Clarence B Jones was taken aback when he received a call from the White House informing him that President Joe Biden wanted to honour him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At 93 years old, Jones is being recognised for his activism during the Civil Rights Movement, where he provided legal counsel to Martin Luther King Jr and contributed to the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. This prestigious award is the nation’s highest civilian honour and is a testament to Jones’ lifelong dedication to social justice and equality.
Jones is one of 19 individuals from diverse backgrounds who will be honoured by President Biden for their exceptional contributions to American society. The recipients come from various fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, science, and religion. This group of honorees represents the best of American leadership, having made significant impacts in their respective fields through hard work, community building, and scientific innovation.
Among the politicians being honoured are former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, climate activist Al Gore, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Bloomberg and Gore both made significant impacts in environmental advocacy, with Bloomberg also running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Pelosi, as the first and only woman to hold the position of Speaker of the House, has been a trailblazer in American politics for decades.
Posthumous honoree Medgar Evers will be recognised for his courageous work in fighting segregation in Mississippi during the 1960s. Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman to win an Academy Award for best actress, will also be honoured for her groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Judy Shepard, who co-founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation after her son’s tragic death, will be recognised for her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Jones expressed gratitude and humility upon hearing the news of his impending recognition. Despite his age and health challenges, he is eager to fulfill any responsibilities the White House may assign to him. The other distinguished recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom include individuals such as Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest known for his work with gang-intervention and rehabilitation programs, and Phil Donahue, a renowned journalist and former daytime TV talk-show host.
President Biden previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 individuals in 2022, including gymnast Simone Biles, the late Senator John McCain, and gun-control advocate Gabby Giffords. Biden himself received the award from former President Barack Obama in 2017, shortly before the end of their administration. This tradition of honouring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to American society continues to showcase the best of American leadership and service.
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