Mead 2001 Centennial Awards

Recognizing community creativity for a new century

Margaret Mead always believed in the human capacity to change, insisting that the cultural habits of racism, warfare, and environmental exploitation are learned. She promoted human diversity as a teaching tool; pointed to traditions and new institutions that had successfully adapted to a changing world; and praised groups who were inspirations, models and vehicles for learning from one another. Her goal was nothing less than intercultural and international understanding as a foundation for human freedoms.

As part of the Margaret Mead Centennial celebration, the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Whole Earth magazine joined together to honor small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens who have changed the world. The first awards were given in mid-1999, with special recognition to two other groups, and continued through the Centennial.

These awards honor organizations that reflect Mead’s broad sense of the relevance of anthropology to social action: groups that have demonstrated effective, imaginative, and compassionate actions on race, gender, culture, environmental justice, child rearing, and self-empowerment within communities. Mary Catherine Bateson, president of the IIS and Mead’s daughter, says: “We recognized groups of committed citizens who have created a level of community awareness that did not exist previously, and who have invented new social forms that can teach and inform other communities. We found organizations that have done things that can be replicated, that have wide resonance, and demonstrate the choices we have in shaping cultures for the future. My mother would have appreciated that.”

Recipients of the Mead Award and Special Recognition Awards

2002

• Award Winner: Sambhavna Clinic

2001

• Award Winner: City at Peace / DC
• Special Recognition: The Homeless Prenatal Program
• Special Recognition: Project AVARY

2000

• Award Winner: Americans for Indian Opportunity

1999

• Award Winner: Educate the Children
• Special Recognition: Hartford Artisans' Center
• Special Recognition: Institute for Social Inventions