Ralph Lauren, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall among US Presidential Medal of Freedom awardees

Ralph Lauren, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall, Denzel Washington, and Bono are among 19 people set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in a ceremony taking place today (January 4) at the White House.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States’ highest civilian honor, presented to people who have made significant contributions to the “prosperity, values, or security” of the nation, furthered world peace, or other important and recognizable “societal, public, or private endeavors.”

Ralph Lauren is the first fashion designer to ever receive this honor, in recognition of his meritorious contributions as a designer, entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist. Among a portfolio of awards and global recognition, Lauren was made an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2019, the first American designer to receive this distinction. He is also recognized for his philanthropy and advocacy for cancer care.

Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic Presidential nominee, former Secretary of State under the Obama administration, U.S. senator for New York, and former First Lady, will also be honored.

Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace, is renowned for her work as an ethologist and 65 years of research with wild chimpanzees that has bolstered the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world in Gombe, Tanzania. The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), founded in 1977, remains a global, community-led conservation, research, advocacy, and youth empowerment organization.

Jane GoodallPhotographed by Norman Jean Roy, Vogue, August 2005

Denzel Washington will be recognized for his contributions to the arts and entertainment industry, as a celebrated American actor, director, and producer both on stage and on screen. This comes, too, just as Washington enters awards season—on the following evening, Washington is up for best supporting actor for his role in Gladiator II at the Golden Globes. His accolades include two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards, as well as Grammy and Emmy nominations. Washington was previously selected to receive the honor from President Biden in 2022—however, he was unable to attend after contracting COVID-19. President Biden honors his pledge to award Washington on a future date with this year’s proceedings.

Bono, the Irish U2 musician, philanthropist, activist, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will also be awarded by Biden. His advocacy work has focused on global poverty and HIV/AIDS work. He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his services to the British music industry and his humanitarian work, and was appointed a Commandeur of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) in 2013.

Hillary ClintonPhotographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, December 2009

Other recipients on the list of 19 honorees include soccer star Lionel Messi, basketball legend Magic Johnson, chef José Andrés, and Anna Wintour.

“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These 19 Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” said a statement from the White House.

A bit of history on the honor: President Harry S. Truman first created the award in 1945, as the ‘Medal of Freedom.’ The medal was renamed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to its current name: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It comes in two degrees, as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the most prestigious of the honors, Presidential Medal of Freedom “with distinction.” It is bestowed by the current sitting president.

A formal nomination and selection process for recipients doesn’t exist, but the President has power under an executive order to award the medal to “any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative.” Selections usually reflect a President’s interests, both political and personal—across politics, the arts, and activism, for example. Members of Congress can and have sent nomination suggestions.

The physical medal itself is a white star over a red pentagon, ringed by five golden eagles. At the star’s center is a blue circle with 13 gold stars.

Photo: Simon M Bruty (Getty Images)

Previous honorees are varied. Last year, President Biden awarded Michelle Yeoh for an expansive, four decades-long film career, recognizing her achievement as the first Asian person to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Other former recipients include Steven Spielberg, Muhammad Ali, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Athlete and activist Simone Biles remains the youngest person to ever receive this award at age 25 in 2022.

After this year’s awards, Biden will have honored 56 people, clocking in the most ever given during a single presidential term.

The ceremony will take place today at the White House, January 4, with more updates to come.