Maya Angelou, Rep. John Lewis among those awarded ‘Medal of Freedom’

President Barack Obama recognized Maya Angelou and 14 artists, athletes, a former president, civil rights activists, humanitarians and others Tuesday with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for contributions to society that he said speak to “who we are as a people.”

Medal of Freedom

This year’s recipients “reveal the best of who we are and who we aspire to be,” Obama said at a White House ceremony.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor.

It is given in recognition of contributions to U.S. national security, world peace, culture or other significant public or private endeavors. Tuesday’s medals were the second set Obama has awarded.

The recipients

John H. Adams, co-founder of Natural Resources Defense Council

Maya Angelou, an author and poet who wrote and recited one of her works at former President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway. The famed investor is known as the “Oracle of Omaha” for a business savvy that has helped him become one of the world’s richest men. Buffett is also a philanthropist and a leader of an effort challenging the country’s wealthiest people to step up their charitable giving.

Jasper Johns, an artist whose work has dealt with themes of perception and identity. He is considered a major influence on pop, minimalist and conceptual art.

Gerda Weissmann Klein, Holocaust survivor and author who founded Citizenship Counts, an organization that teaches students to cherish being American citizens

Yo-Yo Ma, a world renowned cellist and 16-time Grammy award winner who is known for his interpretations of Bach and Beethoven. He played at Obama’s inauguration and at other White House events.

Sylvia Mendez, a civil rights activist of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent

Angela Merkel, the first woman and first East German to serve as chancellor of a unified Germany. She did not attend the ceremony, but Obama said she’d be paying him a visit soon.

Stan Musial, Hall of Fame baseball player who spent 22 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals

Bill Russell, the former captain of the Boston Celtics and first black man to become an NBA head coach.

Jean Kennedy Smith, founder of VSA, a non-profit organization that promotes the artistic talents of people with disabilities

John J. Sweeney, president emeritus of the AFL-CIO

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and helped organize the first sit-ins at lunch counters that refused to serve blacks.

President Harry S. Truman established the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1945 to recognize civilians for their efforts during World War II. President John F. Kennedy reinstated the medal in 1963 to honor distinguished service.