CRL founder and CEO Martin Eakes received Princeton University’s James Madison Medal on Saturday, February 21, 2015 during the university’s 100th anniversary of Alumni Day. Queen Noor of Jordan, Princeton alumna, was also honored.
Martin was honored for his work to empower lower-income communities, including low-wealth families and communities of color. He’s done so through the work of the Center for Community Self-Help, a consumer financial services organization dedicated to advancing financial opportunity, security, and wealth and the Center for Responsible Lending, an advocacy organization supporting fair and responsible lending regulations and policies.
Named for James Madison, Princeton's first graduate alumnus, the Madison Medal recognizes an alumnus or alumna of the Graduate School who has had a distinguished career, advanced the cause of graduate education, or achieved a record of outstanding public service.
The Madison Award is the latest in a collection of accolades for his work. Among numerous other awards, Martin was named a MacArthur Fellow in 1996, received the McArthur Foundation Award on behalf of CRL in 2012, and the Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in 2013.