The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor Nashua, N.H., resident Laurie Ortolano with its 2025 Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award.
The award is given to an individual from New England who has fought for information essential to the public’s understanding of what its government is doing or not doing on its behalf. Those honored with the award have shown perseverance in the face of difficulty while obtaining information the public has a right to know.
Ortolano has for years fought for information about her city and how those in government are making decisions. She has been involved in more than 15 lawsuits against Nashua. These lawsuits resulted in the release of previously undisclosed records, the awarding of attorneys’ fees and costs, and a requirement that city employees undergo training about New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law.
Most recently, Ortolano filed two appeals as a pro se litigant in an effort to get information about the controversial Nashua Performing Arts Center construction. She not only demanded the city disclose the project’s final costs, but she publicly advocated for more transparency by attending government meetings and appearing in local media.
NEFAC will honor Ortolano at a private ceremony later this month. The coalition will also present its Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award and Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award during the program.
Supporters of NEFAC and the 15th annual New England First Amendment Awards include Boston University, The Boston Globe, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Morgan Lewis, The Day, and The University of Rhode Island.
Previous recipients of the Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award:
2024
Daniel Dunn
2023
Susan Hawes
2022
Tara Gunnigle
2021
Jeanne Kempthorne
2020
Cook v. Raimondo Student Activists
2019
David Saad
2018
Hyde Square Task Force
2017
Donna Green
2016
Michael Champa
2015
Harriet Cady
2014
Kit Savage
2013
David Lang
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and contributors. In particular, we would like to recognize the Estate of Gloria L. Negri, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the following Leadership Circle donors: Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists and WCVB-Boston.