The Awards
Congratulations to Our 2023 Awardees
Each year, we recognize programs, groups, and individuals who have contributed to promoting young people’s health and well-being through personal or professional efforts.
Awardees exemplify a passion for and commitment to providing honest, affirming care and education and empowering the next generation to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
These awards will be presented at #HealthyTeen23, our annual national conference, on October 2-4 in Portland. We hope you can join us in Portland to help congratulate our 2023 award winners.
Learn more about our awards and previous awardees, below.
#StandingStrong Award
The Menstrual Dignity for Students Program
The Menstrual Dignity for Students Program from the Oregon Department of Education requires that schools provide products and dispensers in a safe, private, accessible, and gender-affirming manner. The program also guarantees that education must cover menstrual health as a positive part of being human, without shame, and in a way that is affirming and accessible for all students of all genders. To assist school districts with implementation and requirements, program staff created the Menstrual Dignity for Students Toolkit to support educators and administrators to hold student equity and menstrual dignity at the center, so all students have the opportunity for safe, dignified self-care. Read more...
Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Marlen Ramirez
Coming from a culture that usually does not have conversations about health education or reproductive health was what led Marlen Ramirez to become a Community Health Worker and a Community Health Worker Instructor in Texas. She was a teen parent whose strength and perseverance earned her B.S. in Social Sciences from Sul Ross State University and cemented her future in the helping professions. In 2016, she launched Better Futures Forever which trains teens as ambassadors to reduce teen pregnancy in southwest Texas. Currently, Better Futures Forever is one of the only training centers to provide certification to high schools in southwest Texas, by certifying one of the youngest cohorts of high school students in her Texas hometown. Read more...
Innovation
Award
Confidential Advocacy Services in Schools Program
Raphael House of Portland's mission is to engage their entire community in non-violent living through advocacy, education, and community outreach, and by providing a safe haven from domestic violence. They are driven to provide a foundation of hope for a future free from domestic violence. For over 46 years their shelter and wraparound services have helped families escaping abuse build the safe, stable, independent lives they deserve. Read more...
All About the Awards
Outstanding Former Young Parent Award
From day one, when Healthy Teen Network was founded in 1979 as the National Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (NOAPP), we have not only affirmed but often been one of but few voices, standing with young families.
Being inclusive of and affirming young people who are pregnant or parenting ensures equity for all youth.
With the Outstanding Former Young Parent Award, we recognize a former young parent who has risen to the challenges of early parenting, has achieved extraordinary personal and/or professional success, and demonstrates phenomenal leadership.
The Outstanding Former Young Parent Award not only recognizes young parents, it celebrates them and their accomplishments, for themselves, and for their families.
#StandingStrong Award
The #StandingStrong Award celebrates individuals or organizations who are champions, standing up with and for the rights of all young people.
Our nation’s young people face continued and escalating attacks on their sexual and reproductive health rights, driven by ideology and partisan agendas. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is essential to the well-being of our nation, but it takes a legion of us, #StandingStrong, to create a world where every young person can realize their right to live their authentic sexuality.
That means making decisions about their own body and relationships—and feeling good doing it. Decisions about if, when, and how to parent—or not. And the freedom to become who they want to be.
The #StandingStrong Award recognizes those who fight for young people’s access to inclusive, affirming, and truthful sexual and reproductive healthcare services and education.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is near and dear to our hearts here at Healthy Teen Network because innovation helps us create solutions to meet the ever-changing lives of young people.
With the Innovation Award, Healthy Teen Network recognizes innovation and achievements in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. A creative and youth-centered approach to problem-solving starts with young people and ends with innovative solutions tailor-made to meet their needs.
There are so many different kinds of innovative solutions—from helping young people get the answers they need, to finding the right care, to feeling good about their sexuality, and so much more.
The Innovation Award celebrates individuals or organizations committed to holistic and innovative approaches to promote equity, reduce health disparities, and be inclusive and affirming of the needs of all young people.
What Are We Looking For?
- Nominees should have made outstanding contributions in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. See the award descriptions above for more information on each award.
- Nominees should have demonstrated leadership, creativity, and effectiveness.
- All awardees must make a commitment to attend the annual Healthy Teen Network Conference on the day they are to receive their award, at a minimum.
- Organizations and agencies employing Healthy Teen Network board members are not eligible nominees.
What Do I Need to Nominate?
Complete the Award Nomination Form below by June 15, 2023, 11:59 PM ET. You will need to provide:
- A headshot/photo of the nominee (PNG, GIF, JPG, or JPEG files, 2MB maximum, 500×500 pixels minimum). This photo will be used in the award announcement, in marketing materials, on the conference website, on social media, and on the conference app.
- A brief bio of the nominee. If applicable, a brief history of the nominee’s involvement in the field, including a summary of their focus.
- Clearly stated reasons for proposing this nominee.
- Three letters of support for the nomination, two of which must come from outside the nominee’s organization/agency.
- Optional: Any other supportive materials (e.g., websites, news articles, brochures, etc.) as hyperlinks or PDF/Word documents.
What Happens Now?
- The Healthy Teen Network Conference Committee reviews awardee applications and recommends award recipients.
- Healthy Teen Network staff make the final selection of award recipients.
- We will notify awardees no fewer than 60 days prior to the first day of the conference.
What If I Am the Awardee?
- Awards will be announced on the Healthy Teen Network website and social media channels in the weeks leading up to the conference.
- Awards will be presented at the Healthy Teen Network conference, Take Care and Take Action, in Portland, October 2-4, 2023 (exact date of award presentation TBD).
