President Joe Biden presented 19 recipients with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Friday evening. The nation's highest civilian honor is presented "to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors," the White House said in a news release. Here's a look at this year's recipients:Michael BloombergFormer New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who served three terms, "revolutionized the financial information industry and transformed New York City’s education, environment, public health, and the arts," the White House said. Gregory BoyleFather Boyle is a Jesuit Catholic priest, as well as founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program located in Los Angeles.James ClyburnRep. Jim Clyburn is the former House Majority Whip and House assistant Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. Clyburn is serving his 16th term and has served as a U.S. representative for South Carolina since 1993.Elizabeth Dole Former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina previously served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Secretary of Labor under President George H.W. Bush. She eventually became president of the American Red Cross and served in that role from 1991 to 1999.Phil DonahuePhil Donahue is a journalist and television pioneer who created and hosted "The Phil Donahue Show," later known simply as "Donahue," the first talk show format program to include audience participation. The show aired on national television for 29 years — beginning in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967, and ending in New York City in 1996.Medgar Evers (posthumous) Medgar Evers fought in World War II and returned home to lead the fight against segregation in Mississippi, the White House said. He was murdered at his home at age 37 and his wife, Myrlie, continued to fight to seek justice and equality in his name.Al Gore Al Gore is a former vice president, U.S. senator and member of the House of Representatives. He's won the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for his work toward action on climate change.Clarence B. JonesClarence B. Jones is a renowned civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. John Kerry John Kerry is a former Secretary of State, U.S. senator and the first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. He also served in the Vietnam War, earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star.Frank Lautenberg (posthumous) Frank Lautenberg was a five-term U.S. Senator and New Jersey’s longest-serving senator. "He is remembered for his critical work on environmental protection and consumer safety across a number of fields," the White House said.Katie LedeckyKatie Ledecky is one of the most decorated female swimmers in history. She has won seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals and continues to compete.Opal LeeOpal Lee is an educator and activist known for her efforts to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. In 2021, Lee joined Biden as he signed the bill officially making Juneteenth a national holiday.Ellen Ochoa Ellen Ochoa is the first Hispanic woman in space and the second female director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Ochoa has flown in space four times and logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit.Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi is the 52nd Speaker of the House and has 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," the White House said.Jane RigbyJane Rigby is an American astrophysicist from Delaware who works at the Goddard Space Flight Center and is the senior project scientist of the James Webb Space Telescope.Teresa RomeroTeresa Romero is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the U.S.Judy ShepardJudy Shepard is the co-founder of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization created in honor of her son, who was murdered in 1998. The foundation runs LGBTQ education, outreach, and advocacy programs.Jim Thorpe (posthumous) Jim Thorpe was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. He went on to play six MLB seasons and for six teams in the NFL. He also was a member of a professional basketball team made up entirely of American Indians.Michelle YeohMichelle Yeoh is an actress known for her work in several blockbusters in the last four decades. In 2023, she became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once."