The Presidential Medal of Freedom [2] is the highest honor that the U.S. government awards to civilians. Presidents select a handful of people each year who have made significant contributions in national security, world peace, promoting culture or “other significant public or private endeavors.”
This year’s medals will be presented to 15 distinguished people on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Among the list of honorees are some names that are familiar here at Teaching Tolerance. They include:
The awarding of the Medal of Freedom is a great time to talk to students about their dreams for the future. All 15 of the honorees made great contributions to American life. The three spotlighted here had to overcome large—often dangerous—obstacles to do so. When they started out, few would have guessed that these three would one day stand in the White House and be congratulated by the president. Yet they have had a tremendous impact on the world.
Have your students look 50 years into the future. How might they win their own Presidential Medals of Freedom?
Price is managing editor of Teaching Tolerance.
Links:
[1] http://www.tolerance.org/author/sean-price
[2] http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/11/17/announcing-2010-medal-freedom-recipients
[3] http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-33-spring-2008/reflections-dream-deferred
[4] http://www.tolerance.org/bullied
[5] http://www.tolerance.org/kit/one-survivor-remembers