Washington DC [US], January 5: US President Joe Biden has announced the recipients of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In a statement from the White House, Biden highlighted the 19 individuals who have made significant contributions to the prosperity, values, and security of the United States, as well as to world peace and various societal endeavors.
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who exemplify leadership, decency, and extraordinary contributions to both their country and the world,” the statement read. “These individuals embody those qualities, and their work has made America and the world a better place.”
The honorees will receive their awards at a ceremony at the White House on Saturday.
Among the recipients is Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State, who made history as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate and later became the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
Other notable awardees include renowned Spanish-American chef and philanthropist Jose Andres, recognized for his efforts to provide disaster relief through World Central Kitchen; Tim Gill, a pioneering entrepreneur who advanced LGBTQI rights; and Jane Goodall, celebrated for her groundbreaking research on primates and her advocacy for conservation.
The award will also be presented posthumously to Ashton Baldwin Carter, the 25th Secretary of Defense; civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer, known for her role in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party; and Robert F. Kennedy, remembered for his fight against racial segregation and poverty.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom honors individuals whose contributions have shaped society in profound ways, and these 19 honorees will join a distinguished group of past recipients.