Former professional golfer Charles Sifford (seated) wears his Presidential Medal of Freedom while being interviewed by Bob Denney, senior association writer for the Professional Golf Association (PGA). President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to Sifford during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Charles (Charlie) Sifford was a professional golfer who helped to desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association, despite harassment and death threats. He started his life on the links as a caddy, and though he was formally excluded from the PGA for much of his career because of the color of his skin, he won six National Negro Opens. In 1960, he won his challenge over the PGA's "Caucasian only" membership policy. He went on to win official PGA events and the PGA Seniors’ Championship. He was inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of St. Andrews in 2006. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) appears at the White House during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
Record producer Berry Gordy (left) attends the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. Gordy is best known as the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.The Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. One of Gordy's featured artists, Stevie Wonder, was a recipient of one of the awards. (Photo by Jeff Malet)
