Denzel Washington and Simone Biles will soon have another award for their shelves.
The two-time Oscar and Tony winner and the four-time Olympic gold medalist are among the 17 individuals chosen this year to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The White House announced this year’s honorees on Friday. The medals will be awarded at a White House ceremony on Thursday, July 7.
This year’s other winners include soccer star and equal pay advocate Megan Rapinoe. Posthumous honorees include Sen. John McCain, the late AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Incidentally, President Joe Biden is the first president to award the medals after already receiving one himself. Former President Barack Obama presented the medal to Biden in 2017, who was then serving as vice president.
Other honorees include civil rights advocate and former U.S. Ambassador Raúl Yzaguirre, civil rights attorney Fred Gray and Sandra Lindsay, a nurse who became the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“These 17 Americans demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody the soul of the nation — hard work, perseverance and faith,” the White House said.
“They have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities — and across the world — while blazing trails for generations to come.”
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
New Music Friday: The Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo and more
April 26, 2024
It's New Music Friday, and The Chainsmokers are taking it literally. They've just released a new…
Ryan Gosling sings again in new ‘Fall Guy’ stuntman tribute
April 26, 2024
Disney/Scott KirklandRyan Gosling apparently hasn't let his pipes cool down since his "I'm Just…
Jelly Roll says he left social media for more reasons than “bullying”
April 26, 2024
Disney/Eric McCandlessIn the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie…
Lori Loughlin gives first interview following college admissions scandal
April 26, 2024
Loughlin on 'Curb' -- HBO/John JohnsonWhile she didn't mention the college admission scandal that…
Teddy Swims releases four surprise tracks on ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)’
April 26, 2024
Warner RecordsFour surprise bonus tracks from Teddy Swims’ new album, I’ve Tried Everything But…
Reality Roundup: Lisa Vanderpump claps back, ‘Little People, Big World’ couple exits and more
April 26, 2024
Have no fear, your reality roundup is here! Here's a look at what happened in the world of reality…
“Smiles” for miles: Jeremy Renner posts video after a run
April 26, 2024
Disney+Less than a year and a half after being nearly crushed to death by a 7-ton snowplow, Jeremy…
Fantasia Barrino would love to replace Katy Perry as ‘American Idol’ judge
April 26, 2024
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty ImagesFantasia Barrino says she’d love to replace Katy Perry as a judge…