By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2025-01-05 10:42:19 | Updated at 2025-01-07 04:32:05
1 day ago
Hillary Clinton has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom - America's highest civilian honour - from Joe Biden.
Announcing the decision, the White House said Clinton, 77, “made history many times over decades in public service,” including by being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election.
The former Democrat leader, who was defeated by Donald Trump in the 2016 election, received the award 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was given the honour by President Barack Obama.
She was joined by 18 other recipients, including actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington.
Announcing the decision, the White House said Clinton “made history many times over decades in public service,” including by being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election
Reuters
Oscar winner Denzel Washington was one of the 19 recipients
Reuters
Science educator Bill Nye, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., and businessman David Rubenstein rounded out the list of living recipients.
Posthumous medals were awarded to several prominent figures who made lasting impacts on American society.
The late Robert F. Kennedy, who served as senator and attorney general before his assassination in 1968, was among those honoured.
Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, received the award posthumously.
Actor Michael J. Fox is a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson's disease research and development
Reuters
Former Defense Secretary Ashton Baldwin Carter, who served under presidents of both parties, and former Michigan governor George Romney, father of former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, were also honoured posthumously.
The ceremony drew notable moments, with Biden telling recipients: "Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done.
"You all literally embodied the nation's creed: E pluribus unum, 'out of many, one.'"
This marks Biden's final presentation of the award, following ceremonies in 2022 and 2023 which honoured notable figures including Simone Biles and Michelle Yeoh.
