Posted by | Ray Cornelius
A big round of applause goes to media mogul and Butler actress Oprah Winfrey for being chosen as one of 16 individuals to receive this year’s Presidential Medal of Freedom. The list of who’s who recipients was officially announced today.
Winfrey is featured among some major heavyweights including former President Bill Clinton, Civil Rights pioneer and minister C.T. Vivian, former baseball player Ernie Banks, and Bayard Rustin, civil and gay rights icon who served as one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s advisors. Rustin was also the chief organizer for the famous 1963 March on Washington. He will be awarded posthumously.
“This year’s honorees have been blessed with extraordinary talent, but what sets them apart is their gift for sharing that talent with the world,” President Obama said in a statement.
The medal is the highest honor the U.S. bestows to citizens and this year’s recipients will be individuals who have contributed to American cultural, security and public interests.
Click here to see the full list of honorees.
