It was the fiftieth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's establishment of the award and CNN mentioned that Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, was in the audience. This Friday, November 22nd, marks fifty years since JFK was assassinated.
After briefly recounting each recipient's lifetime achievements, the President personally made the presentation to each and every one of the sixteen winners, warmly congratulating them and fastening one of the gorgeous decorations around each proud neck.
Executive Order 11085 establishes the criteria for selection of the annual recipients:
"(a) The Medal may be awarded by the President as provided in this order to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1), the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Here's a list of the sixteen:
- Ernie Banks
- Ben Bradlee
- Bill Clinton
- Daniel Inouye (awarded posthumously)
- Daniel Kahneman
- Richard Lugar
- Loretta Lynn
- Mario Molina
- Sally Ride (awarded posthumously)
- Bayard Rustin (awarded posthumously)
- Arturo Sandoval
- Dean Smith
- Gloria Steinem
- Cordy Tindell, "C.T." Vivian
- Patricia Wald
- Oprah Winfrey
I'm sorry to say that I recognized less than half of them, but I was delighted to see all of them receive the award. Their faces were simply shining! Such amazing gifts they've given the world in such diverse areas as chemistry, economics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, law, the environment, public service, and world peace. It was very cool to see such icons as Gloria Steinem, Loretta Lynn, and Oprah Winfrey greeting the President and First Lady.
Several medals were awarded posthumously, and it was especially bittersweet to see Sally Ride's life partner, Tam O' Shaughnessy, accept the award on her behalf. Physics professor Dr. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space who became a role model for so many young women. She died of pancreatic cancer in 2012.
Reflecting upon the impressive accomplishments of so many authentic American legends, I could only agree wholeheartedly that they all deserved the award. I can't imagine having grown up without the trailblazing activism and eloquent, encouraging words of Gloria Steinem. Or the wonderful interviews and messages of inspiration Oprah has brought us. Or the inaugural speech full of hope for the future given by Bill Clinton.
One could simply not help being inspired by these people! Because of them, I went about my day a little happier, a little surer that I could carry on, and perhaps . . . just maybe, that I could make some small accomplishments of my own today and in the future--even if it might be just a few words added to my novel manuscript or a phrase or two in cyberspace.
Congratulations to all the recipients! Wear your decorations proudly, fellow Americans!
Here is the Jude Hayes, Remover of Obstacles excerpt for today:
“Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Roland Chatfield. Our hostesses for this delightful luncheon, the lovely Pierpont sisters, Amanda Josephine and Madeleine, have asked me to thank you all for coming to help celebrate the opening of our new state-of-the-art pediatric wing at Grand Valley Hospital, the Steven A. Westfield Children’s Clinic, named for A.J.’s late husband, and made possible by the extreme generosity of the Pierpont and Westfield families. Its humanitarian mission to help provide children with life-threatening illnesses the care their families otherwise would not be able to afford will lift up our entire community and make Grand Junction an even more wonderful place to live and raise our families.”
“As the Chief Administrator of Grand Valley Hospital I would like to thank the Pierponts and Westfields on behalf of our hospital staff and the entire community. May we please have a round of applause for our greathearted benefactors. A.J., Madeleine, and Peggy—would you ladies please stand up.”The Pierpont sisters and Peggy Westfield, whom I remembered was Steven’s younger sister and now matriarch of her own small dynasty, rose with dignity as the audience likewise got to its feet clapping enthusiastically. Madeleine and Peggy seemed vaguely embarrassed, but A.J. only seemed ecstatically happy—it was obvious that this project had meant a great deal to her, regardless of her other reason for throwing the party. Were she not firmly in grande dame character, I was sure I would have seen a tear escape her eye.
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