President Barack Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on more than a dozen prominent Americans 50 years after the death of the award’s founder, President John F. Kennedy
The ceremony opened a day of tributes to Kennedy ahead of the 50th anniversary of his assassination Friday. Kennedy established the modern version of the medal but died before the first presentation.
Obama honored former President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and leaders in sports, science and public service in a White House ceremony on Wednesday, November 20. Obama said the recipients remind Americans of their own potential.
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Here is a list of the people who recieved the medal:
Bill Clinton, the 42nd president and former Arkansas governor, who was also recognized for his post-presidency humanitarian work.
Oprah Winfrey, broadcaster, actress, activist and philanthropist, who was an early supporter of Obama’s first presidential campaign.
Daniel Inouye, former senator from Hawaii, World War II veteran and the first Japanese American in Congress. Inouye received the award posthumously.
Ben Bradlee, former executive editor of the Washington Post who oversaw the newspaper’s coverage of Watergate.
Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space. Ride received the award posthumously.
Richard Lugar, former senator from Indiana who worked to reduce the global nuclear threat.
Gloria Steinem, writer and prominent women’s rights activist.
Ernie Banks, baseball player who hit more than 500 home runs and played 19 seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
Bayard Rustin, adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin received the award posthumously.
Daniel Kahneman, psychologist who won the Nobel Prize in Economics.
Loretta Lynn, country music singer.
Maria Molina, chemist and environmental scientist who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
Arturo Sandoval, Grammy-winning jazz musician who was born in Cuba and defected to the U.S.
Dean Smith, head coach of University of North Carolina’s basketball team for 36 years.
Patricia Wald, first woman appointed to U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and became the court’s chief judge.
C.T. Vivian, civil rights leader and minister.
Source: Masslive news