- Awardees will be welcomed to accept their award and share a few short remarks during a general conference session.
- Awardees will be provided with a travel stipend, full conference registration, and one complimentary hotel night stay.
The nomination period for the #HealthyTeen23 Awards is now closed. We will be accepting nominations for #HealthyTeen24 Awards in the spring of 2024. Sign up for our email updates to be sure to get the call for awards announcement.
Previous Awardees
Zander Moricz
Jessica Ray “J.R.” Chester
2020 Awardees
2018 Awardees
Pat Paluzzi, #StandingStrong Award
Nelly Vianna, Youth 360° Innovation Award
Miki Rutledge, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Karin Coyle, Douglas B. Kirby Researcher of the Year
Tara Beeston, Chrissy Cmorik, & Rachel Miller, Spirit of Service Award
Shirley Nash Weber, Spirit of Service Award
2016 Awardees
Kristin Fairholm, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Paula Braverman, Douglas B. Kirby Researcher of the Year
Young Women United, Youth 360° Innovation Award
Purple W.I.N.G.S., Spirit of Service Award
2014 Awardees
Susan Tortolero Emery, Douglas B. Kirby Adolescent Research Award
Jean Warren Lindsay, Spirit of Service Award
#NoTeenShame, Spirit of Service Award
Corey Jones, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Georgia Public-Private Partnership to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (GCAPP), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Mary Jo Podgurski, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
2012 Awardees
Peter L. Benson, Researcher of the Year Award
Leah Herbert, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
GENESISTER (Boulder County Public Health), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Amy Schalet, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
2010 Awardees
Kristin Anderson Moore, Researcher of the Year Award
Janet P. Realini, Spirit of Service Award
Mark Strama, Spirit of Service Award
Laura Buxton, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Michele Vaughn, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
BrdsNBz (SHIFT NC), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Elizabeth Schroeder, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
Lorraine Vogel Klerman, Lifetime Achievement Award
2008 Awardees
Carol Cassell, Outstanding Researcher Award
Diane Denish, Spirit of Service Award
Alfredo Vigil, Spirit of Service Award
Linda Lopez, Spirit of Service Award
Kathy Harms, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
The Denver Teen Pregnancy Prevention Partnership, Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
The Freshmen Focus Program (Palmetto Health Community Services of South Carolina), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Elizabeth Schroeder, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
2006 Awardees
Claire D. Brindis, Outstanding Researcher Award
Lillian Harris, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
No Kidding: Straight Talk from Teen Parents, Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Wesley Shelter, Outstanding Intervention Program Award
SHINE Program, Outstanding Prevention Program
Juanita Weber, Outstanding Individual Professional
2021 Awardees
Although the world began to reopen in 2021, we still had concerns regarding the safety and well-being of both our staff and attendees. In light of these concerns, we made the decision to hold #HealthyTeen21 as a virtual event. As a result of our team’s efforts to redesign the conference, we also decided not to accept nominations for awards in 2021.
2019 Awardees
Cole Williams, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Judith Herrman, Douglas B. Kirby Researcher of the Year
Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, Youth 360° Innovation Award
Deon Haywood, #Standing Strong Award
Patricia Haynes Smith, Spirit of Service Award
2017 Awardees
Joseph Yusef, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Abraham Wandersman, Douglas B. Kirby Researcher of the Year
Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy, Youth 360° Innovation Award
Ariana B. Kelly, Spirit of Service Award
Delores Goodwin Kelly, Spirit of Service Award
2015 Awardees
Aisha Mix, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Lesley Del Rio, Outstanding Former Teen Parent
Richard P. Barth, Douglas B. Kirby Researcher of the Year
University of Michigan Health System, Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Brandon Scott, Spirit of Service Award
B’More for Healthy Babies, Spirit of Service Award
Middle Grades Partnership Students, Spirit of Service Award
2013 Awardees
Ralph DiClemente, Douglas B. Kirby Adolescent Research Award
Otis S. Johnson, Spirit of Service Award
Lisa Carter, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Gender Matters (EngenderHealth), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Barbara Kemp Huberman, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
2011 Awardees
Freya Lund Sonenstein, Researcher of the Year Award
Chelsa Wagner, Spirit of Service Award
Lilah Fisher Wise, Spirit of Service Award
James Wagoner, Spirit of Service Award
Afterschool Health and Sexuality Education Program
Héctor Sánchez-Flores, The Carol Mendez Cassell Award for Excellence in Sexuality Education
2009 Awardees
John Santelli, Outstanding Researcher Award
Michael Carrera, Spirit of Service Award
Michele Ozumba, Spirit of Service Award
Tchernavia Ranesfore, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
The Lucas County, Ohio Youth Development/Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Response-Ability Pregnant and Parenting Program (RAPPP), Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Sharon Rodine, Healthy Teen Network Pioneer Award
2007 Awardees
Laurie Schwab Zabin, Outstanding Researcher Award
Robert Chew accepting on behalf of HBO, Spirit of Service Award
Karen Pittman, Spirit of Service Award
Loren Harris, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Future Promises, Outstanding Emerging Innovation for Young Families Award
2005 Awardees
Barbara W. Sugland, Outstanding Researcher Award
Ounce of Prevention Fund, Spirit of Service Award
Henry A. Waxman, Spirit of Service Award
Jo Lerberg, Outstanding Former Teen Parent Award
Home Based Contraception Program, Outstanding Emerging Innovation Award
Bette J. Gifford, Outstanding Individual Professional
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