As Hillsdale College officials prepare to present this year’s Alumni Awards, they’ve announced a new award named for a woman who helped win two world wars and fight organized crime.
The Elizebeth Smith Friedman Award for Freedom was established to honor the 1915 Hillsdale College graduate, who was a pioneer in the area of codebreaking.
Along with helping the U.S. and its allies win World Wars One and Two, Friedman’s work also helped bring down international smuggling efforts. The cryptanalyst was inducted into the NSA Hall of Honor in 1999, and the U.S. Coast Guard named an National Security Cutter in her honor in 2020.
Friedman died in 1980.
College officials say the award in her name will be awarded to those who exhibit extraordinary qualities in “advocating, defending, and protecting freedom.”
The Alumni awards will be presented during a ceremony on May 20th.
Elizebeth Smith Friedman – Photo Courtesy of National Security Agency