Ani to be Honored for Activism

Musician Ani DiFranco will receive the Woody Guthrie Award on Thursday in recognition of her outspokenness on social issues.

DiFranco's mostly autobiographical songwriting combines personal and political statements that have referenced patriarchy, racism, sexism, homophobia, abortion, poverty, and war. In 2006, the bisexual musician received the Woman of Courage Award, presented by the National Organization for Women, for her contributions to the feminist movement. Through her Righteous Babe Foundation, a namesake of her record label, DiFranco has backed several organizations including the Southern Center for Human Rights, Code Pink, and United for Peace and Justice.

Guthrie, an American songwriter/poet/singer, died of complications from Huntington's Disease. His widow, Marjorie Guthrie, founded the Huntington's Disease Society of America 42 years ago in an effort to fight the disease.