Obama presents Isabel Allende with top U.S. civilian award

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday presented the Medal of Freedom, the country’s top civilian honor, to Chileanborn author Isabel Allende along with 17 other recipients, including actress Meryl Streep and singer Stevie Wonder.

Obama, who opened the ceremony by admitting that it is one of his favorite events of the year, emphasized the importance of the distinction that, he said, celebrates “people who have made America stronger and wiser and more humane and more beautiful.”

The Medal of Freedom recognizes the work of those who have worked for the United States in various disciplines, whether in enhancing the nation’s military power, scientific innovation or the arts, among many others.

In Allende’s case, the award was bestowed to thank the writer, a naturalized American, for her literary career and her distinguished ability to tell stories through her novels.

Obama alluded to Allende’s exile during the 19741990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, emphasizing her work through the foundation she created to honor her deceased daughter Paula to help families around the world.

The president also decorated singer Stevie Wonder, saying that “For more than 50 years, Stevie has channeled his inner visions into messages of hope and healing ... Some of his songs helped us fall in love, others mended our hearts.”

He also honored Congressman John Dingell (DMich.), who is set to retire later this year after becoming the longestserving U.S. lawmaker in history. Obama praised his legislative work and said that “His life reminds us that change takes time, and change takes courage.”

The president also posthumously decorated MexicanAmerican Congressman Edward Roybal, who was the first Hispanic lawmaker in almost a century and founded the Hispanic Caucus in Congress, thus contributing to giving Latinos a greater voice in the country’s affairs.

Also honored with the prestigious award were rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, and choreographer Alvin Ailey, all posthumously, engineer Mildred Dresselhaus and human rights defender Ethel Kennedy, as well as journalist Tom Brokaw, economist Robert Solow and actress Marlo Thomas.

Composer Stephen Sondheim, who had been scheduled to receive the award, could not attend the ceremony and will receive the Medal of Freedom in 2015, the president said.