Diana Ross Receives Presidential Medal Of Honor

Joining a star-studded group, Diana Ross — who grew up in public housing in Detroit and went on to become a star of stage and screen and the voice of Motown — received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, at the White House today.

President Barack Obama, introducing Ross before the award was given, credited her with making music history with the Supremes and throughout her career, saying she “exuded glamour and grace” and earned “a permanent place in the American soundtrack."

“Diana Ross’ influence is as inescapable as ever,” Obama said as Ross joined a group of luminaries receiving the award that included basketball stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, actors Robert DeNiro, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and rock star Bruce Springsteen.

In Ross’ citation for the award, she was referred to as “a daughter of Detroit” who “helped create the sound of Motown with her iconic voice.” Ross grew up in Detroit’s Brewster-Douglass Projects and went to Cass Tech before striking gold with the Supremes with such hits as “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” She has won numerous Grammys and is a member, with the other members of the Supremes, in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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