Today, President Biden named nineteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom including Judy Shepard, Phil Donahue, Al Gore and more. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors. https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1786386552978919453 Among this year’s honorees is Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in one of the nation’s most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Following his death, she created the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which works to “replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.” 
President Biden with Judy Shepard (screen capture)
The diverse group of names from politics to activists and entertainment include Biden’s 2020 Democratic primary opponents and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Vice President Al Gore, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Jim Clyburn, Elizabeth Dole and recent Biden Climate Envoy and former Sec. of State John Kerry.
The “grandmother of Juneteenth,” Opal Lee, and Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was abducted and brutally killed in 1998 because he was gay, will also be honored.
Oscar award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, swimming legend Katie Ledecky, “the most decorated female swimmer in history,” and Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to go into space during a nine-day mission on the shuttle Discovery in 1993 will also be awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor.
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1786369026320392649 In the announcement, the White House said this year’s honorees “built teams, coalitions, movements, organizations, and businesses that shaped America for the better. They are the pinnacle of leadership in their fields. They consistently demonstrated over their careers the power of community, hard work, and service.” Judy Shepard issued this statement following the announcement:
“This unexpected honor has been very humbling for me, Dennis, and our family. What makes us proud is knowing our President and our nation share our lifelong commitment to making this world a safer, more loving, more respectful, and more peaceful place for everyone.”
“I am grateful to everyone whose love and support for our work through the years has sustained me.”
“If I had the power to change one thing, I can only dream of the example that Matt’s life and purpose would have shown, had he lived. This honor reminds the world that his life, and every life, is precious.”
Join us in congratulating Judy Shepard on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Judy, along with 18 others, will be presented with the award today during a ceremony at the White House.
Read more: https://t.co/i3I82fhQRJ pic.twitter.com/f2x1EPaYdy
— Matthew Shepard Foundation (@MattShepardFDN) May 3, 2024
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