[Inori]

Margaret Hamilton, the lead software engineer for the Apollo program and the inventor of Asynchronous Programming, and Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (posthumous), the inventor of the first compiler, were both awarded the Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor) by president Obama at the White House this afternoon.

These two women are enormous assets to modern technology. Both pinnacles of what developers and computer scientists should strive to become, as well as amazing people in every respect, without them countless paradigms of computer and software engineering would never have been pioneered, if any. Take a moment out of your day, learn their stories, and get inspired.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off...al-freedom

[Nyx]

Congratulations to them, however I don't understand why they decided to give Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awards along with a bunch of actors. It kind of makes the award seem less prestigious to give people the award that didn't exactly contribute to society in any big way other than entertainment.

[Inori]

Congratulations to them, however I don't understand why they decided to give Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awards along with a bunch of actors. It kind of makes the award seem less prestigious to give people the award that didn't exactly contribute to society in any big way other than entertainment.

Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, and Michael Jordan helped shape modern American culture and inspired many others who did the same, so I think it's warranted in their cases.

As for Elen DeGeneres et. al, your guess is as good as mine.

[Oni]

Congratulations to them, however I don't understand why they decided to give Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awards along with a bunch of actors. It kind of makes the award seem less prestigious to give people the award that didn't exactly contribute to society in any big way other than entertainment.

Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, and Michael Jordan helped shape modern American culture and inspired many others who did the same, so I think it's warranted in their cases.

As for Elen DeGeneres et. al, your guess is as good as mine.

Code:

President Obama said, "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor - it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better. From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way."

I figure cultural, and even sports-related achievements are worthy. I didn't know De Niro won one, so that's neat!

[mothered]

however I don't understand why they decided to give Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar awards along with a bunch of actors. It kind of makes the award seem less prestigious to give people the award that didn't exactly contribute to society in any big way other than entertainment.

Couldn't have said It better myself, I was wondering the exact same thing.

Well done to both mentioned In this thread. What's truly Inspiring Is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation- that's given In excess of 36 billion to poverty and hunger. I get quite emotional when I see ads with children suffering from malnutrition. No kid (or anyone for that matter) should have to go without food.