Sherrie Rollins Westin, president of Sesame Workshop and a 1980 graduate of the University of Virginia, has been named this year’s recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership. The medal honors individuals whose work exemplifies Thomas Jefferson’s commitment to the duty and virtue of public service, and is the University’s highest external honor.
Westin’s leadership has extended to media, government and the nonprofit sector. As president of Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind the longtime children’s show, “Sesame Street,” Westin leads efforts to reach children and families around the world with critical early education through mass media and targeted initiatives.
She serves as Sesame Workshop’s chief mission ambassador, raising awareness, developing strategic partnerships and cultivating philanthropic support to further the organization’s mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder.
“We are honored to recognize Ms. Westin with this year’s Medal in Citizen Leadership for her unwavering commitment to public service and improving the lives of others,” said Ian Solomon, dean of 鶹ƽ Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, which selects the Citizen Leadership Medalist. “Under her leadership, Sesame Workshop is helping children and families navigate the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering empathy and honest conversations about race and racism, and delivering critical early childhood support to millions of children affected by conflict and crisis.
