Joanna Pinkerton accepts The Spirit of Columbus® Award as the 2022 honoree on behalf of the work she and thousands of team members at the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) who showed steadfastness, courage, and resolve by putting others first during unquestionably historic times—demonstrating the Spirit of Columbus remains alive and well in our community.

Every year on the anniversary of Jerrie Mock's historic flight around the world in her single-engine Cessna named Spirit of Columbus, the Foundation recognizes members of our community who, like Jerrie, exhibit bravery, boldness, and determination through their efforts and accomplishments.

Watch past honorees, including 2021's honoree Roshelle "Food Soldier" Pate + the COTA team surprise Joanna Pinkerton with The Spirit of Columbus Award in this month's blog!

During a live broadcast, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Dr. Amy Acton, then-Director of the Ohio Department of Health, as The Columbus Foundation’s 2020 recipient of The Spirit of Columbus® Award. Thank you, Dr. Amy Acton, former Director of the Ohio Department of Health, and all of Ohio’s healthcare workers and frontline responders, for your leadership.

Members of the Save the Crew movement were honored as the 2019 recipients of The Spirit of Columbus® Award.

10 leaders of the central Ohio arts community as the 2018 recipients of The Spirit of Columbus® Award.

Denny Griffith, former President of Columbus College of Art & Design, named the 2014 recipient of The Spirit of Columbus® Award. 

Michelle Alexander, legal scholar, advocate, civil rights attorney, and author of the groundbreaking book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, the 2017 recipient of The Spirit of Columbus® Award.