Public Policy Awards

Chalkley-Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar Award


The Chalkley-Fenn Public Policy Visiting Scholar Award was established in 1990 to honor Gladys Branegan Chalkley, president and treasurer of AAFCS from 1940-1942. Dr. Chalkley founded the Montana Affiliate of AAFCS, as well as the state's dietetic association and its chapter of the American Association of University Women. The scholarship is also funded by a gift from the estate of Geraldine G. Fenn, a South Dakota native who was an Extension 4-H Specialist in Montana. After retirement, Fenn spearheaded development of the Montana 4-H Foundation for Montana and served as a youth advocate at state and national levels. Today, it is supported by donations from AAFCS members who believe in public policy and the utility of civic engagement. 

For more details on the Chalkley-Fenn award and availability of funding, please contact the AAFCS at awards@aafcs.org

Other Public Policy Awards

21st Century Community Champion

The 21st Century Community Champion Award, established in 2001, recognizes groups, organizations, and companies that promote the connection between strong families and strong communities by creating viable projects and activities that build communities in which families are valued, supported, and strengthened.

21st Century Community Champion Award will not be given in 2017-18.

21st Century Community Champion Award Recipients

2014
Sew Much Comfort

2013
Jacob Wetterling Resource Center

2009
The Dibble Institute

2008
Second Harvest (now Feeding America)

2005
General Mills

2004
Sears Roebuck and Company

2003
Kettering Foundation

2001
Annie E. Casey Foundation

Friend of the Family

Established in 1984, the Friend of the Family Award acknowledges national or international leaders whose work has significantly and positively shaped policies that affect the family.

Friend of the Family Award will not be given in 2017-18.

If you have any questions, please contact awards@aafcs.org. Thank you.

Friend of the Family Award Recipients 

2013
Coats & Clark

2011
American Cleaning Institute 

2009
The Dibble Institute
Sue Sasser

2008
America's Second Harvest: The Nation's Food Bank Network
Mike Y. Wagner
William P. Niemeyer

2006
Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (WV) and Sharon Percy Rockefeller

2005
Tony Knowles
Former Governor of Alaska

2004
Patrick Bresette
Associate Director
Center for Public Policy Priorities

2003
Senator Tom Daschle
Senate Minority Leader
South Dakota

2002
Aaron Feuerstein
Owner, President, CEO
Malden Mills, Inc.
Lawrence, MA

2001
The Honorable James B. Hunt, Jr.
Former Governor of North Carolina
Advocate Children's Education

1999
Rob Reiner
Actor, Director, & Chairman, Castlerock Entertainment
Advocate for Children

1998
 William Raspberry
 Nationally Syndicated Columnist, The Washington Post
Humanitarian

1997
Millard and Linda Fuller
Founders, Habitat for Humanity
Humanitarian

1996
The Honorable Albert Gore, Jr. and Mrs. Tipper Gore
Vice President of the United States

1995
The Honorable Nancy Kassebaum
United States Senator

1994
The Honorable William H. Natcher
United States Representative

1993
Hillary Rodham Clinton
First Lady of the United States
Advocate for Children and Families

1992
David Jordan
Editor-in-Chief
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
Advocate for the Homeless

1991
Mary Hatwood Futrell
Former President, National Education Association
Educator

1990
Stephen E. Upton
President, Whirlpool Foundation
Philanthropist

1989
The Honorable Pat Schroeder
United States Representative

1988
Marian Wright Edelman
Founder and President, Children's Defense Fund
Social Activist

1988
The Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan
United States Senator

1987
The Honorable Daniel R. Coats
United States Senator

1986
The Honorable Quentin N. Burdick
United States Senator

1985
William "Bill" Cosby, Jr.
Actor, Comedian, Educator

1984
The Honorable George Miller
United States Representative