Presidential Medal of Freedom Archives

Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Korbel Albright became the US’s first woman Secretary of State in 1997.

Martha Graham

Groundbreaking modern dance choreographer

Leontyne Price

Grammy-winning African-American opera singer

Margaret Chase Smith

The first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress and the first woman to represent Maine in either.

Melinda French Gates

As co-chair of the world’s largest private charitable foundation, Melinda Gates is one of the most powerful women in philanthropy.

Isabel Allende is the author of over twenty books including The House of the Spirits (La Casa de los Espíritus) (1982), Eva Luna (1987), Paula (1995), Inés del Alma Mía (Inés of My Soul) (2006), and Violeta (2022).

Clare Boothe Luce

US congresswoman (1942-1946), ambassador, playwright, socialite, and war reporter

Dr Lena Frances Edwards

Dr. Lena Edwards was one of the first African American women to be board-certified as an obstetrician-gynecologist as well as to gain admission to the International College of Surgeons. Throughout her career she served the poor, lobbying for better health care for anyone who needed it, regardless of what they could afford.