# articles

title: Geoffrey Knauth elected Free Software Foundation president; Odile Bénassy joins the board
uri: Geoffrey-Knauth-elected-Free-Software-Foundation-president-Odile-Bén
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/geoffrey-knauth-elected-free-software-foundation-president-odile-benassy-joins-the-board

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/geoffrey-knauth-elected-free-software-foundation-president-odile-benassy-joins-the-board

content:
<p>BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 -- The Free
Software Foundation (FSF) today announced the addition of a new
director to its board, and the election of a new president.</p>
<p>Long-time free software activist and developer Odile Bénassy, known
especially for her work promoting free software in France, was elected
to the FSF's board of directors. Geoffrey Knauth, who has served on
the FSF's board for over thirty years, was elected president.</p>
<p>On her election, Bénassy said, "I'm happy and proud to accept FSF's
invitation to be part of the board. I want to help keep steady the
principles of free software, and the philosophical values around
it. Free software counts among what the world badly needs nowadays."</p>
<p>Knauth welcomed Bénassy, saying, "I am delighted that Odile Bénassy
has agreed to become a director of the FSF, FSF's first director from
Europe. Odile is a mathematics educator, researcher, software
engineer, and leader of the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/GNU_Edu">GNU Edu project</a>. She has been
advocating for and developing free software for more than twenty
years."</p>
<p>FSF's executive director, John Sullivan, added, "Being on the FSF's
board of directors means first and foremost standing as a guardian for
free software and the associated user freedoms. With such a long track
record, Odile has shown herself to be someone FSF members and
supporters can count on. I'm really looking forward to working with
her, and I'm excited to see all the ways she'll help the FSF be better
and stronger."</p>
<p>Describing his approach to his new position as president, Knauth
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/statement-from-fsfs-new-president-geoffrey-knauth">posted a statement</a> which begins, "The FSF board chose me at this
moment as a servant leader to help the community focus on our shared
dedication to protect and grow software that respects our freedoms. It
is also important to protect and grow the diverse membership of the
community. It is through our diversity of backgrounds and opinions
that we have creativity, perspective, intellectual strength and
rigor."</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">
<img src="media/22405da1.geoff-hangar.jpg" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/staff-photos/board/geoff-hangar.jpg" alt="Geoff Knauth" width="275" style="margin-top:4px;" />
<img src="media/3021f490.odile.jpg" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/staff-photos/board/odile.jpg" alt="Odile Benassy" width="275" style="margin-top:4px;" /></p>

<p>The full list of FSF board members and officers can be found at
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/about/staff-and-board">https://www.fsf.org/about/staff-and-board</a>.</p>
<h3>About the Free Software Foundation</h3>
<p>The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to
promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and
redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and
use of free (as in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU operating
system and its GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation for free
software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and
political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites,
located at <a href="https://fsf.org">https://fsf.org</a> and <a href="https://gnu.org">https://gnu.org</a>, are an important
source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's
work can be made at <a href="https://donate.fsf.org">https://donate.fsf.org</a>. Its headquarters are in
Boston, MA, USA.</p>
<p>More information about the FSF, as well as important information for
journalists and publishers, is at <a href="https://www.fsf.org/press">https://www.fsf.org/press</a>.</p>
<h3>Media Contacts</h3>
<p>John Sullivan<br />
Executive Director<br />
Free Software Foundation<br />
+1 (617) 542 5942<br />
<a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a><br />
</p>
<p><em>Geoffrey Knauth Photo Copyright ©2020 Geoffrey Knauth and used with permission.</em>
<em>Odile Bénassy Photo Copyright ©2020 Odile Bénassy and used with permission.</em></p>


title: FSF celebrates thirty-fifth anniversary with week of surprises and online event
uri: FSF-celebrates-thirty-fifth-anniversary-with-week-of-surprises-and-onl
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-celebrates-thirty-fifth-anniversary-with-week-of-surprises-and-online-event

