2013 Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest for Grades 4-8
Brought to you by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services in cooperation with the
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Ford Freedom Award is given posthumously to individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving
the African-American community and the world at large through their chosen fields. Each year, both a Ford
Freedom Award Honoree and a Ford Freedom Award Scholar are selected. The Scholar is chosen for
furthering the Honoree’s achievements for a new generation.
The theme of the 2013 Ford Freedom Award Program is "Quiet Heroes" ─ African Americans who, with much
humility (and without fanfare), have worked all their lives for the cause of African-American advancement.
The 2013 Ford Freedom Award Program honors civil rights activist Ms. Johnnie Carr, who joined childhood
friend Rosa Parks in the historic Montgomery bus boycott and was an activist until her death at 97. According to her
2008 obituary by the Associated Press, “Carr succeeded the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as president of the
Montgomery Improvement Association in 1967, a post she held at her death. It was the newly formed association
that led the boycott of city buses in the Alabama capital after Parks, a black seamstress, was arrested in December
1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a crowded bus..” …”She played a prominent role in 2005 on
the 50th anniversary of Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat, speaking to thousands of schoolchildren who marched
to the Capitol. "Look back, but march forward," Carr urged the huge crowd of young people.”
The 2013 Ford Freedom Award Program Scholar is Congressman John Lewis, D-GA. Representative Lewis
has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The
Beloved Community” in America.
2013 Essay Contest for Michigan Students in Grades 4-8.
Michigan students in Grades 4-8 are invited to submit essays on the following topic:
This year’s Ford Freedom Award celebrates Quiet Heroes, individuals who, without great recognition or reward,
have dedicated their lives to improving our world. If you could present ONE Quiet Hero award to an African
American (past or present) who is NOT your family member, who would it be and why?
Contest Rules
It is preferred that essays be typed. Essays must be typed in Times New Roman or Arial font, 12-point type, doublespaced with 1” margins and limited to two pages. Handwritten essays must be legibly printed, double-spaced and
limited to three pages. An official entry form must be stapled to the FRONT of each essay. NO names should
appear on the essay, only on the entry form.
All essays must be RECEIVED by Detroit Newspapers in Education no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., Apr.12, 2013.
Mail or hand deliver to: DNIE 2013 FFA Essay Contest, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
Prizes
1st Prize--$5,000 Scholarship, Ford Freedom Award medal and certificate of merit for ONE winner
2nd Prize--$2,500 Scholarship, Ford Freedom Award medal and certificate of merit for ONE winner
3rd Prize--$1,000 Scholarship, Ford Freedom Award medal and certificate of merit for ONE winner
Honorable Mentions--$250 Scholarship, Ford Freedom Award medals and certificates of merit for TWO winners
NOTE: Scholarships are awarded for the pursuit of higher education.
Winners’ teachers will be notified by phone in early May. Questions? Call Sharon Martin, 313-223-4460
2013 Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest Entry Form
Student’s first and last name ________________________________________________________________
Title of essay______________________________________________________________________________
Grade (circle one): 4
5
6
7
8
School name______________________________________________________________________________
School address____________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________________State_________Zip_____________
Teacher’s first and last name (including Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss) ___________________________________
School phone number (including area code) (______) ___________________________________________
Teacher’s e-mail address___________________________________________________________________
I verify that this essay is the original work of the above named student.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of teacher/parent or guardian is required or entry cannot be judged.
Entry form may be copied
All entries must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2013
Staple a completed entry form to the FRONT page of each essay and mail or hand deliver to:
DNIE Ford Freedom Award Essay Contest
615 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
Judging guidelines
Essays will be judged based on content, clarity of student’s writing and overall creativity. Does the work reflect
time, thought and care that are appropriate for the student’s grade level? Is sentence structure and language
appropriate for grade level? Essays that do not follow the contest rules will be disqualified.
Essay competition winners will be selected by the staff of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African
American History and Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.