Pam Benson, a prominent member of our club recently visited The White House to accompany Professor Stephen Hawking who was awarded America’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Cambridge University theoretical physicist was among sixteen prominent people selected for the honour by President Obama. All were chosen for their work as ‘agents of change'.

They included former Irish President and one-time United Nations human rights commissioner Mary Robinson, retired South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, film star Sidney Poitier and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

A posthumous award was given to gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978. Actor Sean Penn won an Oscar for his portrayal of the San Francisco politician in the film, ‘Milk.’

 President Obama had to reach around the head dress of Chief Joseph Medicine Crow, who received a medal, for his service in WWII and was for being the first member of his tribe to earn a master's degree

See some photo's here.

Professor Hawking, 67, is known for his contributions to the fields of cosmology and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes, a region in space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that nothing, including light, can escape its pull.

His books - including the runaway best seller ‘A Brief History in Time’ - and public appearances have made him an academic celebrity.

His achievements are all the more admired because of his battle with neuro muscular dystrophy, a condition that has progressed over the years and left him almost paralysed.

President Harry Truman first established the Medal of Freedom in 1945 to recognise civilians for their efforts in World War Two. It was restored with even greater prestige by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to recognise distinguished service in peacetime.

The ceremony was Mr Obama’s first opportunity to honour individuals who have made ‘an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.’