Our Theme: "The Urgency of Now—A Time for Truth and Action" 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate, journalist, and free speech advocate Maria Ressa will give the keynote speech at this year's Social Justice Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the Hanover Inn Grand Ballroom and via livestream on the main Social Justice Awards website. The awards recognize Dartmouth alumni, faculty, staff, and Upper Valley community members for their commitment to education, community building, public health, civil rights, and economic, environmental, and social justice locally and worldwide. 

Register to attend this year’s award ceremony, explore other ways to engage, and learn more about this year’s speaker and award honorees below!

Keynote Registration – Register to attend this year’s award ceremony. 

HOP Film– Join us for a special free and unticketed viewing of “A Thousand Cuts,” which is based on Maria’s work in the Philippines and what led to her winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 pm. 

Community Reading Group  – Are you an employee interested in learning more about Maria's fight for free speech? Join the CRG today or if already a member, update your book selection status to receive a free copy of Maria’s book “How to Stand Up to A Dictator.” 

A huge thank you to our 2026 co-sponsors:

Keynote Speaker - Maria Ressa

CEO of Rappler, Journalist, Author, Freedom Advocate and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Maria Ressa is the co-founder and CEO of Rappler.com, an online news organization in the Philippines. Maria’s courage and work on disinformation and 'fake news’ culminated in her being awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her "efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace." Her numerous awards include being named Time’s 2018 Person of the Year and listed among its 100 Most Influential People of 2019, and its 100 most influential women of the century. 

A journalist for over 36 years, Ressa was CNN’s bureau chief in Manila, before opening and running its Jakarta bureau, where she became CNN’s lead investigative reporter focusing on terrorism. In 2012, she co-founded Rappler, an online news platform with an ethos of a small tech start-up, starting with a team of 12 reporters and developers. 

In 2019, the Philippines government filed 10 arrest warrants against Maria, followed by her arrests on multiple trumped-up charges. She was convicted of cyber-libel in June 2020 for a story she didn’t write, edit, or supervise at a time when the law she allegedly violated didn’t exist. She is out on bail pending her appeal but true to form, Ressa, vows to keep fighting.

Honoring staff, faculty, or alumni who have dedicated more than 20 years to their chosen field and have consistently promoted awareness, understanding, or action for the common good in areas such as community building, education, civil rights, public health, economic, environmental, or social justice.

Charles R. Thomas Jr. '79

Chair and Professor of Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences at Geisel School of Medicine

The author or co-author of more than 380 articles and co-editor of multiple textbooks, Thomas is recognized as a scholar and mentor whose nearly four‑decade career exemplifies sustained excellence, leadership, and advocacy for equity in medicine. While renowned internationally for his foundational contributions to radiation oncology, he also has mentored generations of underrepresented students, trainees, and early career physicians, creating a legacy of both scientific advancement and community building.

Recognizing alumni whose lifelong commitment to public service has been exemplary. Granger Award recipients have exhibited leadership and innovation in meeting community needs and benefiting an underserved population. 

Cathleen Caron '92

Founding Director of Justice in Motion 

Cathleen Caron is described as a lifelong and unwavering advocate for justice whose more than 20‑year career has centered on defending the rights and dignity of migrants and other underserved communities. As Founder and Executive Director of Justice in Motion, she is credited with building a globally impactful organization that has supported tens of thousands of migrants through immigration, civil rights, and labor advocacy, while consistently responding to emerging human rights crises. Nominators highlight her moral courage, truth‑telling leadership, and ability to confront difficult systems with clarity and compassion. Her work is praised not only for its scale and effectiveness, but also for the way she inspires others to engage critically, act ethically, and commit themselves to social justice without fear or shame.

Recognizing faculty and staff who demonstrate an enduring interest in and ability to build and enhance diversity through sustained effort, enriching the lives of surrounding community members. This enrichment helps foster a safe environment where a community can learn, collaborate, and innovate.

Bala Chaudhary, PhD

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

Dr. Bala Chaudhary is widely recognized for her sustained, evidence-based leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within STEM and at Dartmouth. Across mentoring, scholarship, and community-building, she has created safe, empowering environments for marginalized students and colleagues, most notably through founding WOCinEEB, which now supports a global network of over 500 women and non-binary people of color. Her work integrates rigorous research with practical DEI strategies, reflected in influential publications and the establishment of durable affinity groups and mentoring structures. Consistently described as compassionate, innovative, and persevering, Dr. Chaudhary’s efforts have significantly enriched the Dartmouth community and beyond by fostering belonging, collaboration, and long-term structural change.

