Each year, the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) acknowledges the achievements of leading researchers and practitioners in the dyslexia field, as well as those of individuals with dyslexia who exhibit leadership and serve as role models in their communities. Read below for descriptions of each award and lists of award recipients. These award recipients have done so much to advance the mission of helping all those who struggle to read.
Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award
Norman Geschwind Memorial Lecture
Early Career Award for Contributions to Research
Excellence in Leadership Award
Remy Johnston Certificate of Merit
Samuel Torrey Orton Award
The Samuel Torrey Orton Award is the International Dyslexia Association’s highest honor. The Award recognizes a person or persons who have:
- Made a vital contribution to our scientific understanding of dyslexia, or
- Significantly enhanced and advanced our capacity to successfully intervene and assist people with dyslexia, or
- Expanded national and international awareness of dyslexia, or
- Demonstrated unusual competence and dedication in service to people with dyslexia
Recipients:
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2023 Nancy Mather 2022 Fumiko Hoeft 2021 John Gabrielli 2020… R. Malatesha Joshi 2019… Mark S. Seidenberg 2018… Richard Wagner 2017… Maureen Lovett 2016… Albert Galaburda 2015… Virginia W. Berninger 2014… Kate Cain 2013… Louisa Moats 2012… Sally & Bennett Shaywitz 2011… Maryanne Wolf 2010… Marilyn Jager Adams 2009… Susan Brady & Hollis Scarborough 2008… Hugh W. Catts 2007… Uta Frith 2006… Joseph Torgesen 2005… Margaret Snowling 2004… Martha Bridge Denckla 2003… Jack M. Fletcher 2002… Bruce F. Pennington 2001… Gordon F. Sherman & Disability Rights Advocates 2000… G. Reid Lyon 1999… Howard G. Gardner 1998… Priscilla L. Vail 1997… C. Wilson Anderson, Jr. 1996… Jeanne S. Chall 1995… Jeanette Jansky 1994… Rosa Hagin 1993… Lucia R. Karnes 1992… Sylvia O. Richardson 1991… Dorothy B. Whitehead & Carolyn and Carl Kline 1990… Diana H. King |
1999… Howard G. Gardner 1998… Priscilla L. Vail 1997… C. Wilson Anderson, Jr. 1996… Jeanne S. Chall 1995… Jeanette Jansky 1994… Rosa Hagin 1993… Lucia R. Karnes 1992… Sylvia O. Richardson 1991… Dorothy B. Whitehead & Carolyn and Carl Kline 1990… Diana H. King 1989… Regina Cicci 1988… William Ellis & Isabelle Liberman 1987… Lucius Waites & Alice Gardside 1986… Che Kan Leong & John Bigelow 1985… Alice Koontz & Norman Geschwind-(posthumously) 1984… Robert G. Hall 1983… Eleanor T. Hall 1982… Drake D. Duane 1981… Arthur Benton 1980… Helene Durbrow & Leon Eisenberg 1979… J. Roswell Gallagher 1978… Paula D. Rome 1977… Aylett R. Cox 1976… Roger E. Saunders 1975… Richard Masland 1974… Macdonald Critchley 1973… Sally Child 1972… Beth Slingerland 1971… Margaret Byrd Rawson 1970… Lloyd J. Thompson 1969… June Lyday Orton 1968… Katrina deHirsh 1967… Edwin Cole 1966… Lauretta Bende |
Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award
The Margaret Byrd Rawson Award recognizes the work of an individual to advance the mission of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). The Award shall be given to a member of IDA whose work on behalf of IDA embodies Margaret Rawson’s:
- Compassion,
- Leadership,
- Commitment to excellence,
- Fervent advocacy for people with dyslexia,
- And whose work is nationally recognized as furthering the mission of IDA
Recipients:
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2023…Martha Hougen 2022…Barbara Wilson 2021…Pamela Hook 2020… Linda Siegel 2019… Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan 2018… Suzanne Carreker 2017… Eric Tridas 2016… Lenox Reed 2015… Karen E. Dakin 2014… Charles W. Haynes 2013… Diana Hanbury King 2012… G. Emerson & Georgette Dickman 2011… Nancy Hennessy
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2010… Joyce Pickering 2009… Arlene W. Sonday 2008… Judith R. Birsh 2007… Nancy Cushen White 2006… C. K. Leong 2005… Betty S. Levinson 2004… Roger E. Saunders 2003… Martha W. Renner 2002… Jean S. Osman 2001… Betty Sheffield 2000… Marcia K. Henry 1999… Sylvia O. Richardson |
The Norman Geschwind Memorial Lecture
When Norman Geschwind died of cardiac arrest on November 4, 1984, the Orton Society, (now the International Dyslexia Association; IDA), lost a member of its Board of Directors, a speaker of great note, the scientific mind behind the society’s Neuroanatomy Study, and a dear friend. Dr. Geschwind was Chief of Neurology at Beth Israel Hospital and was James Jackson Putnam Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. He also held professorships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Psychology and the School of Health Sciences and Technology. His interest in the work of the Orton Society stemmed from his research on the relationship between brain anatomy and behavior. To honor Dr. Geschwind’s memory, in 1985 the Orton Society established a Norman Geschwind Memorial Lecture Fund that is used to provide a speaker at the IDA Annual Conference. The speaker is to represent the broad nature of Dr. Geschwind’s interests in dyslexia and related disabilities and abilities. The legacy of his curiosity lives on. (Perspectives on Dyslexia, Winter 1985)
