President John F. Kennedy, as we’ve been recently reminded, established the Presidential Medal of Freedom to honor those who have made “especially meritorious” contributions. It also established new eclectic norms. Where else would you find honorees that have ranged from Frank Sinatra, Martha Raye, Estee Lauder and Richard Petty to Jonas Salk, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Neal Armstrong?
This year’s honorees were no less varied. Among those recently honored by President Barack Obama: Sally Ride, Loretta Lynn, Oprah Winfrey, Arturo Sandoval and Bill Clinton. The tradition continues.