President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — to a diverse and distinguished group of activists, artists, scientists and public servants Monday afternoon, including actress Meryl Streep, Congressman John D. Dingell, physicist Mildred Dresselhaus and musician Stevie Wonder.
The president paid tribute to each of the 18 recipients before awarding the medals. These are given annually to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States,” according to the White House.
The recipients “have made American stronger, wiser, more humane, more beautiful,” Obama said. “Not only have they made our world better, but by following their example, they make us a better.”
Obama turned into Fanboy in Chief during his remarks about Streep and Wonder, who were honored for their cultural contributions along with actress Marlo Thomas, writer Isabel Allende and broadcaster and author Tom Brokaw.
“I’ve said it publicly. I love Meryl Streep. I love her. Her husband knows I love her, Michelle knows I love her,” Obama said, nodding to his wife. “There’s nothing either of them can do about it.”
Obama said Wonder’s classic album, “Talking Book,” was the first record he bought with his own money.
“For more than 50 years, Stevie has channeled his inner visions into messages of hope and healing, becoming one of the most influential musicians in American history,” Obama said.
Six people received the honor posthumously, including dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey; Edward Roybal, the Democrat from California was the founder of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and Patsy Takemoto Mink, D-Hawaii, the first woman of color elected to Congress and co-author of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were killed during the “Freedom Summer” voter registration drive in 1964, received the loudest and longest applause when their family members accepted their medals.
Several others were recognized for their work on behalf of gender and racial equality, including Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress. The Democrat has represented Michigan since 1955 and is staunch supporter of civil rights, health-care and environmental causes.
“For more than half a century, in every single Congress, John introduced a bill calling for comprehensive health care,” the president said. “That is, until he didn’t have to do it any more.”
Professional golfer Charles Sifford was recognized for his work to desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association, and writer and curator Suzan Harjo was honored for her advocacy on behalf of Native Americans, including a more than 20-year campaign to change the name of the Washington football team.
“It just feels wonderful, and it’s not something I’m used to,” Harjo said before the ceremony. “Usually when there’s some sort of spotlight on me, it’s bad. Someone is going to be nasty about me in public.”
A citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Harjo launched the first legal effort to have the team’s trademarked name nullfied as disparaging.
“We started the case 22 years ago, and it’s been 22 years that they have not returned to the Super Bowl. That’s an extraordinary coincidence,” Harjo said. “It’s karma.”
Others honored included Ethel Kennedy, who founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in memory of her husband; Abner Mikva, a former congressman, judge and White House counsel; and economist Robert Solow. Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who was named as a recipient two weeks ago but was not in attendance Monday, will receive his medal next year, Obama said.
President John F. Kennedy established the Medal of Freedom in 1963, and since then, more than 500 artists, scientists, activists and public servants have been honored.
Richard Leiby contributed to this report.