President Obama will present Oprah Winfrey with nation’s highest civilian honor this year.
According to the White House, the media mogul will be among 16 recipients to receive the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
The honor, which President John F. Kennedy established 50 years ago, is “presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
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Oprah Winfrey is one of the world’s most successful broadcast journalists. She is best known for creating The Oprah Winfrey Show, which became the highest rated talk show in America for 25 years. Ms. Winfrey has long been active in philanthropic causes and expanding opportunities for young women. She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2002 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010.
Other honorees include 42nd President of the United States Bill Clinton, civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, baseball player Ernie Banks, minister Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian and newsmen Ben Bradlee among others.
President Obama said it will be an honor to “present them with a token of our nation’s gratitude.”
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom goes to men and women who have dedicated their own lives to enriching ours,” he said. “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.”
A date for this year’s ceremony has yet to be announced.
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