Q: Would you list the 16 people who recently were given the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
— Jerome Felton, Sandy Springs
A: Former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey were among the 16 people who were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony on Nov. 20. The others:
- Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub," Hall of Fame baseball player
- Ben Bradlee, former executive editor of The Washington Post
- Daniel Kahneman, psychology scholar
- Richard Lugar, former Republican senator from Indiana
- Loretta Lynn, country music star
- Mario Molina, chemist and scientist
- Arturo Sandoval, jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer
- Dean Smith, former basketball coach at the University of North Carolina
- Gloria Steinem, writer and women's rights activist
- Cordy "C.T." Vivian, civil rights leader and minister
- Patricia Wald, federal judge
Posthumous recipients included:
- Daniel Inouye, Democratic senator from Hawaii and Medal of Honor recipient
- Sally Ride, first American woman to reach space
- Bayard Rustin, gay civil rights leader
Rustin died in 1987. Inouye and Ride died last year. “The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to WhiteHouse.gov. President John F. Kennedy established it 50 years ago. “More than 500 exceptional individuals from all corners of society” have received it, according to a White House release.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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