This award honors individuals outside of Dartmouth College who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to social justice in the Upper Valley. It recognizes community members who work tirelessly to promote inclusion and the well-being of all, whether through grassroots activism, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, direct service, or community building. Recipients above all embody the values of compassion, resilience, and moral courage, inspiring others to build a more just and inclusive society. 

Martha Tecca T'87

Chair of the Board at Supporting and Helping Asylees and Refugees (SHARe) 

Martha Tecca is praised as a linchpin of compassionate, grassroots social justice work in the Upper Valley, whose leadership has strengthened community responses to immigration, resettlement, and belonging. As Chair of the Board of SHARe, she is described as holding together the often unseen but essential work of supporting refugee and immigrant families through housing, healthcare, education, and advocacy. She’s also known for her bold moral clarity, tireless behind‑the‑scenes labor, and ability to mobilize networks across faith, nonprofit, and civic spaces. Her contributions are characterized not by visibility or accolades, but by steady, relational leadership that ensures vulnerable community members are supported, protected, and welcomed with dignity.

Honoring a Dartmouth community individual who has served between 10 and 20 years in their chosen field of work.

Carmen Lopez '97 

Executive Director, College Horizons & Member, Native American Visiting Committee

Carmen Lopez is a citizen of the Navajo Nation from Black Mesa, Arizona, who is praised for her decades-long, transformative leadership in advancing educational access and success for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. As Executive Director of College Horizons since 2009, she has helped more than 4,000 Native students pursue higher education, achieving exceptional outcomes in college admission, matriculation, and graduation, and establishing the organization as a national “gold standard.” Beyond her nonprofit leadership, Carmen serves Dartmouth in multiple advisory roles, including the Native American Visiting Committee, where she provides expert guidance to institutional leadership and advocates for the future of Indigenous communities. She is widely respected by peers, families, and admissions professionals for empowering Native students to tell their stories authentically and for her sustained, visionary commitment to educational equity and social justice.

Jodi Guinn '09

Associate Director and Senior Clinical Instructor, Harvard Education Law Clinic

Jodi Guinn is a deeply committed educator, advocate, and mentor whose career has focused on protecting and advancing the rights of children with disabilities and those affected by trauma. Through her leadership at Harvard Law School’s Education Law Clinic, she not only provides high‑impact legal advocacy for low‑income families but also prepares and inspires the next generation of public‑interest lawyers. She has been commended for her humility, clarity of values, and intentional approach to flattening hierarchies, creating learning environments rooted in respect, bravery, and ethical reflection. Her sustained advocacy, legislative engagement, and mentorship have produced lasting change well beyond individual cases, shaping students who carry her principles into lifelong careers in service.

Recognizing employees or recent graduates who have served fewer than 10 years in their chosen field. 

Sarah Kelly, PhD

Lecturer and Research Associate in Geography and Research Scientist and Co-Founder of the Energy Justice Clinic at the Irving Institute for Energy and Society

Dr. Sarah Kelly is recognized as an outstanding emerging leader whose work seamlessly integrates scholarship, teaching, and community‑driven action in pursuit of energy and environmental justice. As co‑founder and leader of Dartmouth’s Energy Justice Clinic, she is credited with building participatory, respectful research partnerships that directly benefit marginalized communities in the Upper Valley and abroad. Nominators highlight her commitment to co‑creating knowledge with those most affected by inequity, her mentorship of students as collaborators and change‑agents, and her ability to translate research into tangible policy and funding impacts. Her leadership stands out for its humility, rigor, and transformative effect on both community partners and student learning.

Honoring students or alumni groups for their commitment to promoting social justice in our community and beyond.

Tuck Community Consulting

Co-Chairs: José Caraveo, T'26; Maddy Hinesley, T'26; and Ethan Mulvey, T'26. 

Tuck Community Consulting is celebrated as a deeply impactful, student‑led organization that uses business skills as a tool for social good by providing pro‑bono consulting to local nonprofits and small businesses. The current co‑chairs have significantly expanded and strengthened the program by matching more than 15 community partners with dedicated student teams and investing extensive time recruiting, training, and supporting participants. The group is praised for its thoughtful responsiveness to community needs, strong relationships with long‑term partners, and commitment to student learning grounded in service. Collectively, the organization exemplifies how sustained student leadership can generate real, mutually beneficial impact in the broader community. Clients have included organizations in the arts, clean energy, consumer products, environmental issues, health care, housing, microfinance, services for children and women’s needs.