The Presidental Medals of Freedom
A short story of recognition for many trailblazers in society who dared to step out of their comfort zone.
During a time of much worldwide unrest from mass shootings, rampant gun violence, Covid-19 new strains being infectious, police murdering civilians, politicians playing games with people’s lives for power, and the supreme court turning back the hands of time for women’s rights and other social groups to be affected down the road, the good news is welcomed.
Hearing that Biden recognized 17 top civilians with the Presidental Medals of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, from actors, athletes, tech titans, and some political activists was refreshingly needed.
The recipients were Simone Biles, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast and the youngest to receive this medal, Megan Rapinoe, soccer star and advocate for gender equality pay, the late and beloved John McCain, the Arizona Republican, Gabrielle Giffords, gun control advocate and founder of the Giffords Law Center, Sandra Lindsay, a Queens, N.Y nurse, the first recipient of the COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials, Sister Simone Campbell, a member of the Sister of Social Service and a Catholic social justice advocate, Julieta Garcia, the first Latina to become a college president and a former president of the University of Texas at Brownsville, Fred Gray, one of the first Black members of the Alabama Legislature after Reconstruction, a prominent civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks, the NAACP, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and, at age 91, continues to practice law, Steve Jobs, the late co-founder, Apple Inc., Father Alexander Karloutsos, the assistant to Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America who had counseled several U.S. presidents, Khizr Khan, an immigrant from Pakistan whose Army officer son was killed while saving others in Iraq and an outspoken critic against Donald Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Diane Nash, a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and a staunch supporter and associate of Dr. King Jr., Megan Rapinoe , the Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup soccer champion, the late Richard Trumka, president of the 12.5 million-member AFL-CIO, and former president of the United Mine Workers, Wilma Vaught, a decorated Airforce brigadier general who broke gender barriers in U.S. military history and one of seven female generals in the armed forces, Denzel Washington, a double Oscar-winning actor, director, producer and receipent of Tony award, two Golden Globes and recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievment Award, and Raúl Yzaguirre, a civil rights advocate, U.S. ambassador, former president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza.
These seventeen people are just a few that have received the highest civilian award under the Biden administration. Also, Biden as vice president received the same award from former President Barack Obama. Today, he pays it forward to make a difference in others’ lives and to encourage more activism on all levels nationwide.
Being an activist is rewarding in the doing whether it is for equal rights, social justice, equality, racism, civil rights, gender pay, or trailblazing the way, but when recognized with the highest civilian honor from the president of the United States seals the deal that the impact is noted.
The above 17 recipients of the Presidental Medal of Honor award lives have exemplified how they overcame significant and challenging obstacles while dedicating their lives to a specific cause not just for themselves but for humanity at large. Their reach is beyond their physical being worldwide and their outreach will far outlive each of them. Each of these recipients has one thing in common, “they dared to do and went against all odds.”
In conclusion, each of the recipient’s contributions has affected every life on this planet, directly and indirectly. Hopefully, their legacy will encourage others to step outside their comfort zone and make this world a better place for all.
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