The Rocky Stone Award was first bestowed on Howard “Rocky” Stone in 1986. Mr. Stone, a parishioner of St. Bartholomew Church in Bethesda, started a committee under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Washington in 1979 to bring awareness to parishes regarding the needs of people with disabilities. This committee continued to bear fruit and the Office for Ministry with Persons with Disabilities was formed. The Rocky Stone Award is given to a person or persons within a parish of the Archdiocese of Washington who have demonstrated leadership, or advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities. It may also be given to those who demonstrated leadership across the entire Archdiocese.