Honoring our Nation’s Changemakers

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates poses with a computer running the Windows 98 operating system, San Francisco, CA, 1998. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma. 

Margaret Hamilton standing beside listings of the software developed by her and her team for the Apollo program's Lunar Module and Command Module, 1969. MIT Museum.

Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Opens in a new tab) , 2009. Dean Calma/IAEA.

Astronaut Sally Ride, 1984. NASA.

Geneticist Janet Rowley in her laboratory at the University of Chicago, 1984. The Chicago Maroon.

Architect Frank Gehry sits in front of a model of The Guggenheim Museum, 2014. AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere.

A photograph of Dr. Tom Little, an optometrist, taken from a hike in Kabul, Afghanistan. Wikimedia.

Nobel economics prize laureate Robert Solow speaks during at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., 2011. Imago/Alamy Stock Photo.

John H. Glenn Jr., Astronaut, Marine Corps fighter pilot, and United States Senator, 1998, NASA.

Newton Minow, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., 1961. AP.

Dr. Mario Molina in his laboratory at MIT, 2000. MIT Museum

Melinda Gates, Co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2014. Chatham House.

Daniel Kahneman, Behavioral Psychologist, at Princeton University. Denise Applewhite/Princeton University.

Dr. Stephen Hawking, Physicist, at Cambridge University,1988. Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo.

John H. Adams receiving the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Grace M. Hopper, United States Navy Rear Admiral and computer scientist, 1984. United States Navy.

Physicist Richard L. Garwin, 1968. AP.

Mathematician Katherine G. Johnson at Work Langley,1980. NASA.

Dr. William H. Foege, epidemiologist (Opens in a new tab) , 2006. AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey.

Physicist Mildred Dresselhaus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. Micheline Pelletier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Dr. Pedro José Greer Jr., 1999. University of Miami Libraries, Cuban Heritage Collection.

Chemist Mario Molina, 1999.Louis Monier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

Mario Molina and Frank Sherwood Rowland shown in their laboratory at the University of California at Irvine, 1976. AP Photo.

Interview with Mario Molina on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library. 

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom award to honoree Mario Molina during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Tennis player Billie Jean King on the court at Wimbledon,1971. © KEYSTONE Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS/Alamy. 

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Billie Jean King during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with Billie Jean King on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Billie Jean King playing in the Wimbledon Championships, 1978. Leo Mason/Popperfoto via Getty Images.

Billie Jean King playing Julie Heldman in the third round of the U.S. Open - Women's Singles,1973. Getty Images.

John Lewis, chairman of SNCC, rises to address the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Washington, D.C., 1063. © Bob Adelman Estate.

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to John Lewis during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with Congressman John Lewis on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Yo-Yo Ma during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood, Lenox, MA, 1986. Brownie Harris/Getty Images.

Interview with Cellist and U.N. Messenger of Peace Yo-Yo Ma on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, 2002. Brill/ullstein bild via Getty Images.

Ben Bradlee, former Executive Editor of The Washington Post, 2012. Getty Images.

Ernie Banks, baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, 1970. AP.

Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers television play-by-play announcer, 2002. AP Photo/Paul Connors.

Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt cheers during the championship game of the SEC Women's tournament in Chattanooga, TN, 1999. AP Photo/Mark Humphrey.

Dr. Eduardo Padrón at Miami Dade College, 2010. AP Photo/J. Pat Carter.

Stan Musial, outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, 1943. AP Photo/Edward Kitch.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, 2006. The Supreme Court of the United States.

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and U.H. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Regina Kühne, Wikimedia Commons.

Maya Ying Lin, artist, holding her final design for the Vietnam War Memorial, 1981. UPI/Getty Images.

North Carolina Tar Heels coach Dean Smith, 1983. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma.

Golfer Charles Sifford,1967. AP Photo/Bob Scott.

Journalist Tom Brokaw appears on his first day as host of NBC's "Today," New York City, NY, 1976. AP Photo.

Chilean writer Isabel Allende, 2010. AP Photo/Peter Morgan.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar (then, Lew Alcindor) shown in an early publicity still for the Milwaukee Bucks. RLFE Pi /Alamy Stock Photo.

Outfielder Willie Mays, of the San Francisco Giants, 1968. AP Photo.

Bill Russell, of the Boston Celtics grabs the rebound against the New York Knicks, 1966. Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images.

Catcher for the New York Yankees Yogi Berra, 1957. AP Photo.

Michael Jordan, basketball player for the Chicago Bulls, 1984. Tom Berg/Wireimage/Getty Images.

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm speaks at the Democratic National Convention, Miami Beach, FL,1972. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Indiana politician William D. Ruckelshaus, 2010. National Archives.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pat Summitt during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt,talks with Candace Parker during their college basketball game against Stanford, 2006. AP Photo/Wade Payne.

Interview with Pat Summitt on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt on the occasion of her 800th career win, 2003. AP Photo/Wade Payne.

