , wit
list of recipients
{{John F. Kennedy, state=collapsed
American awards
Humanitarian and service awards
Awards established in 1989
Courage awards
John F. Kennedy