Resident Laurie Ortolano will receive the Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award in Boston later this month. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – A tireless enforcer of the state’s Right-To-Know Law, resident Laurie Ortolano was recently chosen by the New England First Amendment Coalition to receive this year’s Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award.

She will be honored by the NEFAC during a private ceremony on Oct. 24 in Boston.

Over the years, Ortolano has filed more than 15 lawsuits against the city. These actions have resulted in previously undisclosed records being released, awarding attorneys’ expenses and requiring city employees to be educated on the Right-To-Know Law.

In recent years, Ortolano, representing herself, filed two appeals to garner information regarding the final construction cost of the Performing Arts Center. In addition to the appeals, Ortolano also pushed for greater transparency from city officials.

Ortolano is the owner of the GoodGov website and received the First Amendment Award in October 2023.

“Laurie Ortolano’s recognition with the First Amendment Award is a powerful affirmation of her tireless advocacy for government transparency in New Hampshire,” said resident Laura Colquhoun. “Her fight is not just personal, it’s a stand for every resident’s right to access public information.”

The Orfield Citizenship Award is named in memory of Dr. Antonia Orfield, who died in April 2009. During her career as an optometrist, Orfield understood the importance of accessing data to challenge existing assumptions.

Each year, the award is given to an individual from one of the New England states who has displayed “tenacity or bravery in the face of difficulty while obtaining information that the public has a right to know.”