28th Annual FFRF Convention Honorees & Speakers
Photography by Brent Nicastro
Senator Ernie Chambers, Neb., of Marsh v. Chambers fame, received a "Hero of the First Amendment" award for his 40 years of stalwart support of secularism in the Nebraska statehouse and his challenge of paid chaplains at the legislature.
Foundation co-president Dan Barker bestowing the "Emperor Has No Clothes" statuette to 2005 recipient Oliver Sacks, M.D., eminent neurologist and a bestselling author. The award recognizes public figures for "plain speaking" on religion. Dr. Sacks, in his writings, identifies himself as an atheist.
Nan Aron, president of the watchdog Alliance for Justice, spoke about threats to the Supreme Court and an independent judiciary.
Jennifer Musgrove, a first-year college student who just won a court case to keep her high school graduation secular, received the Ruth ("Dixie") Jokinen Student Activist Scholarship of $1,000.
Robin Morgan, celebrated feminist author, activist and former editor of Ms. Magazine, is an outspoken atheist whose upcoming book, Fighting Words, will be a defense of secularism. Robin received the "Freethought Heroine 2005" award.
David Corn, Washington, D.C. editor of The Nation and a frequent media commentator.
Dan Barker handing David Habecker a "Freethought Hero" plaque. David spoke movingly about being recalled from public office in Estes Park, Colo., for not reciting the religious Pledge of Allegiance.
Cartoonist Don Addis, recently retired from 40 years of cartooning for the St. Petersburg Times, holds one of his cartoons displayed at the conference and in an entertaining slideshow. Don received a "Freethought in the Media -- Tell It Like It Is" award.
Foundation member Dianna Narciso (left), with Annie Laurie Gaylor, Foundation co-president. Dianna, co-plaintiff with Jennifer and David Musgrove in a winning lawsuit, was given the Foundation's Statuette of Liberty "Friend of the First Amendment" award.