Chita Rivera awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

Chita receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama

Of Rivera, the White House says: From stage to screen, Chita Rivera has captured America's imagination with her magnetic presence and radiant voice. Over a career that has spanned a half-century, she has received numerous accolades for her performances, including two Tony Awards, six additional Tony nominations, and the Kennedy Center Honors Award. As fearless as Anita in "West Side Story," and as self-reliant as Aurora in "Kiss of the Spider Woman," she has broken barriers under Broadway's lights and inspired a generation of women to follow in her remarkable footsteps. The United States honors Chita Rivera for her lifetime of achievement as one of America's great artists.

"These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds," President Obama said in a statement. "Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way. Their relentless devotion to breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens sets a standard to which we all should strive. It is my great honor to award them the Medal of Freedom."

Rivera earned Tony Awards for her work in the Kander and Ebb-Terrence McNally musicals The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She originated the role of Anita in the 1957 premiere of West Side Story and has appeared in the Broadway productions of Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, Jerry's Girls, Merlin, Bajour, Can-Can and Nine, as well as her autobiographical show The Dancer's Life. Rivera originated the role of Claire Zachanassian in the Kander-Ebb-McNally musical The Visit at the Signature Theatre in 2008 and memorably performs Hey Big Spender in the film version of Sweet Charity. She won Tonys for her performances in The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman


Also honored with the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom are Nancy Goodman Brinker, Pedro Jose Greer, Jr, Stephen Hawking Jack Kemp, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Billie Jean King, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Joe Medicine Crow-High Bird, Harvey Milk, Sandra Day O'Connor, Mary Robinson, Janet Davison Rowley, MD, Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Yunus.

Category:

Entertainment

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• Chita
• Rivera
• Barack
• Obama
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• house
• Presidential
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• of
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• broadway
• dance
• divas

[stevemoe03]

thats my aunt she is a great person

[kaiserbunny132]

Why the hell did she get this medal? There are plenty of other people with better qualifications and more contributions.

[powerfulpowerzz]

she looks BEAUTIFUL

[wfurtwangler]

Yes, she certainly is an amazing part of American Culture. Well deserved

[TLB1933]

I swear the President saved his biggest smile for Chita! She just makes you want to laugh! Congrats Chita on the highest Civilian Honor!

[pedrobcn]

I had the great opportunity and the honor to meet and share some time with her last week. One of the kindest human beings I ever met! That smiles tell all. Estupenda! Te quiero Chita! Felicidades!

[scooterpp]

She didn't kill anybody. She's a woman with a sick amount of talent, and a trailblazer for her community. Unlike Laura Bush who killed her boyfriend in a car accident and never did anything worthwhile with her life except raise a couple of rotten children.

[GeorgeWTush]

Who the fuck did Chita Rivera ever kill? Nobody.

[Budma30k]

Goes to show you that if your a Democrat you can kill someone and still get a Fucking Medal .Asshole ,motherfucking cocksucker.