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Press Release 11/16/2010
ANNENBERG FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES THE SALEM AWARD
Salem, MA – You can’t apply for it. You get a call and then a letter in the mail saying you’ve won. It can be a “game changer” for a small non-profit organization like the Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights and Social Justice. The renowned Annenberg Foundation, established by former Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, has just awarded the organization a two-year unrestricted grant of $25,000. This represents a significant contribution to the foundation, which was established in 1992 during the 300th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials.
“We are absolutely thrilled,” said Salem Award Foundation Co-Chair, Meg Twohey. “This will enable us to contemplate new programs to fulfill our mission to acknowledge what happened in 1692 and, through this history, to educate people about present day injustices. We are deeply indebted to the Annenberg Foundation and to our colleagues at the Witch Museum, who brought us to the Foundation’s attention.”
Charles Weingarten visited Salem last fall to research the history of the witch trials in preparation for a possible film. He contacted Alison D’Amario, Patty MacLeod and Tina Jordan, of the Salem Witch Museum. D’Amario and MacLeod were instrumental in establishing the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Salem Award Foundation. During his exploration at historic sites with local experts, they told him about the Salem Award and its mission to educate the public through the lessons of the trials.
Mr. Weingarten, the grandson of Walter Annenberg, is one of four trustees charged with fulfilling the foundation’s mission to advance public well-being through improved communication and to provide funding and support for nonprofit organizations that have a deep level of community involvement while tackling challenging and timely problems.
Co-Chair Neal DeChillo, echoed Twohey’s comments. “This is an extraordinary opportunity that can truly take us to the next level in our programming and our ability to bring greater attention to the courageous individuals whose work we honor. At the same time, it can build awareness for our own work in educating the community about the importance of speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Fittingly, the Annenberg Foundation grant was announced on the occasion of a former Salem Award recipient’s return to Salem. Fahima Vorgetts received the 2004 Salem Award for her work supporting the women and children of her native Afghanistan; she spoke at the Tabernacle Church on November 5th on her current work and views of the war.
When she learned of the grant, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said, “The Salem Award is such an important symbol of what the witch trials really mean to Salem and what kind of community we want to be. This is a tremendous honor for the Salem Award Foundation; I can’t wait to see where they go with it.” The mayor was instrumental in allocating 25 cents of every admission to the city-owned Witch House to the Salem Award Foundation.
The Salem Award Foundation for Human Rights and Social Justice www.salemaward.org was established in 1992. The Salem Award is presented annually to individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the cause of human rights and social justice. In May 2010, Greg Mortenson received the Salem Award for his work building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, the Salem Award Foundation offers programs on human rights and social justice and supports the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
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