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-celebrates-thirty-fifth-anniversary-with-week-of-surprises-and-online-event

content:
<p><strong>BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Tuesday, October 6, 2020 -- On October
4th, <a href="https://www.fsf.org/">the Free Software Foundation (FSF)</a> turned thirty-five years
old, and is taking this week to celebrate. Activities will include the
launch of a new FSF video, anniversary-themed artwork, and a
livestreamed event with special guests from around the world.</strong></p>
<p>On October 4, 1985, Harold Abelson, Robert J. Chassell, Richard
M. Stallman, Gerald Jay Sussman, and Leonard H. Tower,
Jr. incorporated the Free Software Foundation, Inc. In their
application they wrote: "Our hope is to encourage members of the
public to cooperate with each other by sharing software and other
useful information. [...] In addition, the virtues of self-reliance
and independent initiative will be furthered because users of our
software will have the plans with which to repair or change it."</p>
<p>Free software gives every person the rights to run, change, share, and
contribute to the software, and the FSF believes that these rights
also help to support other fundamental rights like freedom of speech,
freedom of the press, and the right to privacy. Since its
incorporation, the encroachments on computer users that FSF founder
Richard Stallman wrote about in his <a href="https://www.gnu.org/gnu/manifesto.html">GNU Manifesto</a>, published that
same year, have not subsided.</p>
<p><em>The New Yorker</em> published <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/the-gnu-manifesto-turns-thirty">an article</a> celebrating the Manifesto,
and the Foundation's thirtieth birthday in 2015. They emphasized the
visionary nature of the FSF's founding principles, and the
ever-increasing encroachment of proprietary software:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"[...] if commercial entities were going to own the methods and
technologies that controlled computers, then computer users would
inevitably become beholden to those entities. This has come to pass,
and in spades. Most computer users have become dependent on
proprietary code provided by companies like Apple, Facebook, and
Google, the use of which comes with conditions we may not condone or
even know about, and can’t control; we have forfeited the freedom to
adapt such code according to our needs, preferences, and personal
ethics."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The FSF points to evidence that in the five years since, the problems
have continued to get worse -- as the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/a-tech-antitrust-hearing-misses-the-point">recent US antitrust hearings</a>
have shown, governments are still struggling to address the
technological threats to fundamental freedoms.</p>
<p>Commenting on the birthday, and his time at the FSF, executive
director John Sullivan said: "I've been fortunate to be a member of
the FSF staff for almost half of these thirty-five years. Standing up
to the biggest, most powerful companies and governments on the planet
is exhausting work. In addition to the multiple generations of FSF
staff and board members, I want to thank all of the community
supporters -- activists, hackers, donors, volunteers -- who have stuck with us
through the ups and downs, knowing the vital long-term importance of
the FSF as a staunch protector of computer user freedom. We'll take a
second to celebrate how far we've come, and then take that energy to
keep moving forward."</p>
<p>FSF president Geoffrey Knauth also stressed the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/statement-from-fsfs-new-president-geoffrey-knauth">importance of
individuals</a> involved in defending computer user rights for all
these years, and called for continued activism:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It is you who are important, it is you who joined the effort to help
the world see the virtues of free software, the dedication of its
thousands of contributors and volunteers, the high quality of free
software used every day around the world, and its sheer endurance and
ability to find itself in widespread use even by those who were once
fierce opponents to free software. Take that to heart, let's keep it
going. Tell it to your children, and let's make sure your children
have the freedoms you have achieved, and more."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>To celebrate the thirty-fifth birthday, the FSF has <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community">announced</a> a
week full of surprises, including a video about the fundamental
importance of software freedom; the release of anniversary-themed
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/fsf-35-years-limited-edition-t-shirt-and-poster-for-sale">artwork</a>, available on a T-shirt and poster, designed by
illustrator and artist David Revoy; and, on Friday, October 9th, 2020,
they will host an online event with <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/join-the-fsf-for-an-online-birthday-celebration-on-friday-october-9th">guests from around the
world</a>. The <a href="https://www.fsf.org/events/fsf35">online program</a> goes from 12:00 EDT (16:00 UTC)
until 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC), and features, among other things, a
session about federated social media and its moderation, and an
interactive discussion with a range of international free software
group organizers.</p>
<p>"There is no better way to celebrate this occasion than to call
attention to the community members around the world who are at the
center of the movement's past and future successes," says FSF program
manager and event organizer Zoë Kooyman.</p>
<p>The FSF has sent out a call for free software supporters to <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Video_upload_instructions">send a
celebratory two-minute video</a> to the organization during this week,
to be featured during the event. It also encourages people to take
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community">specific actions</a> to protect their and others' freedoms.</p>
<h2>About the Free Software Foundation</h2>
<p>The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to
promoting computer users' right to run, edit, share, contribute to,
and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development
and use of free (as in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU
operating system and its GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation
for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the
ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software, and
its Web sites, located at <a href="https://fsf.org">https://fsf.org</a> and <a href="https://gnu.org">https://gnu.org</a>, are
an important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to
support the FSF's work can be made at <a href="https://donate.fsf.org">https://donate.fsf.org</a>. Its
headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.</p>
<p>More information about the FSF, as well as important information for
journalists and publishers, is at <a href="https://www.fsf.org/press">https://www.fsf.org/press</a>.</p>
<h2>Media Contacts</h2>
<p>Zoë Kooyman              <br />
Program Manager              <br />
Free Software Foundation             <br />
+1 (617) 542 5942            <br />
<a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>            <br />
</p>


