US President Joe Biden has announced the names of 19 individuals who will receive the country’s highest civilian honor, the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. Award recipients include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, soccer superstar Lionel Messi and the late former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other notable endeavors.
According to the White House, Biden believes that great leaders maintain trust, give everyone a fair chance and put decency above all else and that these nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place.
Hillary Clinton, who made history as the first first lady elected to the US Senate, will receive the award for her decades of public service. Clinton later became the first woman nominated for president by a major American political party.
Investor and philanthropist George Soros will also receive an award. Through his network of foundations, partners, and projects in more than 120 countries, Soros focuses on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice. However, Soros has been a vocal critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his criticism has sparked controversy in the past.
Football superstar Lionel Messi, the most decorated player in professional football history, will receive the award for his outstanding contribution to the game. Messi supports health care and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
The awards ceremony will take place at the White House, where President Biden will present medals to the award winners. Other notable recipients of the award include civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer; Robert Francis Kennedy, who served as Attorney General and U.S. Senator; and José Andrés, a renowned chef and culinary innovator.
The list of award winners also includes U2 frontman and AIDS and poverty activist Bono; Michael J. Fox, actor and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research; Jane Goodall, moralist and conservationist; and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, retired basketball player and entrepreneur.
Science teacher and communicator William Sanford Nye will receive the award for his work in inspiring and influencing generations of American students. David M. Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group and philanthropist, will be recognized for his generous support of the restoration of historic sites and the nation’s cultural institutions.
Other award winners include George Stevens, Jr., award-winning writer, director and playwright; Denzel Washington, actor, director and producer; and Anna Wintour, fashion icon and editor-in-chief of Vogue.
