President Joe Biden has recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 eminent figures in a ceremony held at the White House. This award, the highest civilian honour in the United States, is conferred at the discretion of the president to individuals who have made significant contributions to national security, world peace, cultural pursuits, or other significant public or private endeavors.

Among those honored were former Vice President Al Gore, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, recognized for her achievement as the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. Other recipients included former Secretary of State John Kerry, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, civil rights advocates such as Judy Shepard and Clarence Jones, Ellen Ochoa—the first Hispanic woman in space—and the late Jim Thorpe, who was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal.

President Biden also paid tribute to Representative Jim Clyburn’s pivotal support during his presidential campaign. The ceremony, which also acknowledged the achievements of other notable figures like swimmer Katie Ledecky and civil rights leader Medgar Evers, underscored the diverse contributions that each honoree has made to bettering American society and promoting values of community and service.

This event continues the tradition of recognizing influential individuals who have led with enduring commitment to enhancing the prosperity and values of the nation, with past recipients including figures like Simone Biles, Denzel Washington, and Gabrielle Giffords.