uri: PRESS-FSF-calls-for-community-participation-to-help-update-High-Prior
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-calls-for-community-participation-to-help-update-high-priority-free-software-projects-list

title:
PRESS: FSF calls for community participation to help update High Priority Free Software Projects list

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-calls-for-community-participation-to-help-update-high-priority-free-software-projects-list


uri: Free-Software-Foundation-awarded-perfect-score-from-Charity-Navigator
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-foundation-awarded-perfect-score-from-charity-navigator-plus-eighth-consecutive-four-star-rating

title:
Free Software Foundation awarded perfect score from Charity Navigator, plus eighth consecutive four-star rating 

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-foundation-awarded-perfect-score-from-charity-navigator-plus-eighth-consecutive-four-star-rating


title: Free Software Foundation awarded consulting project grant from Community Consulting Teams of Boston
uri: Free-Software-Foundation-awarded-consulting-project-grant-from-Communi
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-foundation-awarded-consulting-project-grant-from-community-consulting-teams-of-boston

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-foundation-awarded-consulting-project-grant-from-community-consulting-teams-of-boston


title: Free Software Awards winners announced: CiviCRM, Bradley Kuhn, and Alyssa Rosenzweig
uri: Free-Software-Awards-winners-announced-CiviCRM-Bradley-Kuhn-and-Aly
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-civicrm-bradley-kuhn-and-alyssa-rosenzweig

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-civicrm-bradley-kuhn-and-alyssa-rosenzweig


uri: Free-Software-Wireless-N-Mini-Router-v3-from-ThinkPenguin-Inc-now-FS
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-wireless-n-mini-router-v3-from-thinkpenguin-inc-now-fsf-certified-to-respect-your-freedom

title:
Free Software Wireless-N Mini Router v3 from ThinkPenguin, Inc. now FSF-certified to Respect Your Freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-wireless-n-mini-router-v3-from-thinkpenguin-inc-now-fsf-certified-to-respect-your-freedom


title: FSF announces JShelter browser add-on to combat threats from nonfree JavaScript
uri: FSF-announces-JShelter-browser-add-on-to-combat-threats-from-nonfree-J
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-announces-jshelter-browser-add-on-to-combat-threats-from-nonfree-javascript

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-announces-jshelter-browser-add-on-to-combat-threats-from-nonfree-javascript


uri: Activists-around-the-world-protest-Disney-s-unethical-streaming-platf
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/activists-around-the-world-protest-disney-s-unethical-streaming-platform-for-international-day-against-drm

title:
Activists around the world protest Disney+'s unethical streaming platform for International Day Against DRM

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/activists-around-the-world-protest-disney-s-unethical-streaming-platform-for-international-day-against-drm


title: FSF expands process for associate members to nominate new members of the board
uri: FSF-expands-process-for-associate-members-to-nominate-new-members-of-t
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-expands-process-for-associate-members-to-nominate-new-members-of-the-board

