The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to scientists, artists, and thinkers, but the award also honors those who have shaped our culture from the stage and the screen, like actress Cicely Tyson.
“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only succeeded as an actor, she has shaped the whole course of history. Cicely was never the likeliest of Hollywood stars. The daughter of immigrants from the West Indies, she was raised by a hardworking and religious mother who cleaned houses and forbade her children to attend the movies. But once she got her education and broke into the business, Cicely made a conscious decision not just to say lines, but to speak out.” —President Obama, 2016
Decades before her name became well known through Hidden Figures, Katherine G. Johnson calculated the flight path for America’s first mission in space, and the path that put Neil Armstrong on the moon. She broadened the scope of space travel, charted new frontiers for humanity’s exploration of space, and created new possibilities for all humankind.
“In her 33 years at NASA, Katherine was a pioneer who broke the barriers of race and gender, showing generations of young people that everyone can excel in math and science, and reach for the stars.” —President Obama, 2015
Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color elected to Congress. Hailing from Maui, she became the first Japanese American female attorney in Hawaiʻi. She is best known for co-authoring and championing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2014.
“If she was a first, she dedicated her life to making sure that she would not be the last. From championing civil rights to fighting for -– fighting against gender discrimination — Patsy was a passionate advocate for opportunity, equality and realizing the full promise of the American Dream.” —President Obama, 2014
The first American female astronaut to travel to space, Dr. Sally Ride was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously for her history-making contributions and her advocacy for the importance of STEM. Dr. Ride’s partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy accepted the award on her behalf. President Obama and Dr. Ride met in 2009 at the White House.
“We remember Sally Ride not just as a national hero, but as a role model to generations of young women. Sally inspired us to reach for the stars, and she advocated for a greater focus on the science, technology, engineering and math that would help us get there. Sally showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve.” —President Obama, 2013
Dolores Huerta is an iconic civil rights, workers, and women’s advocate. With Cesar Chavez, she co-founded the National Farmworkers Association in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. She was influential in securing the passage of California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, and disability insurance for farmworkers in California.
“Without any negotiating experience, Dolores helped lead a worldwide grape boycott that forced growers to agree to some of the country’s first farm worker contracts. And ever since, she has fought to give more people a seat at the table.” —President Obama, 2012
Driven by a profound commitment to justice, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American congresswoman and the first African American woman from a major political party to run for President. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2015.
“Shirley Chisholm’s example transcends her life. And when asked how she’d like to be remembered, she had an answer: ‘I’d like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts.’ And I’m proud to say it: Shirley Chisholm had guts.” —President Obama, 2015
Billie Jean King was an acclaimed professional tennis player in the 1960s and 1970s, and has helped champion gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all areas of public life. King beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, then the most viewed tennis match in history. When she courageously came out in 1981, she became one of the first openly lesbian major sports figures in America.
“We honor what she calls ‘all the off-the-court stuff’—what she did to broaden the reach of the game, to change how women athletes and women everywhere view themselves, and to give everyone — regardless of gender or sexual orientation—including my two daughters—a chance to compete both on the court and in life.” —President Obama, 2009
Maya Lin is a talented artist and designer who is known for her work in sculpture and landscape art. She designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and since then has pursued a celebrated career in both art and architecture.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has changed the way we think about monuments, but also about how we think about sacrifice, and patriotism, and ourselves. Maya has given us more than just places for remembering—she has created places for us to make new memories.” —President Obama, 2016