Marlo Thomas Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® Receives the Nation's Highest Civilian Honor for Her Tireless Efforts on Behalf of Women and Girls, and for Her Leading Role in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® National Outreach Director, Marlo Thomas, was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a special ceremony at the White House. With Ms. Thomas as its envoy to millions of supporters, St. Jude has become the global resource leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. In its release about the 2014 Medal of Freedom recipients, the White House wrote of Ms. Thomas: "For giving voice to the less fortunate, breaking barriers by portraying television's first single working woman on That Girl, teaching children to be Free to Be...You and Me," and for her tireless efforts on behalf of the children of St Jude Children's Research Hospital, "Thomas inspires us all to dream bigger and reach higher."
An award-winning actress, producer, best-selling author and social activist, Ms. Thomas has worked tirelessly for St. Jude to raise awareness and funds for the research and treatment of childhood cancer. She has appeared in public service announcements, on national television programs and at hundreds of fundraising events across the country to advance St. Jude's mission. Along with siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, she created St. Jude Thanks and Giving® - a national campaign that encourages holiday shoppers to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude. Over the past decade, it has raised more than $487 million.
"I can't help but think of my immigrant grandparents, and how proud they would be of their granddaughter receiving this wonderful recognition from the President of the country they so dearly loved," said Marlo Thomas. "And so I humbly accept this honor in their name, and in the spirit of the American dream."