About Father Joseph H. Biltz
Father Joe was called “a prophet, the conscience of the community, loving, caring, and joyful.” Biltz was a passionate leader for peace and justice, and his actions often sparked controversy. He worked with an array of people on many issues, including the poor and the elderly, for the repeal of the death penalty and the reduction of nuclear arms. He was chair of the Urban League and a member of the Arkansas Peace Center. His commitment to social justice inspired all who knew him.
For 30 years, the Gathering of Friends event presented the Father Joseph H. Biltz Award to the following outstanding individuals and groups who work for social change in Arkansas.
Biltz Awardees Over the Years
1987 – Henry Tuck
1988 – Rev. Hezekiah Stewart
1989 – Dr. Raymond V. Biondo
1990 – Accept No Boundaries Founders, LR Central HS
1991 – Brownie Ledbetter
1992 – Ourtown Founders
1992 – Jane Mendel
1994 – Freddie Nixon
1995 – Mimi Dortch
1996 – Anytown Founders
1997 – Elizabeth Eckford & Hazel Bryan Massery
1998 – Irene Gatson Samuel
1999 – Elijah Coleman & Grainger Williams
2000 – Senator Jim Argue & Imam Johnny Aleem Hasan
2001 – Members of The Panel of American Women
2002 – LaVerne D. Feaster & Willie D. “Bill”
Hamilton
2003 –
Col. Dutch Dorsch (Ret.) & Rev. William H. Robinson, Jr.
2004 – Annie Abrams, Bishop Kenneth Hicks & Nina
Krupitsky
2005 – Dr. Betty Lowe, Bishop Larry Maze & John Walker
2006 – Rev. Stephen Copley, Sister Catherine Markey,
Albert J. Porter
2007 – Dr. K.S. “Sunny” Anand, Jean Gordon,
Sanford Tollette, IV
2009 – Rev. Wendell Griffen, Ted Holder, Rev. Ed Matthews
2010 – Gerald Cound, Beverly Divers-White, Ph.D., Pat Lile
2011 – Joyce Hardy, Freeman McKindra Sr., Grif Stockley
2012 – Anna Cox, Rev. Logan Hampton, Susan May
2013 – Dr. Estella Morris, Renie Rule, Dr. Billy Thomas
2014 – The Interfaith Group, Deborah Robinson Bell,
William A. Waddell, Jr.
2015 – Collins Kilgore, Kareem Moody, Kathy Ransom
2016 –
Garbo Hearne, Muriel Lederman, Scott Tanner