The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications is proud to announce that Eva Castillo of Manchester is the recipient of this year’s First Amendment Award.
This annual award honors New Hampshire individuals or organizations for their outstanding commitment to defending, protecting, or exercising the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Eva Castillo, who came to the U.S. from Venezuela in 1975, founded the New Hampshire Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees and then served as its director for nearly 20 years.
The judges noted her commitment to exercising First Amendment freedoms on behalf of New Hampshire communities whose voices are often underrepresented, as well as her public advocacy for the rights of immigrants.
Castillo created Welcoming New Hampshire, the state’s chapter of Welcoming America, to promote understanding, inclusion, and positive integration between immigrants and the communities they call home. She led civic engagement and voter education initiatives, helping community members better understand their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities to participate in the democratic process.
She will receive the award on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. The event is the Loeb School’s signature annual fundraiser, supporting its expert-led, accessible classes on the First Amendment, journalism, and communication.
Howard Brodsky, chair and co-founder of CCA Global Partners, is receiving the School’s Quill & Ink Award for his longstanding commitment to advancing First Amendment education in New Hampshire. The evening will feature keynote speaker Pete Buttigieg, who served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025.
Program Details
- 5:00 p.m. – VIP Reception (sold out)
- 5:30 p.m. – General Networking (cash bar, appetizers)
- 6:30 p.m. – Awards Program
Awards Program tickets are $25. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Special thanks to The Brodsky Prize, Keynote Speaker Sponsor; Eversource, First Amendment Award Honoree Sponsor; and The Bookery, Quill & Ink Award Sponsor.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
Media planning to attend the event must RSVP here.
The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications’ mission is to promote and defend the First Amendment and foster interest, integrity, and excellence in journalism and other forms of communication by educating students of various ages and providing them with the tools and knowledge to improve their skills. Contact the Loeb School at 603-627-0005 or loebschool@loebschool.org.