President Obama has announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the 19 names include giants across science, social justice and the arts. In the latter category, the President will honor Alvin Ailey, the influential dancer and choreographer who died in 1989. Here are 18 other figures who will be recognized alongside Ailey during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony on November 24.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
President Obama has announced this year's recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the 19 names include giants across science, social justice and the arts. In the latter category, the President will honor Alvin Ailey, the influential dancer and choreographer who died in 1989. Here are 18 other figures who will be recognized alongside Ailey during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony on November 24.
John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/getty images
Isabel Allende is one of literature's biggest names. The Chilean native, known for threading her novels with magical realism, has penned 21 books that have sold 65 million copies in 35 languages.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Isabel Allende is one of literature's biggest names. The Chilean native, known for threading her novels with magical realism, has penned 21 books that have sold 65 million copies in 35 languages.
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Veteran broadcaster Tom Brokaw has covered some of the world's biggest news events, and somehow also found the time to write five books. One of those titles is the tome "The Greatest Generation," a landmark book that examines the generation of achievers born between 1910 and the mid-1920s.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Veteran broadcaster Tom Brokaw has covered some of the world's biggest news events, and somehow also found the time to write five books. One of those titles is the tome "The Greatest Generation," a landmark book that examines the generation of achievers born between 1910 and the mid-1920s.
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These three men -- from left, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were part of 1964's Freedom Summer and joined other civil rights activists fighting for equal voting rights. But their activism led to their deaths; Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman were murdered in Mississippi in June 1964.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
These three men -- from left, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were part of 1964's Freedom Summer and joined other civil rights activists fighting for equal voting rights. But their activism led to their deaths; Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman were murdered in Mississippi in June 1964.
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The work of scientist Mildred S. Dresselhaus has contributed greatly to materials research and advances in electronics. As an electrical engineer, materials scientist and physicist, Dresselhaus also shares her wealth of knowledge in the classroom as a professor at MIT.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
The work of scientist Mildred S. Dresselhaus has contributed greatly to materials research and advances in electronics. As an electrical engineer, materials scientist and physicist, Dresselhaus also shares her wealth of knowledge in the classroom as a professor at MIT.
AAS/ERLEND/AFP/GettyImages
When John Dingell decided he wanted to be a congressman, he was in it for the long haul. At 88, Dingell, D-Michigan, is the longest-serving member of Congress in the country's history, having served since 1955.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
When John Dingell decided he wanted to be a congressman, he was in it for the long haul. At 88, Dingell, D-Michigan, is the longest-serving member of Congress in the country's history, having served since 1955.
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As the founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and a tireless supporter of social causes, Ethel Kennedy (the widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy) is also set to get her recognition from the President.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
As the founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and a tireless supporter of social causes, Ethel Kennedy (the widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy) is also set to get her recognition from the President.
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Suzan Harjo wears a lot of hats: She's a writer, curator and activist for Native American causes. Through those aspects of her career, Harjo has done some impressive work, including helping pass the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. She's now president of the Morning Star Institute, a Native rights organization.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Suzan Harjo wears a lot of hats: She's a writer, curator and activist for Native American causes. Through those aspects of her career, Harjo has done some impressive work, including helping pass the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. She's now president of the Morning Star Institute, a Native rights organization.
Paul Morigi//The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian/AP
Abner Mikva has given his life to public service. He's been a judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a congressman and White House counsel for former President Bill Clinton.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Abner Mikva has given his life to public service. He's been a judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a congressman and White House counsel for former President Bill Clinton.
Tim Boyle/Bloomberg News/getty images
The late Patsy T. Mink was a barrier-breaking politician who hailed from Hawaii. She was the first Japanese-American female attorney in Hawaii and went on to become the first woman of color to be elected to Congress. When she got there, she co-authored and helped push through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which called for gender equality in every educational program that receives federal funding.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
The late Patsy T. Mink was a barrier-breaking politician who hailed from Hawaii. She was the first Japanese-American female attorney in Hawaii and went on to become the first woman of color to be elected to Congress. When she got there, she co-authored and helped push through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which called for gender equality in every educational program that receives federal funding.
Douglas Graham/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images
Before Edward Roybal was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962, only one other Hispanic from the state of California had done so -- and he served in 1879. During his time as a representative, Roybal also founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Before Edward Roybal was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962, only one other Hispanic from the state of California had done so -- and he served in 1879. During his time as a representative, Roybal also founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
Bruce Cox/Los Angeles Times/AP
Pro athlete Charlie Sifford desegrated the world of golf in 1961, when he became the first black golfer to join the PGA Tour. Upon hearing the news that Sifford would be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, golf star <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FTigerWoods%2Fstatus%2F531998933586038785" target="_blank" target="_blank">Tiger Woods tweeted</a>, "You're the grandpa I never had. Your past sacrifices allow me to play golf today. I'm so happy for you Charlie."
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Pro athlete Charlie Sifford desegrated the world of golf in 1961, when he became the first black golfer to join the PGA Tour. Upon hearing the news that Sifford would be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, golf star Tiger Woods tweeted, "You're the grandpa I never had. Your past sacrifices allow me to play golf today. I'm so happy for you Charlie."
The PGA of America/Getty Images
Through his work as a composer and songwriter, Stephen Sondheim has given us the gift of musicals like "Company," "Follies" and "Sweeney Todd." His musical "Into the Woods" has been adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep and is set to open on December 25.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Through his work as a composer and songwriter, Stephen Sondheim has given us the gift of musicals like "Company," "Follies" and "Sweeney Todd." His musical "Into the Woods" has been adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep and is set to open on December 25.
Scott Gries/Getty Images
Speaking of Meryl Streep, this versatile actress will also be honored by the President on November 24. Though Streep has plenty of awards to her name -- she has the most Oscar nominations of any actor -- we bet the Presidential Medal of Freedom will hold a special place for her.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Speaking of Meryl Streep, this versatile actress will also be honored by the President on November 24. Though Streep has plenty of awards to her name -- she has the most Oscar nominations of any actor -- we bet the Presidential Medal of Freedom will hold a special place for her.
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Before it was PC to do so, "That Girl" star Marlo Thomas wanted everyone to know that we're all "Free to Be You and Me." She isn't acting often anymore, but Thomas is plenty busy serving as the national outreach director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Before it was PC to do so, "That Girl" star Marlo Thomas wanted everyone to know that we're all "Free to Be You and Me." She isn't acting often anymore, but Thomas is plenty busy serving as the national outreach director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" isn't just a great album, and it isn't just a classic. It's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com%2Fmusic%2Flists%2F500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531%2Fstevie-wonder-songs-in-the-key-of-life-20120524" target="_blank" target="_blank">one of the best recordings of all time</a> -- and that can be said before even getting to the rest of his catalog. Wonder's already been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Center; now he'll be honored by the President.
2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees —
Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" isn't just a great album, and it isn't just a classic. It's one of the best recordings of all time -- and that can be said before even getting to the rest of his catalog. Wonder's already been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Center; now he'll be honored by the President.
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