Awards & Honors

The Gold Medal

The Gold MedalEstablished:   1941
Designed by: Lucille Sinclair Douglass, sculptor
Represents:   Winged Victory standing upon the arc of the world.

The Society’s highest honor is awarded to a member whose original, innovative, or pioneering contributions are of major significance in understanding the world’s cultures and environment.

For a list of past recipients click here.

2011 Gold Medal Recipient
Dr. Susan ShawDr. Susan Shaw

Award received for: her pioneering research documenting harmful impacts of man-made chemicals on marine life including widespread contamination of North Atlantic marine mammals by toxic flame retardants.An outspoken and influential voice on ocean pollution, Shaw dove in the Gulf of Mexico oil slick in 2010 and focused the national debate on the hazards of chemical dispersants. Her research continues to influence public health and toxics policy in the US and abroad.

Click here to read Dr. Susan Shaw’s bio

Outstanding Achievement Award

Outstanding Achievement AwardEstablished: 1978
Design:   Personalized certificate with the SWG seal.

This honor is awarded to a member who has made an outstanding contribution or service of lasting benefit to Science, the Arts, or Humanity.

For a list of past recipients click here.

2011 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients

Mary Crowley
Identified and brought to the public’s attention the floating island of plastic in  the North Pacific Gyre. She started an organization and raised funds to combat the problem and enlisted the help of other scientific organizations and local fishermen to collect the plastic and arranged for its being recycled.

Dr. Helen Kennedy
Specialized in the plant family Marantaceae known as prayer plants in fast disappearing rain forests all over the world. And possibly introduced them for cultivation thus saving them from extinction.

Dr. Elizabeth White
Spear heading the heroic rescue of a fellow climber on Makalu II in 1980 and for her contributions to fostering understanding of the Islamic World and particularly her help to women in Pakistan and Afganistan.