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President John F. Kennedy respected and admired acts of political courage. His book, Profiles in Courage, published in 1956, recounted the stories of eight U.S. Senators who risked their careers by taking principled stands for unpopular positions. The Profile in Courage Award, presented each May by the Kennedy Library Foundation, honors elected officials who have demonstrated exceptional political courage.

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students to consider the concept of political courage by writing an essay on a U.S. official who has chosen to do what is right, rather than what is expedient. A “Profile in Courage” essay is a carefully researched recounting of a story: the story of how an elected official risked his or her career to take a stand based on moral principles.

An opportunity for meaningful civics education, the Profile in Courage Essay Contest meets several National Standards in Social Studies and English. Students will develop and enhance research, writing and critical thinking skills while they deepen their understanding and appreciation of politics and history.

Essay Topic

Students are asked to write an original and creative essay of less than 1,000 words that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage . Students should use a variety of sources such as newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews to address the following topic:

Describe and analyze the decisions, actions, and risks of an elected public official in the United States since 1956 who has courageously addressed a political issue at the local, state, national, or international level.

All submissions must adhere to contest requirements

Contest Policies

All entries must be postmarked or received by Saturday, January 9, 2010 with the required registration form available on this web site. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, illegible, or incomplete submissions.

Decisions of the Profile in Courage Award Committee are final. Winners will be notified by mail and via telephone by March 31. All participants will receive a letter notifying them of the winners along with a Certificate of Participation by the end of May.

By entering, you agree that your essay will become the property of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and will not be returned. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation reserves the right to print and display the essays and photographs of the contest winners.

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