The William R. Laws Human Rights Award began in the early 1980s as the Human Rights Award. In 1986, William R. Laws received several nominations for his human rights achievements. After 1986, the Human Rights Award became known as the William R. Laws Human Rights Award.

The most recent award was presented to Fr. Clem Davis. Other Laws Award recipients include Sherry Stark, Larry Perkinson, Dr. Marwan Wafa, Ala’a Wafa, Arlette Cooper Tinsley, Lorraine Smith, Gil Palmer, Tom Harmon, Owen Hungerford, Bob Pitman, Tracy Souza, the Heritage Fund’s Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, Tim Solso and Joe Loughrey, Laura Leonard, Sondra Bolte, Benjamin “Mickey” King, and J. Irwin Miller.

1985 — J. Irwin Miller (first winner)

1986 — Madelynn Smith

1987 — Rev. Chas Sims & Rev. Duff Green

1988 — Larry Whaley

1989 — Rev. John Bean

1990 — Ted Marston

1991 — C. William Barton

1992 — Richard B. Stoner

1993 — No award given this year

1994 — Gwen Wiggins, Mayor Stewart, Police Chief Charlie Imel, & Joseph High

1995 — Barbara Stewart

1996 — Larry Snyder & Barbara Wrighthouse

1997 — Audrey Jefferson

1998 — Lee Hamilton

1999 — Jim Henderson

2000 — Benjamin “Mickey” King

2001 — Juana O. Watson

2002 — Carolyn Lickerman

2003 — No award given this year

2004 — Mayor Fred Armstrong

2005 — Sarah (Kramer) Grey

2006 — Eugene Maresca

2007 — Laura (Hurt) Leonard

2008 — Sondra Bolte

2009 — Tim Solso & Joe Loughrey

2010 — Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

2011 — Tracy Souza

2012 — Bob Pitman

2013 — Owen Hungerford

2014 — Tom Harmon

2015 — Gil Palmer, Lorraine Smith, & Arlette Cooper Tinsley

2016 — Dr. Marwan Wafa and Ala’a Wafa

2017 — Larry Perkinson

2018 — Sherry Stark

2019 — Fr. Clem Davis

2020 — No award given this year (due to Covid-19 pandemic)

2021 — No award given this year (due to Covid-19 pandemic)

2022 — No award given this year (due to Covid-19 pandemic)

2023 — No award given this year