In Photos — A History of Celebrating Environmental Activism

April 11, 2017

For nearly 30 years, the annual Prize ceremony has been the crowning moment in which we have celebrated the achievement of grassroots environmental heroism. Including 2017, we will have awarded 181 activists from 86 countries. Below are some of our favorite memories from a legacy of commemorating leaders from across the globe:

The first winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize with our founders, Richard and Rhoda Goldman in New York, 1990. From left: Bob Brown, Richard Goldman, Lois Gibbs (sitting at front), Harrison Ngau Laing (next to Lois with napkin), Janet Gibson, Duane Silverstein (former Executive Director), Michael Werikhe, Janos Vargha and Rhoda Goldman. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Dancers during the performance at the 2007 ceremony at the San Francisco Opera House. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Former Vice President and environmentalist Al Gore meets Marc Ona at the 20^th anniversary celebration of the Prize at San Francisco City Hall in 2009. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Members of the Goldman family with actor, director and voice of the Goldman Prize Robert Redford at the 20^th anniversary celebration of the Prize at San Francisco City Hall in 2009. From left: Susie Gelman, Richard Goldman, John Goldman, Robert Redford and Doug Goldman. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

As part of the Washington D.C. Prize tour, Aleta Baun (‘Mama Aleta’) met former President of the United States, Barack Obama at the Oval Office in 2013 — with fellow Prize winner, Azzam Alwash looking on. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Singers Bonnie Raitt and Graham Nash perform at the 25^th anniversary celebration in San Francisco, 2014. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Asháninka leader Ruth Buendía receives her award from Doug Goldman at the 2014 ceremony at the San Francisco Opera House. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

Jean Wiener planting trees with students at the Crissy Field Center in San Francisco, 2015. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)

The 2016 Prize winners standing for their final ovation at the 2016 ceremony at the San Francisco Opera House. (Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize)