The Sydney and Hillman Prizes
Many people around the world are doing incredible things to make life better for themselves and for other people. Their efforts should be rewarded, and that is exactly what the sidney prize was created to do. It is an award that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to society, and it has become a worldwide symbol of prestige.
There are a number of different sidney prizes, and each has its own rules and requirements that must be met in order to win. Some of these awards are based on academic achievement, while others focus on social activism or other forms of public service. It is important to understand the eligibility requirements of each prize before applying, as this can have a significant impact on your success.
The SS Sydney award is one of the most well-known and highly prestigious sidney prizes. It is awarded to writers whose essays reflect contemporary American scholarship and commentary. The essay must be long-form and address an issue of importance to the general public. Previous winners have included Ta-Nehisi Coates for his essay on America’s history of black plunder and white democracy and Amanda Hess for her piece on online sexism. New York Times columnist David Brooks has also instituted his own monthly SS Sydney journalism award to recognize investigative reporting that contributes to the public good.
Founded in memory of professor Sidney Cox, this sidney prize is granted to undergraduate writing that adheres to the standards of originality and integrity that he set both for his classes and in his writing. Students of all majors may submit their work for consideration, and the winner is chosen based on merit. This year’s winner was Sophia Jactel, a student of art history who wrote an essay on “Domesticity and Diversions: Josef Israels’ The Smoker as a Symbol of Peasant Culture and Home in Nineteenth-Century Holland.”
Hillman Prize
In 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation established the Hillman Prize to illuminate the great issues of the day–from the search for a basis of lasting peace to the need for housing, medical care and employment security for all, to the promotion of civil liberties and democracy and the battle against discrimination based on race, nationality or religion. Winners are chosen based on merit, and they can be nominated for works published anywhere in the world – including American magazines, newspapers and websites.
In addition to the Hillman Prize, the Neilma Sidney Literary Award is also given each month to writers attempting to further society-related understanding through their work. Judges are drawn from all areas of publishing in America and the winner is announced each month on Overland’s website. Shortlisted works are also featured on the site. The award is an excellent opportunity for young writers to gain recognition and to increase their visibility. This is why it is important to apply early, as the competition can be fierce.