COVID Courage
At the outset of the pandemic, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, wanted to find a way to honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic that were going above and beyond their everyday responsibilities to help those in their communities.
After a public nomination campaign, thousands of people from across the country submitted COVID Courage nominations, sharing moving stories about the commitment and sacrifice of members of their communities who put their own health at risk to help heal the sick, protect our most vulnerable, and provide critical support services.Â
Learn more about the seven honorees.
2021 Profile in Courage Award
The 2021 Profile in Courage Award goes to Senator Mitt Romney for his vote to convict President Donald J. Trump in 2020, and his consistent and courageous defense of democracy. As the first Senator to have ever voted to convict a President of his own party, Senator Romney’s courageous stand was historic.
“Senator Romney’s commitment to our Constitution makes him a worthy successor to the Senators who inspired my father to write Profiles in Courage,” said Ambassador Caroline Kennedy. “He reminds us that our Democracy depends on the courage, conscience and character of our elected officials.”
Learn more about his courageous leadership.
Congratulate Senator Romney
Senator Romney will be presented with the award’s sterling-silver lantern, symbolizing a beacon of hope. He will join a group of fellow recipients including former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, and George H. W. Bush, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, former U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Representative John Lewis and more.
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, will present the award as part of a virtual ceremony in May 2021. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, sign our digital card to congratulate Senator Romney becoming the 2021 Profile in Courage Award honoree.
Make a Contribution
Honor President Kennedy’s legacy and Senator Romney’s courage by making a contribution to sustain our work and the spirit of the Profile in Courage Award. Annually, the JFK Library shares President Kennedy’s call to public service with millions of individuals across the globe, carrying forth his enduring ideals to a new generation of courageous leaders.
You can help us continue to share inspiration, hope, and discovery through digital resources for educators and students, virtual public conversations and school trips, and our rich digital archives.
Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Celebrating Courage Contributor.