Raised in Yakima, Washington, he overcame humble beginnings to serve an unprecedented 36 years on the United States Supreme Court—the longest tenure in history. A steadfast advocate for civil liberties, environmental conservation, and judicial independence, his legacy continues to shape legal thought and public policy.

The William O. Douglas Legacy Project, a partnership between the Yakima Valley Museum and the James M. & Cathleen D. Stone Foundation, honors his enduring impact. The Yakima Valley Museum houses an extensive collection of his life’s work, including a meticulous recreation of his Supreme Court office.

In 2022, the Legacy Project Committee established the William O. Douglas Award, recognizing legal practitioners and scholars whose work advances the causes Justice Douglas championed. The first honoree was Sally Jewell, US Secretary of the Interior from 2013-2017. This August the committee will recognize another honoree whose decisions have had lasting impacts on our way of life in the Pacific Northwest and across the Country.