The ACLU of Vermont celebrated our 2026 Annual Celebration at Burlington Beer Company in Burlington last month, and we are still energized by the incredible turnout and palpable community resilience.
The evening was a powerful convergence of celebration, community, and unwavering commitment to the crucial work of protecting civil liberties across our state.
A powerful tribute to our mission
Building on last year’s incredible gathering, this year’s Annual Celebration brought together our biggest audience to date! Seeing so many dedicated community members, partners, and friends fill the room to protect our civil liberties is a living tribute to our mission—showing that our collective momentum and commitment to justice in Vermont continue to grow year after year.
The gathering provided a moment for reflection and shared vision. Our staff shared updates on the transformative work achieved this year, highlighting key legal victories and policy advancements.
We were honored to present the Andrea Warnke Civil Liberties Award to Outright Vermont’s executive director, Dana Kaplan. The award recognizes Dana’s work of expanding the organization’s statewide reach, with vision, courage, and deep compassion, helping to empower LGBTQ+ youth in Vermont—a crucial effort in firmly establishing Outright as a state leader and voice for human rights, upholding civil rights, and ensuring justice for all in the face of ongoing national attacks.
We encourage those committed to the fight for justice to connect with Outright Vermont: make a donation, sign up for their updates, and find ways to get involved in supporting LGBTQ+ youth statewide.
The room’s collective energy and passion proved what experience has already shown us: our success relies entirely on a dedicated and active community. Every conversation, connection, and shared experience reminded us how vital it is to stand shoulder to shoulder as we confront injustice and defend the values of freedom and equal rights.
Thank You to Our Generous Partners
Thank you to every member, donor, sponsor, and attendee for your steadfast support of the ACLU of Vermont. Your dedication powers our daily work, from legal battles and legislative lobbying to community education. This year’s Annual Celebration was our biggest and best yet, thanks to the profound generosity of our community partners and sponsors.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to the following businesses, who helped make the evening possible: The Alchemist, Vermont Law and Graduate School, Gravel & Shea, Paul Frank + Collins, Stowe Bee, Vermont Green, Red Hen Baking Co., Phoenix Books, and 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions.
The momentum from this year’s Annual Celebration is undeniable. It reminds us that our work—and our community’s commitment—must continue every day. We look forward to gathering with you again at the 2027 Annual Celebration to celebrate even greater victories, powered by the collective action we take starting now.
If you weren’t able to join us this year or want to take the next step in supporting our mission, we invite you to explore how you can take action and get involved. Your support is vital; you can also donate today to help us continue defending civil rights and core freedoms across Vermont.