Cicely Tyson, Diana Ross & Other Black Women Who’ve Received Presidential Medals Of Freedom

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Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman’s parents raised her with education as a top priority. In fact, when her father died when Edelman was just 14-years-old, he said to her, “Don’t let anything get in the way of your education.”

Edelman took those words to heart graduating from both Spelman College. Afterward she joined the Civil Rights Movement. She was arrested for her activism and was subsequently inspired to study law. She would eventually graduate from Yale Law School, become the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, and start practicing law with the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Edelman’s career is illustrious. She helped to establish the Head Start program, founded a research firm dedicated to issues related to childhood development.

Later she would found the Children’s Defense Fund as a voice for poor children, children of color and children with disabilities.

And that’s the short list.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 by President Clinton.

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @VDubShrug.