Singer Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio Estefan, 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Emilio Estefan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with Emilio Estefan on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Emilio Estefan Jr. and Gloria Estefan perform during the 18th annual Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love Gala,” 2014. Getty Images.

SCLC Leader Joseph Lowery, 1985. Flip Schulke/Getty Images.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Joseph Lowery during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with Joseph Lowery on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Dr. Joseph Lowery, President Southern Christian Leadership Conference,1988. AP Photo/Barry Thumma.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Katherine G. Johnson during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Katherine Johnson, 1980 NASA.

An interview with Katherine Johnson discussing her career and her reaction to the dedication of the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility, 2017. NASA.

Katherine G. Johnson working at the Langley Research Center, 1962. NASA.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 2013. Alexander Kurz, Wikimedia Commons.

Congressman John Lewis in his office, Washington, D.C., 2009. Getty Images.

Sylvia Mendez, Civil Rights activist, 2014. Bob Nichols/U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Jean Kennedy Smith, 1965. Getty Images.

Representative Edward Roybal, 2011. Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison reads at the Lincoln Center's Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert, 2005. AP Photo/Jeff Christensen.

U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar, 2010. U.S. Senate.

Representative Jack Kemp of New York addresses the Republican National Convention, 1988. AP Photo/Scott Stewart.

Representative Patsy Mink, ca. 1965. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Representative Lee Hamilton makes comments on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. , 1986. AP Photo/Dennis Cook.

Senator Edward Kennedy, 209. U.S. Senate.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, 1993. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Shimon Peres, former prime minister of Israel, 1996. Government Press Office of Israel.

U.S. President Bill Clinton, 2012. National Archives, William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum. 

U.S. President George H.W. Bush, ca. 1984. National Archives, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum.

Judge Patricia Waldl in The Hague, 2000. AP Photo/Peter Dejong.

Joe Biden, then U.S. Vice President, speaking at Georgetown Law, 2016. National Archives.

Suzan Shown-Harjo, President of the Morning Star Institute, at the National Museum of the American Indian, 2005. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta.

Representative John David Dingell, 1991. Maureen Keating/CQ Roll Call via AP Images.

Senator Barbara Mikulski during a Senate legislative appropriations hearing, 1995. Laura Patterson/CQ Roll Call via AP Images.

CIA Director Robert Gates, 1992. AP Photo/John Duricka.

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Kara Kennedy, on behalf of her father, Senator Ted Kennedy, 2009. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy seated in front of a bar graph during the presentation of a national health care plane, 1979. UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images.

Interview with Senator Ted Kennedy, 2009. Hachette Book Group.

Ted Kennedy speaks with members of the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, 1972. Steven Clevenger/Corbis via Getty Images.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Itzhak Perlman during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Itzhak Perlman, at 14, performs on the Ed Sullivan Show, 1958. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Interview with Itzhak Perlman on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Israeli violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman conducts the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, 2001. Dan Porges/Getty Images.

Dolores Huerta during the Delano grape strike, 1965. Harvey Richards Media Archive.

Dolores Huerta speaks to United Farm Workers (UFW) Union members and supporters during an open-air meeting, 1970s. Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University.

Interview with Dolores Huerta on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dolores Huerta during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2012. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Representative Abner J. Mikva on a phone call in his Washington, D.C., office, 1979. AP Photo/John Duricka.

Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco, CA, 1978. John O'Hara/San Francisco Chronicle via AP.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney talks about "Challenges Facing Working Families Under a Bush Administration,” 2001. AP Photo/Michael DiBari Jr.

Juliette Gordon Low, 1923. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Dolores Huerta, United Farmer Worker leader, 1989. Michael Maloney/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images.

South African Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu making speech in Los Angeles, CA, 1986. Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection, UCLA Library Special Collections.

Sandra Day O'Connor, 2005. The Supreme Court of the United States.

Jan Karski, ca.1988. © 2025 Gay Block.

Attorney Minoru Yasui at Topaz detainment camp, where he was detained during WW II, 1983. Getty Images.

Ethel Kennedy, ca. 1968. National Archives, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.

Activist Gloria Steinem speaking at the U.N., 1978. Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo.

Reverend Joseph E. Lowery speaking from the pulpit of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA, 1986. Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center.

SCLC Board Members C.T. Vivian at the Jobs and Peace Rally, 1983 The Joseph Echols and Evelyn Gibson Lowery Collection, Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library.

Bayard Rustin, leader of the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” poses in front of the National Headquarters, New York City, NY, 1963. AP Photo/Eddie Adams.

Elouise Cobell looks on during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing, 2009. AP Photo/Evan Vucci.

Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of TAPS, 2012. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin.

Civil Rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Cheney, and Andrew Goodman, who disappeared in Mississippi,1964. AP Photo/FBI.

Billy Frank Jr., Chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, 2012. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren.

Gerda Weissman Klein, 2012. © Alan Alabastro.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Gloria Steinem, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Gloria Steinem and Mary Chung march in the "Fight the Right" march in San Francisco CA, 1996. AP Photo/Susan Ragan.