Lecturers:
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2023…Marcia Barnes 2022…Jack Fletcher 2021…Juile Washington 2020… Nadine Gaab 2019… Sharon Vaughn 2018… Simon Fisher 2017… Stanislas Dehaene 2016… Guinevere Eden 2015… John Gabrieli 2014… Fumiko Hoeft 2013… Laurie E. Cutting 2012… Donald Shankweiler 2011… Kenneth R. Pugh 2010… Kurt Fischer 2009… Charles Perfetti 2008… Daniel H. Geschwind 2007… Ursula Bellugi 2006… Doris Johnson 2005… Richard K. Olson
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2004… Albert M. Galaburda 2003… Patricia K. Kuhl 2002… Ingvar Lundberg 2001… Drake D. Duane 2000… Frank B. Wood 1999… G. Reid Lyon 1998… Maryanne Wolf 1997… George W. Hynd 1996… Bruce F. Pennington 1995… Gordon F. Sherman 1994… Peter T. Fox 1993… Marcus E. Raichle 1992… Margaret S. Livingston 1991… George A. Ojemann 1990… Eran Zaidel 1989… Albert M. Galaburda 1988… Jerome Y. Lettvin 1987… Antonio R. Damasio 1986… Martha Bridge Denckla 1985… Peter Behan |
Early Career Award for Contributions to Research
This award is given to an early-career researcher and conference speaker whose innovative research has had a positive impact on the lives of individuals with dyslexia.
Recipients:
2020… Mercedes Spencer
2019… Ola Ozernov-Palchik
2018… Peng Peng
2017… Sunjung Kim
Excellence in Leadership Award
IDA created this Award in 2013 to honor an individual who, through their profession, tirelessly aims to improve the lives of those with dyslexia. This Award is given in recognition of excellence in service to individuals with dyslexia, their families, and the greater community. The Award is presented at IDA’s Annual Reading, Literacy and Learning Conference each fall.
Recipients:
2020… Lee Siang
2019… Carrie Thomas Beck
2018… Sir Richard Branson
2017… Martin McKay
2016… Rick Fiery & Tom Bergeron (co-recipients)
2015… Tincy Miller
2014… Gavin Newsom
2013… Alice Thomas
Remy Johnston Certificate of Merit
This recognition program was established to honor the memory of Remy Johnston, a student with dyslexia whose promising life was tragically cut short in February 1989, a few months prior to graduating from Wooster College. Remy Johnston was a special person to his family and friends and to the staff and members of The Orton Dyslexia Society (now IDA). His mother, Joyce Johnston was the first person hired here and she retired in 2000 after 29 years of dedicated service. Read Remy Johnston’s paper about dyslexia and how it affected his life. The Remy Johnston Certificate of Merit recognizes students with dyslexia who:
- Are worthy role models
- Refuse to use their learning difference as an excuse
- Strive for excellence
- Enrich their community
Recipients:
2019… Mika Bardin
2018… Ainsley Proctor
2017… Olivia Amante
2016… Aidan Colvin
2015… Will Marsh
2014… Tyler Lentz
2013… Thomas Hircock
2012… Selene Jones
2011… Alex Malchow
2010… Jessica Dupiche
2009… Jennifer Smith & Jessica Byington
2008… Michael Guggenheim
2007… Anthony Levenson
2006… Dean Abbey
2001… Julia Bowsher, Michelle Carroll, Jeffrey R. Drake, Jeffrey Gurwin, Caroline (Carly) Russell
Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award was created to recognize an individual who has faced reading challenges, has made significant achievements in his or her field, is leading a successful life, and is a role model for others with learning differences. The Award is given annually; more than one person may receive this recognition in any given year; and the honoree does not have to be a member of the Association. The award is presented at IDA’s Annual Reading, Literacy and Learning Conference each fall.
Recipients:
2019… John Hoke
2018… Jared Blank
2017… Malcolm Mitchell
2016… Patrick Whaley
2015… Scoot McNairy
2014… Cameron Herold
2013… Blake Charlton
2012… Phillip Shultz
2011… Steve Walker
2010… Danny Aiello, III
2009… Colin Poole
2008… Stephen J. Cannell
2007… Hunt Lowry
2006… The Honorable Kendrick B. Meek
2005… David Boies
2004… Barbara Corcoran
2003… Bruce Jenner
The IDA Branch Excellence Award
The IDA Branch Excellence Awards were established to recognize branches that have made exceptional contributions and outstanding achievements in promoting IDA’s mission and vision in their local area.
Award recipients are selected by a committee that includes Home Office staff, the branch council chair, regional representatives, and other IDA volunteers.
These awards are given during the annual IDA conference.
Recipients:
2019… Arizona, Georgia, New Jersey, Oregon