The Presidential Medal of Freedom stands as the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States, recognizing individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the nation’s values, security, and prosperity. While the award has been presented to many exceptional figures throughout history, only a small number of Black women have been among its recipients. These women have shattered barriers in their respective fields and have made indelible marks on American society and the world. From the arts and civil rights to politics and activism, the Black women who have received this prestigious award embody the resilience, talent, and courage that have shaped the course of history.
On January 4, 2025, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people across politics, culture and the arts. Awarded posthumously, Fannie Lou Hamer was the only Black woman recipient of the award on Saturday.
Barack Obama once said, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor — it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better.”
After watching The Six Triple Eight on Netflix, I thought about the various ways in which Black women have made immense contributions to our country. It also became clear just how profound and far-reaching Black women’s impact has been across various fields — often in ways that we will never fully understand or recognize. The achievements of many Black women throughout history were overlooked or erased, and countless others contributed in ways that history has yet to acknowledge. These contributions took place behind closed doors, in communities, or in the face of adversity, where their work was either minimized or overshadowed by the challenges they faced.
So, the fact that the Presidential Medal of Freedom has only been awarded to a small number of Black women is not surprising to me.
The contributions that are known serve as powerful reminders of the brilliance of Black women, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. For every historical figure we know by name, there are countless others whose stories remain hidden or forgotten. The impact of these women cannot be measured just by public recognition, but by the transformative work they did within their communities, shaping a nation that, at times, actively worked against them.
Classical contralto Marian Anderson was one of the first Black people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 from President Lyndon B. Johnson. Less than a decade earlier in 1955, she broke the racial barrier in opera for people of color by performing at the Metropolitan Opera. Anderson made many concert appearances in the United States, but racial prejudice prevented her career from gaining the momentum it deserved. Her stature did not completely end the prejudice she confronted. She was still denied rooms in certain hotels and was not allowed to eat in certain restaurants. Because of this discrimination, Albert Einstein hosted Anderson on many occasions, the first in 1937 when she was denied a hotel before performing at Princeton University.
Another opera legend, Leontyne Price was widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Marian Anderson opened the door for her to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in 1961. Price was known for her powerful and beautiful voice, and became a symbol of excellence and achievement for Black artists. Leontyne Price received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 from President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Lena Frances Edwards, MD, was a prominent physician for New Jersey City’s working-class poor for nearly thirty years. She was influenced by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Edwards graduated from Howard University in 1921 and Howard University Medical School in 1924. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson also recognized her humanitarian work with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Rosa Parks was awarded the honor in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. Parks is mostly known for her courageous act on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. Parks’ decision to stand up (by staying seated) in the face of racial injustice became a symbol of resistance against segregation and discrimination.
What I find most interesting about Rosa Parks, especially in this current climate, is the fact that she was a part of a Black militant group in 1968 and refused to endorse any presidential candidate. She attended the 1968 Black Power conference in Philadelphia, and the 1972 Black Political Convention. She was, indeed, a radical.
President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Maya Angelou in 2010. A renowned poet, author, and activist, Angelou was honored for her impactful literary works, including her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Also, he honored Oprah Winfrey in 2013 for her profound 25-year impact on television, publishing, and societal issues, especially with her philanthropic work and advocacy for education.
President Obama awarded Shirley Chisholm, posthumously in 2016, for making history as the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968 and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1972. Chisholm was a trailblazer for women and people of color in politics. Also in 2016, Diana Ross received the award by President Obama. Her iconic career has spanned over 50 years within music, film, television, theater, and fashion. Diana Ross is an Academy Award nominee, inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Grammy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cicely Tyson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2021 by President Joe Biden. The legendary actress broke barriers in Hollywood with her portrayals of strong Black women. She became a pioneer for Black actresses and used her platform to advocate for social change and representation.
Other Black women who’ve received the honor are Ella Fitzgerald (1992), Aretha Franklin (2005), Toni Morrison (2012), Katherine Johnson (2015), Simone Biles (2022), Sandra Lindsey (2022), Dr. Diane Nash (2022), and Opal Lee (2024).
It is necessary for us to acknowledge not only the visible, celebrated contributions of Black women but also the countless unnamed and uncelebrated ways in which they have shaped the history and culture of this country. These hidden histories are as valuable as the more well-known ones, reminding us that the legacy of Black women in America is not just a series of firsts or representation by a few, but a tapestry of everyday acts of strength, resilience, and creativity that have shaped the course of history.
