Selected Awards
Honorary Doctor of Music, New England Conservatory of Music
National Heritage Fellow, National Endowment for the Arts, with Illinois Arts Council matching grant
Lifetime Achievement in Civil Rights Award, Chicago Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.
Fifth Star Award, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Ella Jenkins Park, created at Church of Three Crosses, 43rd Ward, Old Town Triangle Association, Lincoln Central Association, Chicago
Music Legend Award, Living Legends Awards
Award for Service to Humanity, Old Town School of Folk Music Board of Directors
Luminary Senior Award, Chicago Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago
GRAMMY Nomination: Best Musical Album for Children, for Sharing Cultures with Ella Jenkins, National Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences (NARAS)
Lifetime Achievement Award, National Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences (NARAS)
Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Magazine
June 28 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, City of Highland Park, Illinois
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, The Erikson Institute
The HistoryMakers honored Ella Jenkins as a MusicMaker
Early Childhood News Director's Choice Award, for Songs, Rhythms, and Chants for the Dance
Mary Crane Center Playground dedicated to Ella Jenkins
Resolution of Appreciation creating the Ella Jenkins Storyteller Corner at Bauler Playlot Park, The City Council of the City of Chicago
Mary Crane Center Playground dedicated to Ella Jenkins
Magic Penny Award, Children’s Music Network
MENC (Music Educators National Conference) "Presented to Ella Jenkins in appreciation of her support for music education and the National Association for Music Education
Early Childhood News Director's Choice Award, Excellence in products for young children for Holiday Times and Songs Children Love to Sing
Parents’ Choice Audio Classic Award for Seasons for Singing
Jane Addams Medal of Honor, Juvenile Protection Association
Proclamation by the Governor of the State of Mississippi: "We commend Ella L. Jenkins for her many outstanding achievements serving children."
Honorable Mention in the category of Children’s Music for A Union of Friends Pulling Together, AFIM (Association for Independent Music) "Indie" Awards
Key to The City of Utica presented to Ella Jenkins "in appreciation for her many years of service"
Presidential invitation to participate in "America’s Millennium" celebration, Washington, DC.
ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award: First recipient in the field of Children's Music and the first woman selected for the honor.
The Chicago Council for Exceptional Children / Exceptional Children’s Week Committee, Honorary Chairperson
Folkways at Fifty Certificate of Appreciation: "In recognition of participation in Folkways At Fifty Celebration and exceptional contributions to the increase and diffusion of knowledge about cultures and traditions that enrich our nation and the world."
March 7 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, City of Indianapolis, Indiana
Mom Talk Radio (Illinois) "Better World Award"
Zora Neale Hurston “Keepers of the Culture” Award, National Association of Black Storytellers
August 12 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, City of Highland Park, Illinois
Declared Chicago Living Treasure, Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago
Meritorious Service Award, Cook County Children’s Hospital, IL
American Academy of Children’s Entertainment, Best Variety Performer Award
Ravinia Festival Salute for 25 years of outstanding children’s music
Lifetime Achievement Award, KOHL Education Foundation
Service to Young Children Award, Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children
November 30 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago
November 9 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, City of Mobile, Alabama
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s Gold Seal Selection, Live! At the Smithsonian
Parents' Choice Award, Come Dance by the Ocean
Parents’ Choice Award, Video: Live at The Smithsonian
November 16 proclaimed Ella Jenkins Day, Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia
President’s Award for Years of Artistic Service, Boulevard Arts Center, Chicago
Pioneer in Early Television citation, The National Museum of American History
Governor’s Award, contribution in children’s recording and performance, National Academy of Recordings Arts and Sciences (NARAS), Chicago Chapter
Washington (D.C.) Association For The Education of Young Children, Resolution of Thanks
First Annual Children’s Music Award, Children’s Music Society
May 22 proclaimed Ella Jenkins and the Children at Stern Grove Day, Office of the Mayor of San Francisco
Named Honorary Citizen of Louisville, KY, during The Year of the Child
Became a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Foundation
