January 4th 2025.
On Saturday, a momentous event took place at the White House as President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon 19 individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to our country. Among the distinguished recipients were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, philanthropist George Soros, and renowned actor-director Denzel Washington.
This prestigious award is the highest civilian honor in the United States and is given to those who have made significant impacts in various fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and science. The White House stated that these individuals have exemplified excellence and have contributed to the prosperity, values, and security of our nation, as well as world peace and other significant societal endeavors.
Among the recipients, four will be awarded posthumously. They are Fannie Lou Hamer, who was a key figure in the civil rights movement and laid the groundwork for the Voting Rights Act of 1965; former Attorney General and Senator Robert F. Kennedy; George W. Romney, who served as both the governor of Michigan and the secretary of housing and urban development; and Ash Carter, a former secretary of defense.
It is worth noting that Kennedy is the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was President Donald Trump's nominee for health and human services secretary. Romney is also the father of former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, a notable conservative critic of Trump.
Several notable philanthropists were also honored, including Spanish American chef José Andrés, whose charity World Central Kitchen has become a globally recognized organization for food relief efforts. Bono, the frontman of the iconic rock band U2 and a prominent social justice activist, was also among the recipients.
In the world of sports and entertainment, the award went to professional soccer player Lionel Messi; Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a retired basketball legend and successful businessman; Michael J. Fox, an actor and vocal advocate for Parkinson's disease research; and William Sanford Nye, better known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" to generations of students.
Other notable awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; Anna Wintour, the longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine; iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren; George Stevens Jr., founder of the American Film Institute; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of the global investment firm, The Carlyle Group.
Last year, 19 individuals were also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, and actor and activist Michelle Yeoh. This year's award ceremony was a momentous occasion, recognizing the outstanding contributions of these 19 remarkable individuals to our nation and the world.
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