Legacy Project Honorees

Justice William O. Douglas was a tireless advocate for civil liberties, championing the Bill of Rights, due process, and equal protection under the law. His impact extended beyond the courtroom, shaping environmental conservation, cultural understanding both at home and abroad, and the preservation of Native American and Yakima Valley history.

The William O. Douglas Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to one or more of these causes, carrying forward his legacy and the values he so passionately upheld.

Meet our award committee.

2025 William O. Douglas Legacy Award

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

Neil M. Gorsuch, Associate Justice, was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 29, 1967. He and his wife Louise have two daughters. He received a B.A. from Columbia University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a D.Phil. from Oxford University. He served as a law clerk to Judge David B. Sentelle of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and as a law clerk to Justice Byron White and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States. From 1995-2005, he was in private practice, and from 2005-2006 he was Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. He was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in 2006. He served on the Standing Committee on Rules for Practice and Procedure of the U.S. Judicial Conference, and as chairman of the Advisory Committee on Rules of Appellate Procedure. He taught at the University of Colorado Law School. President Donald J. Trump nominated him as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and he took his seat on April 10, 2017.

Yakima Justice William O. Douglas was a steadfast advocate for civil liberties, environmental conservation, and judicial independence. Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1939, Douglas made a great impact on the landscape of the U.S. judicial system, and his legacy continues to shape legal thought and public policy today. Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch was honored with this year's William O. Douglas Legacy Award for his strong commitment to Native American treaty rights, both during his time on the Tenth Circuit and on the Supreme Court.

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

Cathleen D. Stone

Cathleen D. Stone earned her B.A. and J.D. from American University and an L.L.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. She was of counsel and a past partner of the Boston law firm Foley, Hoag & Eliot where her practice encompassed environmental and administrative law issues. Ms. Stone is widely recognized as a philanthropic leader and trailblazer. Among other accomplishments, she founded the Stone Living Lab at UMass Boston, the Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship at UC Berkeley, and the MAAH Stone Book Award. In the 1990s, she served as the City of Boston’s first ever chief of environmental services and worked with Senator Kennedy, Congressman Moakley, and others to establish the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. She currently serves as President of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation; as an appointed member of the partnership board for the Boston Harbor Islands National Park; on the board of directors for Boston Harbor Now and the Wilderness Society, and as a member of the Honorary Committee of the Museum of African American History (MAAH) Stone Book Award. For over twenty-five years, she served as a commissioner for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. She also served as chair of the board of directors for the Museum of African American History and as a member of the boards of The Nature Conservancy, National Public Radio, the Supreme Court Historical Society, WBUR Boston, and MATCH Public Charter High School. In 2006, Ms. Stone received the Eleanor Roosevelt “Following In Her Footsteps Award,” and in 2017, she received the Norman B. Leventhal Excellence in City Building Award. She received an honorary degree from University College London in 2024.

2022 William O. Douglas Legacy Award

Sally Jewell

U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2013 to 2017

Ms. Jewell’s lifetime commitment to championing the importance of science to better understand the earth’s systems, encouraging the sustainable use of water in the West, and long-term conservation of the nation’s irreplaceable natural, cultural, and historic treasures more than qualifies her for this award.

In accepting the award, Ms. Jewell said, “I am delighted to accept the award in honor of Justice Douglas and pleased that the Yakima Valley Museum’s stewardship of his papers will ensure the lessons of his service will endure. I can think of no better place to preserve these historical documents for future generations than in the shadow of the wilderness that bears his name, and with respect for the continuing stewards of these lands, the Yakama Nation.”

As U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2013 to 2017, Jewell was recognized for her science-driven, collaborative approach to natural resource management. She prioritized landscape-level conservation efforts and worked to connect people—especially young people—to nature, inspiring tens of millions to play, learn, serve, and work on public lands.

A steadfast advocate for Indigenous communities, Jewell championed trust and treaty rights while supporting initiatives to create brighter opportunities for Native youth. Her leadership extended beyond public service; as a business leader in banking and later as CEO of outdoor retailer REI, she built diverse coalitions to address complex environmental challenges and promote a sustainable future.

Jewell remains active in corporate and nonprofit governance, including serving as a Regent of the University of Washington. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow in the College of the Environment.