1.

1953

Pittsburgh Courier Award to Ward Singers as “World’s Best Singers of Gospel”

2.

1954

City of Philadelphia Citation to Ward Singers on their twenty-first anniversary

3.

1957

“Best Singers of the Twentieth Century” Trophy to Ward Singers at the Abyssinian Baptist Church (Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Pastor) annual awards event: “The Ward Singers have given something to God’s music and to His Gospel that has echoed around the world.”

4.

1967

Hollywood Overseas Committee, USO, Commendation to Clara Ward

5.

1967

Department of Defense, Certificate of Esteem to Clara Ward

6.

1974

Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, posthumous induction ceremony for Clara Ward

7.

1984

Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) memorial tributes to Clara Ward (1924-1973) and Gertrude Ward (1901-1981), presented by Mayor Richard Hatcher (board chairman) and the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson (national president)

8.

1985

Gospel Music Association, posthumous induction of Clara Ward into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, Tennessee, paying tribute to her for “the accomplishments and spirit of selfless dedication that have touched the lives of millions through the spreading of the True Word and the Good News” in music and her “indelible impact on the annals of gospel history.”

9.

1988

Uppre Inc. B. G. Hall of Fame Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Gospel Music”

10.

1992

Philadelphia City Council Citation to the Ward Singers: “The council notes that the Ward Singers have inspired countless thousands of people in this country, Europe, the Holy Land, and the Orient. Their music transcends age, race, and religion. Their concerts are sold out, their recordings sell in the millions, and still the faithful come to be entertained by this remarkable group.”

11.

1992

Philadelphia Music Alliance Fifth Annual Awards, ceremony honoring Clara Ward and the Famous Ward Singers. Willa Ward, accompanied at her request by Marion Williams, Kitty Parham, Frances Steadman, Esther Ford, and Marguerite Shaw, accepted in their name. A plaque embedded in the sidewalk on the Avenue of the Arts in Center City, Philadelphia, joins those of Pearl Bailey, Ethel Waters, Mario Lanza, Patti LaBelle, Marian Anderson, Jeanette MacDonald, and many others.

12.

1994

Bernice Johnson Reagon of the Smithsonian Institution, on the Wade in the Water radio series paid tribute to Clara Ward and the Ward Singers.

13.

1994

Hallelujah Mahalia by Donald Welsh, a musical chronicling the life of Mahalia (presented at the Philadelphia Ethical Society Building), included Ward Singers’ hits that brought audiences to their feet at every performance

14.

1994

Stellar Award from Johnny Lloyd’s “Gospel Music of the Master” Series

1.

1991

Christian Image Award, Halo Award, presented to The Clara Ward Singers

2.

1991

California State Assembly “The Clara Ward Singers In Recognition of Over 30 Years of Community Inspiration Through Song.” Presented By: Assemblyman Curtis R. Tucker, Jr. Los Angeles, California

3.

1991

City Of Los Angeles, “In recognition of your Life Time Achievements through gospel ministry and helping others for more than 30 years, I hereby proclaim November 24, 1991, as Clara Ward Singers Day.” Tom Bradley, Mayor

4.

1991

New Pleasant Hill, “For Your Contribution To Gospel Music” THE Ward Singers

5.

1995

James Cleveland Award for “Outstanding Contribution in Gospel Music” to Clara Ward Singers on Gospel Music Stellar Awards television show

6.

1996

King Day, Jeffrey—Shantel and the L.A. Deliverance Choir of Watts Award Of Merit presented to The Legendary Clara Ward Singers, “For many years of outstanding traditional gospel music”

7.

1997

Gospelfest ’97 presented by Disneyland, The Thomas A. Dorsey Award Of Distinction, presented to The Clara Ward Singers

8.

1998

House of Blues Sunday Brunch presents The Excellence of Praise Award to The Legendary Clara Ward Singers 38th Anniversary

9.

1998

Awarded US Postage Stamp, Clara Ward (Gospel Singers) Scott #3218 Issued on July 15, 1998 in New Orleans, LA

10.

2000

Felicitations and Best Wishes To Ms. Madeline Thompson and The Legendary Clara Ward Singers, Sam Spann and The Victory Choirs Trophy

11.

2000

Los Angeles Black Business Expo West Coast Gospel Live salutes Gospel Legends – Clara Ward Singers presented to Madeline Thompson

12.

2001

African Methodist Episcopal Community “Award Of Excellence” Clara Ward Singers “In Recognition of Your Outstanding Musical Contributions”

13.

2002

FNCF, Black History Month Honoree Madeline Thompson, The Clara Ward Singers

14.

2002

Award of Appreciation presented to The Legendary Clara Ward Singers under the direction of Madeline Thompson, “For dedicated service to the performance of Gospel Music for over Sixty years” New Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Music Department

15.

2003

Southern California Gospel Radio Announcers Guild, Traditional Choir Of The Year, Madeline Thompson and The Legendary Clara Ward Singers

16.

2004

The Heart Of Compassion Outreach International/Historical “Positive Impact Award” presented to The Legendary Clara Ward Singers

17.

2005

Ward A.M.E. Church Honors The Ward Singers, “For Leadership and Service to the Faith Community”

18.

2006

House of Blues Gospel Brunch presents Spirit of Excellence Award, presented to Madeline Thompson & The Legendary Clara Ward Singers

19.

ND

Trophy From Annice Deveaux to Madeline Thompson

1.

1959

Interurban League’s Junior Oscar Award to Gay Charmers as “Person or persons who most advanced American music during the year”

2.

1986

Diane Brown at Heavenly Hall, tribute to Willa Ward for her contribution to Gospel music

3.

1992

Faith Tabernacle Mutchmore Memorial Baptist Church Trophy to Willa Ward-Royster for continued service in the field of Gospel music

4.

1992

Horace Clarence Boyer, in his Gospel chronology radio series, honored the Ward Singers and interviewed Willa Ward as their spokesperson

5.

1994

Gospel Music Preservation Alliance, Inc., Serena Blanca, President, Certificate of Appreciation to Willa Ward-Royster

1.

1993

The McArthur “Genius Award” (and cash grant of $375,000) for outstanding service to the community

2.

1993

Marion Williams—One of the Kennedy Center Honors, presented to living artists for lifetime achievement. The other recipients on this occasion were Johnny Carson, Arthur Mitchell, Sir George Solti, and Stephen Sondheim

3.

1994

Philadelphia Music Alliance Award and sidewalk plaque on the Avenue of the Arts presented to Marion Williams as a member of the Ward Singers