Agents of Change: Obama Awards Medals of Freedom

Agents of Change: Obama Awards Medals of Freedom

July 30, 2009

Agents of Change: Obama Awards Medals of Freedom

Today, President Obama announced that he will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 16 people, living and dead, "chosen for their work as agents of change." The honorees, well known figures in politics, theater, science, and beyond, "have blazed trails and broken down barriers."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has a recent controversial past. George W. Bush awarded the medal to three people within his administration who helped run the Iraq War, and also bestowed the honor on Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois, who authored an amendment banning public funding of abortions.

As for Obama's honorees, here are some of the highlights. Enjoy!

Source: Getty

1 / 11

by POPSUGAR Sex & Culture 5

Today, President Obama announced that he will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 16 people, living and dead, "chosen for their work as agents of change." The honorees, well known figures in politics, theater, science, and beyond, "have blazed trails and broken down barriers."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has a recent controversial past. George W. Bush awarded the medal to three people within his administration who helped run the Iraq War, and also bestowed the honor on Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois, who authored an amendment banning public funding of abortions.

As for Obama's honorees, here are some of the highlights. Enjoy!

1 / 11

by POPSUGAR Sex & Culture 5

Today, President Obama announced that he will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 16 people, living and dead, "chosen for their work as agents of change." The honorees, well known figures in politics, theater, science, and beyond, "have blazed trails and broken down barriers."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has a recent controversial past. George W. Bush awarded the medal to three people within his administration who helped run the Iraq War, and also bestowed the honor on Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois, who authored an amendment banning public funding of abortions.

As for Obama's honorees, here are some of the highlights. Enjoy!

‹ Back to Homepage

NOW

Click to watch POPSUGAR Live! now!

News Politics Culture Barack Obama Medal Of Freedom

5 Comments

prencesschris 3 years 42 weeks

this is great !

prencesschris 3 years 42 weeks

this is great !

mallorycurtis 3 years 42 weeks

sandra day o'connor really is one of the coolest ladies alive.

3 years 42 weeks

It is great hearing about these people. But it is easy when you have the money, the time and the power to do so. There are people that are struggling to keep afloat, that have worked hard all there lives, lived clean, lawful lives and never see any verbal, recognition, emotional, and even monetary rewards for it. Some of these people's job's are jobs that help other people, that form minds, that heal the bodies, that provide a clean place to live. These people pour all their energy into these jobs for the people they are trying to help and to provide a life for their own families with no energy left for anything else. Where is the recognition for these people? Somehow it is the overpriviledge that get these recognition.

cakeshinigami 3 years 42 weeks

I'm sick of being told who I should look up to.