The Spirit of America Award
The Spirit of America Award, which is co-sponsored by NCSS and Social Studies School Service, was created to give recognition to an individual who has made a significant contribution that exemplifies the “American Democratic Spirit.” The award honors persons who follow their conscience and act against current thinking in order to stand up for equity, freedom, and the American spirit of justice.

2023 Award Winner
Zoe Weil is the recipient of the 2023 Spirit of America Award. She is the co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE), where she created the first graduates programs in comprehensive Humane Education, linking human rights, environmental preservation, and animal protection, offered online through an affiliation with Antioch University. She is a frequent keynote speaker at education and other conferences and has given six TEDx talks, including her acclaimed "The World Becomes What You Teach" . She is the author of seven books, including The World Becomes What We Teach, Educating a Generation of Solutionaries, Nautilus silver medal winner Most Good, Least Harm, Moonbeam gold medal winner Claude and Medea, and Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times. Ms. Weil was named one of Maine Magazine's 50 independent leaders transforming their communities and the state and is the recipient of the Unity College Women in Environmental Leadership award. She was also a subject of the Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series.
List of previous award winners:
Year Received
Recipient Name