Interview with Gloria Steinem on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Gloria Steinem holds a picket sign as she marches with striking telephone operators, 1982. AP Photo/Paul Benoit.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Bill Russell, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during a game at Boston Garden, 1956. Robert Riger/Getty Images.

Interview with Bill Russell on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Bill Russell, 1999. Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Gloria Estefan, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Gloria Estefan, ca. 1980. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Interview with Gloria Estefan on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2015. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Gloria Estefan,1988. Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to C.T. Vivian, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with C.T. Vivian on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Civil Rights activist C.T. Vivian in Atlanta, GA, 2012. AP Photo/David Goldman.

Alvin Ailey and Company dancers, 1980. AP Photo/Marty Reichenthal.

Robert Redford at his Sundance Institute, 1997. AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac.

Emilio Estefan at "The Graduate" play opening, 2002. Star Max via AP Images.

Gloria Estefan performing with Miami Sound Machine at Radio City Music Hall, 1988. Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images.

Diana Ross sings "I Just Called to Say I Love You" during the 1984 Academy Awards, 1985. AP Photo.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg arrives at the Oscars, 2024. AP Photo/Ashley Landis.

John Doar, 1966. AP Photo.

Muhammad Yunus at the World Economic Forum, 2009. Remy Steinegger /World Economic Forum.

American poet and author Maya Angelou during an interview, 1978. Jack Sotomayor/New York Times Co./Getty Images.

Israeli-born American violinist Itzhak Perlman rehearsing the Sibelius concerto at the Royal Festival Hall, 1975. Getty Images.

Portrait of American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn, 1970s. Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

Arturo Sandoval, with trumpet, 1989. David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images.

Meryl Streep during an interview at the Cannes Festival, 2024, Kevin Payravi, Wikimedia Commons.

Bob Dylan at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,1963. National Archives.

Cicely Tyson poses with her Emmy statuettes, 1974. AP Photo.

Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres, 2006. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello.

Sidney Poitier stars in and directs “Buck and the Preacher,” 1972. AP Photo.

Barbra Streisand singing, 1969. Wikimedia.

Stevie Wonder performs in the Netherlands, 1967. Dutch National Archives.

 Crow tribal historian Joseph Medicine Crow speaks of unity, 2001. AP Photo/Beck Bohrer.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Loretta Lynn, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Loretta Lynn performing at Town Hall in New York City, NY, 1999. Ebet Roberts/Redferns via Getty Images.

Interview with Loretta Lynn on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2013. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Loretta Lynn performs “You Ain’t Woman Enough.” Getty Images. 

Loretta Lynn, 1965. Wikimedia.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic,1995. Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images.

President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Michael Jordan in a ceremony at the White House, 2016. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

Interview with Michael Jordan on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2016. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Michael Jordan holds the NBA championship trophy after the Chicago Bulls defeat the LA Lakers,1991. © Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc.

Suzan Shown Harjo watches as Secretary Robert McCormick Adams signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Museum of American Indian, 1989. Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Suzan Harjo, 1991. AP Photo/Doug Mills.

Interview with Suzan Shown Harjo on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Suzan Shown Harjo speaks during a session titled "Mascots and Stereotypes," 2006. AP Photo/Brandi Simons.

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Suzan Harjo during a ceremony at the White House, 2014. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Maya Angelou writing, 1974. © Wayne Miller/Magnum Photos.

President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Maya Angelou during a ceremony at the White House, 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Interview with Maya Angelou on the occasion of receiving the Medal of Freedom award at the White House, Washington, D.C., 2011. National Archives, Obama Presidential Library.

Poet Maya Angelou,1974. Craig Herndon/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Producer Lorne Michaels speaks in his office in New York City, NY, 1977. AP Photo/Marty Reichenthal.

Oprah Winfrey, chair of Oprah Winfrey Network, addresses reporters, 2011. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello.

American artist Jasper Johns at the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1977. Getty Images.

Chita Rivera arrives at the 72nd annual Tony Awards, 2018. Evan Agostini/Invision via AP.

Bruce Springsteen performing at the LA Coliseum, 1985. Ron Wolfson/Rock Negatives/MediaPunch /IPX/AP.

Tom Hanks, 2016. Dick Thomas Johnson

Actor Robert De Niro during a news conference in New York City, NY, 1977. AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis.

Warren Buffett, 1991. AP Photos/Marcy Nighswander.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, 1976. AP Photo.

James Taylor performing in London, England, 1988. AP Photo.

Marlo Thomas, 1976. Glasshouse Images/Alamy Stock Photo.

BLOOMING BEAUTY.MYMA_SCOP_0026_00201. Composer(s): Max H (SOCAN) 100%, IPI 870673218. Publisher: MYMA APM (ASCAP) 100%, IPI 801878334. ISRC: FXQ392001629. APM MUSIC.

YOU AIN’T WOMAN ENOUGH, Performed by Loretta Lynn, Written by Loretta Lynn Sure Fire Music Co.