The legendary gymnast is now the youngest-ever recipient of the high presidential honor, which recognizes “exemplary contributions” to U.S. society
Simone Biles Honored With Presidential Medal of Freedom
U.S. President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Simone Biles, Olympic gold medal gymnast and mental health advocate, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House July 7, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Biden awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor to 17 recipients. The award honors 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. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Simone Biles now has yet another medal to add to her extensive collection. Among her 32 Olympic and World Championship medals now sits a Presidential Medal of Freedom, gifted to her by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
According to The White House, the medal 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.” In addition to Biles, this year’s honorees include Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington (who had to skip the award ceremony due to a case of COVID-19 according to CNN), and Fred Gray, who served as an attorney to both Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Simone Biles Honored With Presidential Medal of Freedom
US President Joe Biden presents gymnast Simone Biles with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 17 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, July 7, 2022. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Biles was all smiles during the ceremony, visibly elated to receive such a high honor. At just 25 years old, she is also now the youngest-ever recipient of the medal.
“I’m so honored and thankful to be recognized as a recipient by President Biden for this prestigious award.” Biles wrote on Instagram. “I still have no words. I’m shocked!”
In addition to nearly effortlessly winning a total of 8 Olympic medals on behalf of the United States, Biles has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and bravely fight for justice on behalf of herself and her fellow young female athletes in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal that plagued the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team.
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During his remarks, Biden described Biles as “a trailblazer and a role model.”
“When we see her compete, we see unmatched, unmatched power and determination, grace and daring,” he continued. “When she stands on the podium, we see what she is — absolute courage to turn personal pain into greater purpose; to stand up and speak for those who cannot stand for themselves. Today, she adds to her medal count of 32 — how are you going to find room?”
Gymnast Simone Biles looks on after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 17 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, July 7, 2022. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
On hand to support Biles was her fianceé, Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens. He offered some sweet words to his bride-to-be on her big day at The White House.
“Words can’t explain how proud I am of you,” Owens wrote to Biles on Instagram. “You’re one of the strongest people I know and are so deserving. I’m so blessed to be able to experience this with you. You motivate me more every day to be the best version of myself. Such [an] inspiration.”
Merck, a global biopharmaceutical company, is dedicated to sparking conversations about clinical trials. We sat down with Dr. Adrelia Allen, Executive Director of Clinical Trial Patient Diversity at Merck, a driving force behind the company’s efforts to boost diversity in clinical trials, to dive into why this matters, what Merck is doing to help ensure diverse representation in their clinical trials, and why it’s time we all started talking about clinical trials within our community.
Noel: Why is it important for clinical trials to enroll diverse patients?
Adrelia: Did you know that according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration data from 2015 to 2019, only 24% of participants in clinical trials were from racial minority groups? But at the time, members of these communities made up nearly 40% of the U.S. population.¹ That’s quite a gap, isn’t it? These data highlight a significant lack of diversity in clinical trials. It is important that people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, be represented in clinical research to ensure data generated from the clinical trial reflects the diversity of the populations we hope to serve.
Noel: I know there are many factors involved, but what are some reasons you think have contributed to members of the Black community being underrepresented in clinical trials and hesitant to participate in them?
Adrelia: I think part of it is deeply ingrained mistrust, Noel, something I’ve experienced firsthand. My father’s refusal of an MRI for prostate cancer diagnosis stemmed from this mistrust. Many people also simply don’t have enough information about clinical trials or don’t know how to get involved. Others worry about the time commitment and potential costs, like childcare and travel expenses. It’s crucial for us in the healthcare industry to build trust and provide clear, accessible information about clinical trials. We need to make sure patients know their rights are protected and that there are resources and assistance available for them. By addressing barriers to participation, we can help patients feel more confident and empowered to explore whether a clinical trial may be the right choice for them.
Noel: What is Merck doing to ensure diversity in its clinical trials?
Adrelia: Merck is dedicated to making sure our clinical trials are inclusive of people from different backgrounds. One key step we’re taking is choosing where to conduct our trials based on demographic data. This means we look at areas with large populations of groups that have historically not been included in clinical trials, like members of the Black/African American community, and set up trial sites there. This way, it’s easier for people in these communities to access and participate in these trials.
We’re also working with community organizations, colleges, and professional groups to provide resources, including educational materials about clinical trials. Additionally, we utilize a mobile clinical research unit at health fairs and community events to promote community engagement and increase clinical trial awareness and education in various communities. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our clinical trials represent the diversity of the communities who we hope to serve.
Noel: We’re excited to have you at this year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture! Can you tell us more about your panel discussion, “Diversity in Clinical Trials” and why it’s important to initiate conversations about clinical trials now?
Adrelia: Absolutely! Our panel, “Diversity in Clinical Trials,” is on Sunday, July 7 at 1:10 p.m. CT in the Convention Center’s GBEF HQ area. It’s all about sparking conversations around this often-overlooked topic. It might seem like a big conversation to tackle, but it’s important to start somewhere. You may have lingering questions about clinical trials, and the answers can be found online, in educational resources, or through conversations with your doctor and members of your family or community.
Having these conversations is so important because it’s a chance to clear up any misunderstandings, share helpful info, and help everyone feel confident about their health choices. When we break down these barriers and speak openly, we can encourage more people to take steps to learn about clinical trials.