Ellis Island Honors Society

The Ellis Island Honors Society awards the Ellis Island Medals of Honor annually on Ellis Island. Nominations are now open. A criteria and digital nomination form is available on our website. The next ceremony will take place May 13, 2023 The Ellis Island Medals of Honor embody the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity. We recognize individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America. As always, we remain dedicated to the maintenance and restoration of America’s greatest symbol of its immigrant history, Ellis Island. Since the Medal was founded in 1986, we have honored such distinguished and diverse Americans including: six Presidents of the United States; Vice-President Joe Biden, Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the Hon. Hillary Clinton, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Mia Farrow, Rosa Parks, Nobel Prize laureates Elie Wiesel and Bert Sakmann, as well as Lee Iacocca, just to name a few. A complete list of former Medalists can be found on our website www.EIHonors.org.