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Awards & Recognitions

The AOF Board brings together independent thinkers committed to reason, integrity, and building a more just and compassionate society.

Over the years we are proud to be honored be in the news and be awarded for work. This time provides a glimpse our history and significant milestones since our founding in 1993. Highlights include receiving the 2006 Community Cooperation Award from Atheist Alliance International and a Certificate of Appreciation awarded to AOF President Mynga Futrell in 2007.

 

Awards and Recognitions

2007

Mynga Futrell Awarded

Atheist Alliance International awards Mynga Futrell, AOF President, with a Certificate of Appreciation for achievement as an Education Coordinator (Sept 29, 2007).

2006

AAI Award

 Atheist Alliance International (AAI) named AOF as the inaugural recipient of its 2006 Community Cooperation Award for outstanding outreach in the local community during the 2005 calendar year.

2005

Etched Brick Recognition
  • KVIE installed etched brick recognizing AOF support of local public television. The commemorative bricks are located in the patio walkway outside the Ose Community Room, KVIE studio, 2030 W. El Camino Avenue. Image courtesy of Kevin L. Schultz.
  • American Atheists selected Atheists and Other Freethinkers as recipient of the 2005 California Awards Program, in recognition of the 2002 Freethought Day celebration.

2004

Global Expansion
  • Caltrans selected Atheists and Other Freethinkers as the "2003 District Three and North Region Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer of the Year," in recognition of over eight years of service. Caltrans District Three includes Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento. Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.

In the News

2012-2022

  • 2022-06-24, Sacramento Bee: This Gay Reverend Sued a Televangelist. Retrospective on AOF charter member & past president Jerry Sloan, who successfully sued Jerry Falwall in 1986. AOF now mentioned directly.
  • 2016-09, Freethought Today: Obituary for Cleo Kocol. The Freedom From Religion Foundation remembers Cleo Kocol, AOF charter member, author, poet, and outstanding feminist.
  • 2014-02-12, Sacramento Bee: Obituary for Betty Simonsma. The Bee memoralizes Betty Simonsma (April 30, 1925 - February 7, 2014), a founder and past president of Atheists and Other Freethinkers
  • 2013-05. Freethought Today: Obituary for Hank Kocol. The Freedom From Religion Foundation celebrates the life of Hank Kocol (July 16, 1937 - April 20, 2013), past president and charter member of Atheists and Other Freethinkers.
  • 2013-12-01, Sacramento Bee: "Sacramento-area atheists launch 'Out of the Closet billboard campaign" [link]. AOF not mentioned directly, but we're there, in the background, cheering.
  • 2012-04-13, ABC news. "Future not lookin so 'Bright. An article about the Brights Movement founded by AOF directors Paul Geisert and Mynga Futrell. AOF not mentioned directly.

2007-2010

  • 2010-09-05, Sacramento News & Review: "The Bright Side",  a citation for AOF.
  • 2009-10-10, Sacramento News & Review: "Mayor Johnson Not Comfortable Celebrating Freethought" particularly in reference to the joint 2009 Freethought Day celebration by AOF, HAGSA and other groups of the Sacramento Community of Reason. 
  • 2008-11-18, The Wall Street Journal: "Atheists Reach Out - Just Don't Call It Proselytizing."
  • 2008-03-06, ProCon.org: Quoted on the issue, "Should the Words 'under God' Be in the US Pledge
    of Allegiance?
  • 2008-01-31, Sacramento News & Review: "The Joey of Life" Sacramento columnist Joey
    Garcia lifts our spirits and teaches us a few things
  • 2007-07-26, Sacramento News & Review: "Virgin Territory" Columnist Keleigh Friedrich
    interviews AOF founder Paul Geisert about (whisper) virginity.
  • 2007-06-28, Sacramento News & Review: "God and War."

2000-2005

  • 2-005-11-04, Sacramento Bee: "California Talks Trash: State battles a rising tide of roadside litter"
  • 2005-09-15, KCRA Channel 3: "Judge: 'Pledge' Unconstitutional In Public Schools"
  • 2004-10-09, Sacramento Bee: "Therese' held over"
  • 2004-07-15, Sacramento Bee: "Atheists & Freethinkers help rid Highway 99 of trashy ways"
  • 2004-03-25, Sacramento News & Review: "Protect Our Secular Heritage."
  • 2004-01-29, Sacramento News & Review: "Survival Of the Fittest"
  • 2003-07-23, Sacramento Bee: "In a new Light: Angered by labels for the nonreligious, Paul Geisert
    and Mynga Futrell now...."
  • 2003-02-13, Sacramento News & Review: "The true unbeliever: If you think everyone in the black
    community is Christian….." 
  • 2002-01-10, Sacramento News & Review: "Lessons In Acceptance."
  • 2001-05-03, Sacramento News & Review: "True Nonbelievers: Sacramento atheists have their own
    orthodoxy as they proselytize….."
  • 2000-04-20, Sacramento Bee: "Atheists Find Meaning - And Deals - At Easter"

1994/96

  • 1996-12-06, Sacramento Bee: "Gold Star For Deportment"
  • 1996-10-20, Sacramento Bee: "Kids Get Taste of Waldorf Education: School Stresses Storytelling,
    Picture Drawing"
  • 1996-08-12, Sacramento Bee: "Does God Exist? Debaters Sharpen Swords"
  • 1996-07-13, Sacramento Bee: "Finding Faith On the Net, Worshippers Connect In Some New Ways"
  • 1996-04-11, Sacramento News & Review: "Sacrilege of the Week: Ten Commandments for
    Politicians, by Pat Kelley"
  • 1996-03-28, Sacramento News & Review: "The Soul of Sacramento: SN&R Readers Talk About
    Their Religious Beliefs"
  • 1995-10-23, Sacramento Bee: "Even Non-Believers Paused To Reflect"
  • 1995-07-01, Sacramento Bee: "True Disbelievers: For the Leader of Sacramento's Atheists and
    Other Freethinkers, It's Time....
  • 1994-12-02, Sacramento Bee: "Atheist-Author Says HO, HO, NO To Yuletide"