ACLU of Florida’s 70th Anniversary: Tampa Recap

On November 7, we marched into our 70th Anniversary Celebration in Tampa — honoring seven decades of courage, community, and resistance. The evening opened with the electrifying beats of the Howard W. Blake High School Marching Band and was hosted by longtime journalist Ernest Hooper, whose presence grounded the program in the heart of Tampa Bay.

It was especially meaningful to celebrate in a community that has always shown what courage looks like. From the newsroom to the neighborhoods, from classrooms to courtrooms, Tampa Bay has long carried a spirit of activism and determination that lights the way for the rest of the state. For generations, this region has reminded Florida that defending democracy requires persistence, unity, and unfaltering conviction.

We proudly recognized Tampa’s honorees — advocates, truth-tellers, and movement leaders whose work reminds us that democracy survives only when people are willing to stand up and speak out.

1. Justice & Liberty Partner Award – Andrew Warren : Andrew Warren has spent his career proving that justice is not just a principle — it is a practice. When the law was weaponized as a tool of intimidation, he reminded us that it can also be a tool for fairness. Through courage, integrity, and an unwavering belief in democracy, he has demonstrated what it means to serve not power, but the people. His resilience in the face of adversity reflects a commitment to truth and the rule of law that strengthens our communities. We honor Andrew Warren for his principled leadership and for reminding us that courage in action is the foundation of liberty itself.
2. Defender of Democracy Award – Nadine Smith : As one of the largest civil rights organizations in Florida, Equality Florida has been a driving force for full equality for LGBTQ+ Floridians — and we have been proud to partner with and represent them in some of our state’s most critical campaigns, from preserving marriage equality, to challenging censorship, to fighting discriminatory restrictions on healthcare. At the helm, Nadine Smith has stood on the front lines of equality, facing down discrimination with clarity and strength. She has built powerful coalitions, mobilized communities, and reminded us that defending democracy is not a moment, but a movement. We honor her unwavering conviction and her transformative impact on the future of civil rights in Florida.
3. Courage in Action Award – Arthenia Joyner : Arthenia Joyner is woven into the very fabric of Tampa’s story — a woman whose courage did not simply meet the moment but helped reshape it. More than a brilliant legal mind, she has long been a force of nature: a fearless advocate who stood up, spoke out, and broke barriers long before it was safe or popular to do so. From her early activism fighting segregation to her trailblazing career in law and public service, her life has shown what happens when conviction meets courage. Her work has expanded justice, elevated communities, and inspired generations across Tampa and throughout Florida. We honor Arthenia Joyner for her lifetime of impact, her enduring vision, and her unshakeable belief in what is right.

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