True to his message, Obama said he chose this year’s recipients based on their work as “agents of change.” President Harry Truman began the traditional to honor civilian service during World War II, and is considered to be the highest civilian award.
Awardees included the first black man to win an Academy Award for best actor Sidney Poitier, Puerto Rican-American Tony winner Chita Rivera, and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
In a photo-of-the-day moment, Obama struggled while putting the medal around Plains Indian Chief Joe Medicine Crow’s neck—Crow wore a fully adorned feathered headdress. He is the last living war chief of his tribe, a designation that carries the important task of preserving Native American culture.
One living awardee was not present to receive his medal: Edward Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer. His daughter Kara accepted the medal on his behalf.
Two posthumous honors were given to Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official who was assassinated in 1978; and U.S. congressman Jack Kemp, who was known for his advocacy of supply-side economics.
Other honorees included:
British physicist Stephen Hawking,
Breast cancer activist Nancy Goodman Brinker,
Anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu,
Miami physician Pedro José Greer Jr.,
First openly gay tennis pro Billie Jean King,
American civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery,
First female president of Ireland Mary Robinson,
Geneticist Janet Davison Rowley,
Bangledeshi banker Muhammad Yunus, who is known for giving micro-loans to the poor.
