CW Announces Three Churchill Bell Recipients

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Colonial Williamsburg has selected Jim Lehrer, Sandra Day O’Connor and Gordon Wood for its prestigious Churchill Bell Award.

The Foundation’s highest award, the Churchill Bell, is given to those who exemplify what it means to be active and engaged citizens, building on the principles of liberty, courage, dignity and devotion to the common good. It’s shaped like a town crier’s bell and is named after its first recipient, Winston Churchill.

Since Churchill, the award has only been presented seven other times, most recently in 2004. Lehrer, a journalist, O’Connor, a former Supreme Court Justice, and Wood, a historian, are all former trustees of the Foundation. This will be the first time the prize has been given to three people at one time.

“These three outstanding citizens — journalist, jurist and historian — are preeminent in their fields, have served Colonial Williamsburg loyally and exceptionally well, and have made special contributions to the nation reflecting their commitment to fundamental American values that were first articulated in this colonial capital,” said Colin Campbell, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation president. “Awarding them the Churchill Bell honors them and inspires those who value Colonial Williamsburg’s educational mission.”

In addition to serving more than two decades on the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice O’Connor is a leader in the national movement to encourage civic engagement in the nation’s schools.

She was a trustee of Colonial Williamsburg for 12 years and an influential advocate of the quality of the Williamsburg experience for families of multiple generations. She is currently the Chancellor of the College of William and Mary.

Jim Lehrer encourages public discussion of democratic values and leadership through series such as Dialogues in Democracy, while anchoring the objective and insightful journalism of the PBS NewsHour. Moderator of 11 presidential debates, he has encouraged informed public discussion of democratic values, including venues such as the “Dialogues in Democracy” series and the World Forum on the Future of Democracy convened in Williamsburg.

He served on the Colonial Williamsburg Board of Trustees for 13 years and has chaired Colonial Williamsburg’s Raleigh Tavern Society for more than a decade.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Gordon Wood has received extraordinary recognition for his work, including the Bancroft Prize for “The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787” and the Pulitzer Prize for “The Radicalism of the American Revolution.” His latest book, “Empire of Liberty,” was a Pulitzer finalist this year and has received universally high praise.

A trustee of Colonial Williamsburg for 12 years, he has been particularly supportive of CW’s educational outreach activities and has spoken at numerous events at or on behalf of the Foundation.

The award will be presented April 30 at the Williamsburg Lodge at a private dinner. Each honoree will receive the Churchill Bell from Colonial Williamsburg President Colin Campbell and Chairman of the Board Richard Tilghman. Expected speakers during the evening include Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and historians Barbara Oberg and Michael Beschloss. Additional event viewing information is available on Colonial Williamsburg’s website.

Prior to the award ceremony, on Saturday afternoon the three honorees will participate in a panel entitled, “The Responsibilities of Citizenship.” The event, moderated by NBC Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent and Colonial Williamsburg Trustee Andrea Mitchell, addresses the state of citizen engagement in the country today. Due to limited seating, the panel discussion will be broadcast online and, during the discussion, Mitchell will take questions posted by Colonial Williamsburg followers on Twitter @colonialwmsburg.