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-expands-process-for-associate-members-to-nominate-new-members-of-the-board


title: Free Software Awards winners announced: SecuRepairs, Protesilaos Stavrou, Paul Eggert
uri: Free-Software-Awards-winners-announced-SecuRepairs-Protesilaos-Stavr
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-securepairs-protesilaos-stavrou-paul-eggert

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-securepairs-protesilaos-stavrou-paul-eggert


uri: Worldwide-community-of-activists-emphasize-the-freedom-to-share-digita
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/worldwide-community-of-activists-emphasize-the-freedom-to-share-digital-media-for-international-day-against-drm

title:
Worldwide community of activists emphasize the freedom to share digital media for International Day Against DRM

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/worldwide-community-of-activists-emphasize-the-freedom-to-share-digital-media-for-international-day-against-drm


title: Software freedom in education advocate Erin Rose Glass to keynote FSF's LibrePlanet
uri: Software-freedom-in-education-advocate-Erin-Rose-Glass-to-keynote-FSF
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/software-freedom-in-education-advocate-erin-rose-glass-to-keynote-fsfs-libreplanet

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/software-freedom-in-education-advocate-erin-rose-glass-to-keynote-fsfs-libreplanet


title: Free Software Awards winners announced: Eli Zaretskii, Tad (SkewedZeppelin), GNU Jami
uri: Free-Software-Awards-winners-announced-Eli-Zaretskii-Tad-(SkewedZepp
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-eli-zaretskii-tad-skewedzeppelin-gnu-jami

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-awards-winners-announced-eli-zaretskii-tad-skewedzeppelin-gnu-jami


uri: Free-Software-Gigabit-Mini-VPN-Router-(TPE-R1400)-from-ThinkPenguin-I
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-gigabit-mini-vpn-router-tpe-r1400-from-thinkpenguin-inc-now-fsf-certified-to-respect-your-freedom

title:
Free Software Gigabit Mini VPN Router (TPE-R1400) from ThinkPenguin, Inc. now FSF-certified to Respect Your Freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-gigabit-mini-vpn-router-tpe-r1400-from-thinkpenguin-inc-now-fsf-certified-to-respect-your-freedom


title: FSF celebrates forty years of GNU with a hackday for families, hackers, and hackers-to-be
uri: FSF-celebrates-forty-years-of-GNU-with-a-hackday-for-families-hackers
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-celebrates-forty-years-of-gnu-with-a-hackday-for-families-hackers-and-hackers-to-be

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/fsf-celebrates-forty-years-of-gnu-with-a-hackday-for-families-hackers-and-hackers-to-be


title: LibrePlanet 2024: "Cultivating Community" will feature a keynote by David Wilson
uri: LibrePlanet-2024-Cultivating-Community-will-feature-a-keynote-by-Da
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community-will-feature-a-keynote-by-david-wilson

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community-will-feature-a-keynote-by-david-wilson


title: Worldwide community of activists protest OverDrive and others forcing DRM upon libraries
uri: Worldwide-community-of-activists-protest-OverDrive-and-others-forcing
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/worldwide-community-of-activists-protest-overdrive-and-others-forcing-drm-upon-libraries

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/worldwide-community-of-activists-protest-overdrive-and-others-forcing-drm-upon-libraries


title: US Federal employees and retirees: Contribute conveniently through the Combined Federal Campaign
uri: US-Federal-employees-and-retirees-Contribute-conveniently-through-the
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/federal-employees-and-retirees-contribute-conveniently-through-the-combined-federal-campaign

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/federal-employees-and-retirees-contribute-conveniently-through-the-combined-federal-campaign


title: Alyssa Rosenzweig, who spearheaded the reverse-engineering of Apple's GPU, to keynote LibrePlanet
uri: Alyssa-Rosenzweig-who-spearheaded-the-reverse-engineering-of-Apple-s
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/news/alyssa-rosenzweig-who-spearheaded-the-reverse-engineering-of-apples-gpu-to-keynote-libreplanet

url:
http://www.fsf.org/news/alyssa-rosenzweig-who-spearheaded-the-reverse-engineering-of-apples-gpu-to-keynote-libreplanet


