Biden reveals recipients of Presidential Medal of Freedom: Michael Bloomberg, Al Gore, and Michelle Yeoh

President Joe Biden will be awarding the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom to former vice president Al Gore, ex-New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh at a White House ceremony on Friday. This honor is America’s highest civilian award and is given at the discretion of the President to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States.

In addition to Gore, Bloomberg, and Yeoh, 17 other new recipients will be honored, including US Olympian Katie Ledecky, Olympic legend Jim Thorpe, civil rights advocates Judy Shepard and Clarence Jones, and activist Opal Lee. The late civil rights leader Medgar Evers will also receive the award posthumously.

President Biden himself is a recipient of the Medal of Freedom With Distinction, a rare version of the award that is worn as a star on the left chest along with a sash. The White House stated that the honorees being recognized have “built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better” and are considered the pinnacle of leadership in their fields.

The ceremony will also include the honoring of presidential climate envoy John Kerry, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, former North Carolina senator Elizabeth Dole, and the late New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg. The White House emphasized that these individuals have consistently demonstrated the power of community, hard work, and service throughout their careers.