The Amazing Citizens Who Received Medals Of Freedom!

Robert Redford

Robert Redford has many titles. Actor and producer are those most attached to his name but he is also an environmentalist and philanthropist. Oh yeah, he is the founder of the Sundance Film Festival. Many actors, directors, and producers got their big break thanks to that festival.

“His lifelong advocacy on behalf of preserving our environment will prove as an enduring legacy as his award-winning films, as will his pioneering support for independent filmmakers across America,” said Obama. Redford is an outstanding civilian and it was great for Obama to recognize him for all that he has done.

Ellen!

There is only a very small percentage of people in America who are not fond of the talk show host Ellen Degeneres. She comes into our life in the afternoons and brings forth high profile guests as they commence some sort of shenanigans for our liking. She is also one of the first high-profile celebrities to have come out publicly, and she did so during a time when it was actually detrimental to her career. She is is a hero, she is brave, and she is deserving of this honor.

“It’s easy to forget now, when we’ve come so far, where now marriage is equal under the law — just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago, said Obama. Somebody we liked so much, remind us that we have more in common than we realize, push our country in the direction of justice.”