The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, awarded by the President of the United States. It is “presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” Traditionally, it has been awarded annually (TheWhiteHouse)..
On January 4th, Joe Biden awarded 19 recipients this prestigious award, recognizing a variety of well-known activists across politics, culture, and medicine, including former Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her decades of dedication to public service. Other recipients include the following: José Andrés, Bono, Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous), Michael J. Fox, Tim Gill, Jane Goodall, Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous), Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous), Ralph Lauren, Lionel Messi, William Sanford Nye, George W. Romney (posthumous, David M. Rubenstein, George Soros, George Stevens, Jr., Denzel Washington, and Anna Wintour (CNN). This year, Biden awarded a very special Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis, the “highest civilian award given by the president, saying the pontiff was ‘a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world’” (AP News). This is the only time Biden has presented the honor with distinction during his presidency. Biden himself was a recipient of this award, bestowed upon him by President Barack Obama eight years ago.
Mr. Vander Molen, the AP Government and Politics teacher at Ramapo, shared that the tradition of awarding the Medal of Freedom began with John F. Kennedy’s Administration in 1963. When asked how this year’s recipients reflect the current trends in American society, he commented, “Joe Biden’s recent awards really have continued on the same path of his predecessors. However, I do think Biden’s awards highlight some of his efforts and priorities during his presidency. For instance, honoring Jane Goodall aligns with increased awareness of environmental issues, while recognizing Michael J. Fox highlights advocacy for medical research and disability awareness. The inclusion of international figures like Bono for his humanitarian work and Lionel Messi (which I thought was a significant stretch) signifies the global interconnectedness that characterizes modern American society.” Rampage’s News Editor and an avid participant in politics, Emma Ufakacar, offered her own opinion on Biden’s choices: “I think this year’s recipients were overall really good choices. I especially appreciate how Hillary Clinton was awarded, considering they share common ground as recent Democratic Presidential nominees.”
This prestigious ceremony took place on January 4th in the White House, and was broadcast nationwide. The 2025 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients exemplify the spirit of resilience, innovation, and service that continues to shape America. Through their groundbreaking contributions in areas ranging from civil rights to the arts, they have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. As President Biden’s ceremony demonstrated, their legacies will inspire future generations to carry forward the ideals of equity, progress, and activism.
