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About the Award and How to Enter
About the Award and How to Enter
Dr. Norma Goldman was a respected author, teacher, mentor, ACL Merita Winner, and an inspiration to many. A long-time professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, Norma also studied in Rome and researched topics of archeology, such as Roman lamps and ancient clothing. She created a large number of authentic costumes based on the art and sculpture from the past. She produced fashion shows at various Institutes and Museum gatherings to share her work with colleagues and the general public. As a member American Classical League, Norma would dress in costume for the ACL Banquet each year and encouraged others to do the same.
Spotlight on Norma Goldman
by Zee Poerio, NCLG Norma Goldman Ancient Attire Award Coordinator
~~~
Honoring Norma Goldman
and
Celebrating the 2025 Norma Goldman Award
Norma Goldman was a beloved and knowledgeable educator who inspired many in the field of Classics, including me personally. She authored textbooks and was widely known for her video Let’s Wrap on Roman costume, a topic she explored through art and sculpture. At past ACL Institutes, Norma frequently presented her research on Roman dress, sharing how she designed and sewed historically accurate replicas. She even organized Roman fashion shows—complete with jewelry—bringing ancient attire to life.
On Banquet Night at the Institutes, many ACL members would arrive in Roman clothing. Norma delighted in complimenting participants, offering historical background on their chosen styles, and celebrating their creativity. To continue this tradition, honor Norma’s memory, and promote the study of the Classics, the National Committee for Latin and Greek established the Norma Goldman Costume Award.
How to Enter
How to Enter
Now, we have a Padlet for ACL teachers to easily upload images of themselves in ancient attire at events during the entire school year and at conventions and Institute. ACL Institute attendance is no longer required. Awardees are chosen at Institute every year by the members of NCLG.
You can view the 2025 images and learn more about Norma Goldman on this Padlet:
Please consider entering next year’s contest—and be sure to save your costume photos to share before ACL Institute in June 2026!
Awardees win a replica bronze fibula pin and $25 certificate!
Before you close the year, don’t forget to click this link and enter the NCLG
2026 NORMA GOLDMAN CONTEST PADLET LINK
Submit a photo of yourself in any ancient attire on our Padlet!
Enter by midnight, June 26, 2026. Any ACL member can enter.
Above: Padlet gathering 2025 entries
List of Recent Awardees
2025 Hannah Coldwell
2025 Hannah Coldwell
Congratulations to the 2025 Winner: Hannah Coldwell
This year’s award goes to Hannah Coldwell of Lansing, MI. Hannah has taught Latin I–IV and some Greek for ten years at Lansing Catholic High School. She shared that one of her very first lessons each year is on Roman clothing. On Rome’s birthday, her school holds a “Toga Day,” when students wear “bedsheet togas” all day to celebrate.
When asked about her winning costume, Hannah explained that for her 2021 wedding, she blended her love of “all things Roman” with her love of Star Wars. She wore a Roman flammeum with a white Princess Leia dress and carried a lightsaber bouquet. She adds, “I can show my students every year what a Roman bride might look like. I did braid my hair, although not with a spear!”
Norma would have loved Hannah’s creative approach—especially the beautiful flammeum. Norma herself had made one, which was part of her collection for a complete Roman bride’s attire.
Hannah received a $25 Amazon gift card, a Roman reproduction bronze fibula, and a certificate. Thank you to all participants!
PHOTOS: (Left to right) Hannah’s entry on the padlet, close-up of her flammeum and wreath at her wedding, Hannah’s wedding photo with “Mr. Magistra” (as her students call him) on their wedding day.
2024 Lauren Marchard
2024 Lauren Marchard
Congratulations!
Our winner for the 2024 ACL Institute
Norma Goldman Ancient Attire Contest is
Lauren Marchard from Farmington Hills, Michigan!
Her prizes included a bronze fibula and a gift certificate. She is shown at a class event featuring authentic foods.
2023 Catherine Thomas
2023 Catherine Thomas
Congratulations!
to our NCLG prize winner for the 2023
Norma Goldman Ancient Attire Contest:
Professor Catherine Thomas of University of Georgia
She is shown at a Greco-Roman dinner party of foods she had prepared for her classes.
Her Goldman prizes included a bronze fibula and a gift certificate.
2021 Matt Davis and Maureen Lamb
2021 Matt Davis and Maureen Lamb
Congratulations!
Our two NCLG prize winners for the 2021
Norma Goldman Ancient Attire Contest are
Matt Davis and Maureen Lamb
2020 Nathalie Roy Mitchell and Brian Briggs
2020 Nathalie Roy Mitchell and Brian Briggs
Congratulations!
Our two NCLG prize winners for the 2020
Norma Goldman Ancient Attire Contest are
Nathalie Roy and Brian Briggs
Nathalie's entry shows how she dressed in Costume for her students to distribute their National Mythology Exam Awards at their drive-by awards ceremony in mid-May. (N.B. She is wearing her face mask).
Brian's entry also reflected a sign of the times, since we were at home during the Virtual conference. His family also dressed in costumes. The stola and palla that his daughter is wearing was made by Brian to show his students.
Each winner received a reproduction Roman Bronze Fibula and a certificate.
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