Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who made history as the first female speaker of the House and has been the driving force behind landmark legislation, received the nation’s highest civilian honor Friday.

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco’s long-serving congresswoman, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — on Friday. President Joe Biden bestowed the award to the 84-year-old Pelosi and 18 others during a Friday afternoon ceremony at the White House.

Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh is among this year’s 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Friday. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented annually, is the nation's highest civilian honor,