Actor Michael J Fox and fashion designer Ralph Lauren would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Actor Michael J Fox and well-known fashion designer Ralph Lauren are two of the individuals who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. According to CNN, President Joe Biden will honor the notable figures on Saturday.
Ralph Lauren’s Statement
Ralph Lauren’s team expressed their happiness on Instagram with a statement after learning about the honor.
“The highest civilian award in the country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be given to Mr. Ralph Lauren today. President Biden will present this award to Mr. Lauren, the first fashion designer to receive it, during a ceremony in Washington, DC, honoring his more than 60 years of contributions to American fashion, culture, and society. As an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, France’s Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, and the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal are just a few of the distinguished honors that Mr. Lauren has received throughout his career,” the post stated.
According to a White House statement, the medal is given to those “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” “President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House said in the statement.
Washington was supposed to be one of those honored in 2022, but after testing positive for COVID-19, he was forced to miss the celebration. At the State of the Union address last year, musician and humanitarian Bono joined Jill Biden in her box. He was honored for his efforts to combat AIDS and garner support for PEPFAR, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which marked its 20th anniversary last year. Among those honored in the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony were Bono and his fellow members of the U2 band.
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor—it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better. From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way.”
— President Obama
“America is a better place because of these 19 outstanding leaders. They are excellent leaders because they are decent individuals who have significantly impacted both their nation and the world. Lauren is said to be the first fashion designer to ever be honored. Along with Messi and former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Denzel Washington is also scheduled to receive recognition.
Medal of Freedom Recipients
At his farewell ceremony on Saturday, President Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian award, to a wide range of public personalities, celebrities, and cultural luminaries, including a number of well-known figures.
Among the 18 awardees were some of the most well-known Democratic Party leaders and supporters, including Robert F. Kennedy, who received the distinction posthumously, Hillary Clinton, and investor and significant Democratic fundraiser George Soros.
Mr. Biden’s list also featured well-known personalities from the entertainment, fashion, sports, and movie industries. Each of the honorees is shown below.
Jose Andres
In addition to his notoriety as a celebrity chef, Mr. Andrés’s humanitarian efforts during the Biden administration gained significant attention because his humanitarian organization, World Central Kitchen, took on a risky role in delivering food to Gaza after the conflict uprooted most of its 2.2 million inhabitants. Israeli bombings murdered seven World Central Kitchen employees last year while they were working in Gaza, highlighting the hazards humanitarian workers face and the possibility of famine during the conflict.
Bono
Throughout his presidency, Mr. Biden has maintained a close bond with the Irish singer-songwriter, whose band, U2, the president has referred to as a “bridge between Ireland and America.” At the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors, Mr. Biden personally introduced the band, and at his 2023 State of the Union speech, he hosted Bono.
Ashton B Carter (posthumous)
A Rhodes scholar and physicist by training, Mr. Carter was President Barack Obama’s defense secretary. After a long career at the Pentagon, he took over the position and utilized his position as defense secretary to increase the number of women and transgender service members who may join the military. In 2022, he passed away at age 68.
Hillary Clinton
Mrs. Clinton, a former New York senator and first lady, was Mr. Obama’s secretary of state and a rival for the Democratic nomination in 2008. In 2016, she made another run for the presidency and received the party’s nomination, but Donald J. Trump defeated her in the general election.
Michael J Fox
Mr. Michael J Fox is well-known for his parts in the sitcom “Family Ties” from the 1980s and the movie “Back to the Future.” At age 29, he received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis .Through his organisation he has emerged as a prominent voice for the disease’s research.
Tim Gill
After starting Quark, a tech business that created innovative layout and design software during the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Gill sold his share to focus on advocacy and charitable work for L.G.B.T.Q. rights. His organization has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on campaigns to change laws on topics like bullying in schools and marriage equality.
Jane Goodall
This year marks the 90th birthday of the scientist and activist, who is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to the study of human evolution and primates.
Fannie Lou Hamer (Posthumous)
Born into sharecropping during the Jim Crow era, Ms. Hamer, a civil rights leader and co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, battled for equal participation in politics. In 1977, she passed away at age 60.
Earvin Johnson
Mr. Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and basketball great known as Magic, gained notoriety off the court after disclosing his HIV diagnosis in the early 1990s and assisting in the de-stigmatization of living with the virus. Additionally, while stumping for Mr. Biden in Michigan during his presidential campaign, he was a staunch supporter of the candidate.
Robert F Kennedy (posthumous)
Prior to his killing in 1968, Robert F. Kennedy had a distinguished career in Democratic politics as the U.S. attorney general and a senator. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his son, has sided with President-elect Donald J. Trump and the G.O.P. Trump has appointed him as his health secretary.
Ralph Lauren
The 85-year-old is the first fashion designer to be awarded the Medal of Freedom, and Jill Biden has praised her designs during her tenure as first lady.
Bill Nye
Having been ingrained in the minds of millions of kids as the host of “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” Mr. Nye reappeared as a well-liked figure on TikTok and a supporter of science and climate policy after the show concluded in 1999.
George W. Romney (posthumous)
Mr. Romney, a Republican, was the housing secretary for President Richard M. Nixon and a three-term governor of Michigan. He was also the former chairman of the American Motors Corporation. He adopted a variety of progressive policy positions while serving as governor, such as opposing the Vietnam War and promoting civil rights programs. 1995 saw his death at the age of 88.
David M Rubenstein
The Carlyle Group’s millionaire co-founder has contributed to the construction of several of Washington’s most famous landmarks, including as the National Zoo and the Washington Monument.
George Soros
Mr. Soros, a staunch backer of liberal causes and Mr. Biden’s buddy, is one of several well-known Democrats who have received the honor under Mr. Biden’s administration. Mr. Soros is a Democratic megadonor and billionaire who has become a divisive figure in American politics, frequently demonized by right pundits.
George Stevens Jr
In addition to being a producer and director, Mr. Stevens founded the Kennedy Center Honors and the American Film Institute. He has written and produced a play about Thurgood Marshall’s life as well as the 1998 movie “The Thin Red Line.” His efforts outside of theater and cinema have been directed toward conserving the legacy of American filmmaking.
Denzel Washington
Mr. Washington, a well-known actor and the national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 30 years, was chosen by Mr. Biden to receive the award in 2022 but was unable to attend upon learning that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Anna Wintour
From 1988 to now, Ms. Wintour has served as Vogue’s editor in chief. She has also co-chaired the annual Met Gala and is a prominent fund-raiser in the heart of Democratic celebrity circles.
Lionel Messi
Due to a schedule conflict, the Argentine soccer player, who was initially on the list, was unable to accept the award on Saturday.
Also Read:
- UI Movie Review – Upendra’s Sci-fi a ‘wildfire movie’
- Former Haryana CM – Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away at 89
Shubhangi Gupta is a distinguished content writer and the visionary founder of The Unpleasant – Acha Nahi Sabse Sacha. With a Master’s degree in Commerce from University of Lucknow, Shubhangi has seamlessly blended her academic background with her passion for reading and writing, embarking on a successful career as a content writer since 2019.
