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Earlier this week, The White House released the list of people, Barack Obama would award with the Presidential Medal of Freedom before he leaves office. As you may know, the Medal of Freedom is given to those who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” It is the highest honor a civilian can receive in the United States. On this year’s list, there were quite a few familiar and beloved people like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Jordan and Ellen DeGeneres, to name a few. There was also, veteran actress and arts advocate Cicely Tyson and Motown singer Miss Ross, the Boss. Seeing Ross and Tyson’s names made us wonder just how many Black women have been fortunate to receive this award since it was first given in 1963.
Diana Ross
President Obama will present the medal to Diana Ross at the White House on November 22nd for her contribution to the arts. Ross is an Academy Award nominee and she received the Grammy’s highest honor the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was at the White House in 2007 when she was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
