Congratulates Honorees

16^th ANNUAL OLENDER FOUNDATION AWARDS

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Wednesday, December 5, 2001

The Olender Foundation Honors Heroes at the Kennedy Center  

The Olender Foundation, headed by Washington malpractice lawyer Jack Olender and his wife Lovell, held its 16th Annual Awards gala at the Kennedy Center on December 5, 2001. Tributes were presented to Senator John Edwards, widely touted as a Democratic Presidential front-runner for 2004; national children's rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman; former D.C. Mayor Walter E. Washington; civil rights attorney James M. Nabrit III; health care advocates Drs. Richard and Kathleen Morton, and outstanding law students at Howard University Law School and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp welcomed the audience, which packed the Terrace Theater and included a diverse mix of elected officials, judges, local celebrities, and ordinary citizens.

Grants in honor of the Awardees went to the March of Dimes, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Wade Edwards Foundation, Children’s Defense Fund and the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

As in years past, Paul Berry, former senior anchor at ABC News Channel 7, co-hosted the show. Berry was joined by Channel 9 news anchor Andrea Roane. The Lovell Olender Chorus, a troupe of outstanding young professional performers from across the region, provided the evening's dance and song, which had a distinctly patriotic theme.

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) receives the Peacemaker 2002 Award

 
James M. Nabrit, III (far right) recipient of the  Advocate for Justice 2002 Award on stage with Jack Olender and Elaine R. Jones, Counsel-General of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund receives the Olender Foundation’s first-ever Children’s Advocate Award.

Hon. Walter E. Washington, the first mayor of the District of Columbia is presented with the America’s Role Model 2002 Award by Charles Duncan.

Grants awarded to:

  March of Dimes  •  Wade Edwards Foundation •  NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund Howard Children’s Defense Fund  • University of the District of Columbia  •  David A. Clarke School of Law Foundation  • Howard University Law School • Outstanding Students at Howard University Law School and the  University of the District of Columbia David A . Clarke School of Law