AP Photo/ Evan VucciWe can now add Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient to Oprah Winfrey's extremely impressive résumé.
Calling the OWN founder "the pinnacle of the entertainment universe," President Barack Obama awarded Winfrey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of 16 he bestowed on luminaries including former President Bill Clinton, country star Loretta Lynn, women's rights activist Gloria Steinem, baseball legend Ernie Banks and astronaut Sally Ride.
The touching ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Winfrey's fellow Chicagoan praised the media mogul before presenting her with the highest award the U.S. gives a civilian.
"In more than 4,500 episodes of her show, her message was always, 'You can,'" President Obama said of the Oscar-nominated actress, according to USA Today.
Winfrey appeared pleased and proud as President Obama placed the medal around her neck.
Winfrey has long supported President Obama's political career, and the commander in chief admitted in August that he too is a fan of the 59-year-old's work.
"You know, I did see The Butler, and I did tear up," President Obama admitted in August during a radio interview.
He praised the acting as "terrific" and added "Oprah, my girl, she can act."
Congrats to Oprah and all of the recipients!
President John F. Kennedy created the Presidential Medal of Freedom award so it was fitting that President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, along with medal recipient Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery at his gravesite. The 50th anniversary of the 35th president's assassination is on Friday, Nov. 22.