Mayor Michael Bloomberg is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and three-term mayor. He revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed education, the environment, public health and the arts in New York City.
Gregory J. Boyle is a Catholic Jesuit priest who is the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program. He has helped thousands of Angelenos change their lives.
Rep. Jim Clyburn is the former assistant Democratic leader and majority whip in the United States House of Representatives. During three decades in the House of Representatives, Representative Clyburn transformed the lives of millions of Americans and created a freer country.
Senator Elizabeth Dole has served her country as a groundbreaking United States Senator, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, and President of the American Red Cross. She leads by example through her Foundation's support of military caregivers and their families.
Phil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the issue-focused daytime television talk show. Donahue was the first daytime talk show to feature audience participation and one of the most influential television programs of its time.
Medgar Evers (died 1963) fought for his country in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi. After he was murdered in his home at the age of 37, his wife Myrlie continued the fight to seek justice and equality in his name.
Al Gore is a former Vice President, United States Senator, and member of the House of Representatives. After winning the popular vote, he accepted the outcome of a disputed presidential election for the sake of our unity. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his bold action against climate change.
Clarence B Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and attorney who helped draft Dr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech. Martin Luther King Jr. Jones was instrumental in preserving Dr.'s legacy. King and remains an outspoken force against hate.
Secretary John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, United States Senator, and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. His courage in combat during the Vietnam War earned him the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and history will remember his public sector career that spanned seven decades.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (died 2013) was a five-term United States Senator and New Jersey's longest-serving Senator. He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety in a number of areas.
Katie Ledecky is the most decorated swimmer in history. She is an athletic prodigy and has won seven Olympic gold medals and twenty-one world championship gold medals so far. She will continue to fight for the nation that looks at her in awe.
Opal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. More than 150 years after that day in Texas, she joined President Biden in making Juneteenth officially a national holiday in 2021.
Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female director of NASA's renowned Johnson Space Center. Dr. Ochoa has flown into space four times, spent nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire young generations of scientists.
Nancy Pelosi was the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives and represented San Francisco in Congress for more than 36 years. A staunch defender of democracy, she has shaped legislative agendas and democratic priorities for decades.
Jane Rigby, an astronomer who grew up in Delaware, is the chief scientist of the world's most powerful telescope. Dr. A prolific researcher, Rigby embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.
Teresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States. She has won important victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our nation.
Judy Shepard is co-founder of the Matthew Shephard Foundation, an organization founded in honor of her son who was murdered in one of the country's most notorious anti-gay hate crimes. Her work has made tremendous progress in our fight to deny hate a safe haven.
Jim Thorpe (died 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. He was the country's original multi-sport superstar, going on to play professional football, baseball and basketball, breaking barriers both on and off the court.
Michelle Yeoh is an actress known for her groundbreaking work in a number of blockbusters over four decades. She recently became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Yeoh continues to break stereotypes and enrich American culture.
(Credit: The White House)