United States President Joe Biden, on Saturday, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, recognizing them with the highest civilian honor in the United States. The honorees included a diverse mix of entertainers, sports stars, activists, and diplomats, the White House announced on January 4.
Hillary Clinton, who served as first lady, senator, secretary of state, and was the first woman nominated for president by a major political party, was one of the recipients. The White House statement highlighted that Clinton “made history many times over decades in public service.”
Among the other recipients were actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, U2 frontman Bono, Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi, and philanthropist George Soros. Several posthumous awards were given to civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and former Michigan Governor George W. Romney.
Biden also honored a number of influential individuals, including conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, retired NBA star Magic Johnson, chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, science educator Bill Nye, LGBTQ activist Tim Gill, philanthropist David Rubenstein, and American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.
Many of the recipients have long been supporters of Biden and the Democratic Party.
Before presenting the awards, Biden addressed the honorees, acknowledging their lasting contributions. “Together, you leave an incredible mark – and I mean this sincerely, this group – you leave an incredible mark on our country,” he remarked.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, is awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation’s prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavors.
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