Clinton-era Secretary of State Madeline Albright, ex-Israeli President Shimon Peres, former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, astronaut John Glenn and musician Bob Dylan will be among the recipients of this years Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Thursday afternoon.
“These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation,” Obama said in a statement. “They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognizing them with this award.”
Other recipients include:
Civil rights figures Dolores Huerta and John Doar
Anti-smallpox crusader William Foege
Author Toni Morrison
Gordon Hirabayashi, who actively resisted Japanese internment.
Basketball Coach Pat Summitt
Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low
Jan Karski- WWII Era Polish Underground Officer
The living recipients will be honored at the White House this Spring. The medal, first presented in 1963, is the highest level award the President can grant a citizen.
