Golden Gavel Recipients

Honoring Prominent
Speakers and Leaders

Toastmasters' most prestigious award, the Golden Gavel, is presented
once a year to an individual who represents excellence in the fields of
communication and leadership. Since 1959, this award has been presented
every August at the organization's International Convention, and it is a
highlight  for many Convention attendees to hear a speech given by the year's
Golden Gavel recipient.

In 2009, the award honored Bruce Tulgan, one of the world’s top experts on the subject of young people in the workplace. As the founder and chairman of RainmakerThinking, Tulgan has helped thousands of companies develop their employees’ potential to peak performance. Tulgan is the author or co-author of 17 books and also shares his expertise in Webinars and presentations to international business leaders and managers of big-name organizations, ranging from Aetna to Wal-Mart to the YMCA.

Below is a list of past recipients
of the Golden Gavel award:


 Year    Recipient     Industry  
 2009    Bruce Tulgan    Author, founder and chairman of RainmakerThinking  
 2008    Pamela Wallin    Canadian journalist and media personality  
 2007    Barbara De Angelis    Radio Personality, author  
 2006    Jim Kouzes    Leadership Expert, author, speaker  
 2005    Marcus Buckingham    Leadership expert, author, speaker  
 2004    Dr. Stephen Covey    Author; Co-Founder, Franklin Covey Company  
 2003    Debbie Fields Rose    Author; Founder, Mrs. Fields Cookies  
 2002    Dr. Richard Lederer     Author, Communication and Leadership Expert  
 2001    Jim Cathcart    Author, speaker, human-development expert  
 2000    Nido Qubein    Speaker, consultant, entrepreneur  
 1999    Zig Ziglar    Speaker, author  
 1998    Jeanne Robertson    Speaker, humorist  
 1997    Dr. Deepak Chopra    Author, speaker  
 1996    Dr. LeRoy Walker    President, U.S. Olympic Committee  
 1995    Tony Robbins    Author, seminar leader  
 1994    Les Brown    Motivational speaker  
 1993    Peter Legge    Speaker, publisher  
 1992    Dr. Kenneth H. Blanchard    Author, management expert  
 1991    Bill Gove    Professional speaker, seminar leader  
 1990    Tom Peters    Author, management expert   
 1989    Joel H. Weldon    Professional speaker, seminar leader  
 1988    Grace M. Hopper    Rear Admiral, USNR (Retired), Computer pioneer  
 1987    Dr. Wayne Dyer    Psychologist, author, speaker  
 1986    Art Linkletter    Author, speaker, TV personality  
 1985    Marva Collins    Educator  
 1984    Dr. Charles W. Jarvis    Humorist, lecturer  
 1983    Mark Russell    Humorist, writer, lecturer  
 1982    Dr. Joyce Brothers    Psychologist, author, speaker  
 1981    James L. Hayes    Management expert, speaker  
 1980    Dr. Kenneth McFarland    Philanthropist, lecturer, author  
 1979    Bob Richards    Motivational speaker, Olympic champion  
 1978    Dr. Robert H. Schuller    Theologian, author, lecturer  
 1977    Gordon Sinclair    Newsman, broadcaster, author  
 1976    Earl Nightingale    Internationally known broadcaster, author  
 1975    John W. Warner    Administrator, American Revolution Bicentennial Administration  
 1974    Bobby Richardson    Speaker, athletic coach  
 1973    Dr. S.I. Hayakawa    Author, lecturer  
 1972    Cavett Robert    Author, lecturer  
 1971    Wallace Jamie    Director of International Public Relations, Carnation Company  
 1969    Walter Cronkite    Distinguished newsman and journalist  
 1968    Greer Garson    Internationally known stage, screen and television personality  
 1967    John W. Fisher    Commissioner and Chairman of the Board, Canadian Centennial Commission  
 1966    Eugene J. McNeeley    Former President, AT&T  
 1965     Robert Moses     City Planner and President, New York World's Fair of 1964-65  
 1964    Lowell Thomas    Writer, commentator, lecturer  
 1963    Dr. Ralph C. Smedley    Founder, Toastmasters International  
 1962    Reed Harris    Executive Assistant to the Director, U.S. Information Agency  
 1961    Eric Johnston    President, Motion Picture Association of America  
 1960    Joseph N. Welch    Eminent Boston Attorney  
 1959    Dr. Frank C. Baxter    Professor Emeritus, USC; television personality  

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