Obama Honoring 13 Citizens Medal Winners at White House

The White House has announced the winners of this year's Citizens Medal, an honor established in 1969 to recognize Americans who have performed "exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens." According to the official press release, this year President Obama chose to recognize people "whose work has had a significant impact on their communities but may not have garnered national attention." The winners will be feted at an East Room celebration this afternoon. With descriptions of their work provided by the White House, they are:

Roberta Diaz Brinton, from Los Angeles. As director of the University of Southern California's Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Program, Brinton has opened the doors of opportunity for thousands of disadvantaged and minority inner-city youth.

Daisy M. Brooks, from Chicago, opened Daisy's Resource and Developmental Center to serve as a dormitory, school, and catalyst for young women to improve their lives.

Betty Kwan Chinn, from Eureka, Calif. Left homeless as a child in China, Chinn became mute. When she came to America, she found both her voice and her mission: aiding those without shelter on our own shores. Today, Chinn provides meals twice a day as expressions of gratitude to a welcoming nation.

Cynthia M. Church, from Wilmington, Del. Dismayed by the lack of resources for women of color with breast cancer, Church founded Sisters on a Mission Inc., an African-American breast cancer support network in Delaware.

Susan Retik Ger, from Needham, Mass. After losing her husband on September 11, 2001, she found cause in educating and training Afghan widows and their children.

Mary K. Hoodhood, from Grand Rapids, Mich. Though a car accident left her paralyzed, Hoodhood began volunteering to feed the hungry through her local Meals on Wheels program. In 2001, Hoodhood founded Kids' Food Basket, which provides meals to thousands of children in the Grand Rapids area.

Kimberly McGuiness, from Cave Spring, Ga. Her persistent letters, phone calls and visits to state legislators helped spur the passage of Georgia's Deaf Child's Bill of Rights. She has led workshops, counseled parents and changed lives, raising awareness and support for deaf education.

Jorge Muñoz, from New York City. By giving his time, energy and resources to feeding the hungry, he has demonstrated the enduring American values of sacrifice and kindness.

Lisa Nigro, from Chicago. Beginning with a wagon full of coffee and sandwiches, Nigro eventually opened a restaurant for homeless men and women, expanding with partner organizations to provide housing, job training and vital support to Chicagoans affected by poverty.

MaryAnn Phillips, from Star Valley Ranch, Wyo. An American citizen living in Germany, Phillips volunteers with Soldiers Angels at Landstuhl Air Force Base. She spends countless hours at the bedsides of our wounded warriors and their families, caring for them, encouraging them and grieving with them.

Elizabeth Cushman Titus Putnam, from Shaftsbury, Vt. Her vision to offer land restoration and maintenance service opportunities became a reality with the birth of the Student Conservation Association.

Myrtle Faye Rumph, from Inglewood, Calif. Her commitment to reducing gun and gang violence in her community has steered countless young people away from dangerous habits and altered the course of their futures.

George J. Weiss Jr., from Marine, Minn. A veteran of World War II and the United States Marine Corps, in 1979 Weiss founded the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad. Today it consists of more than 125 volunteers who have performed final military honors for more than 55,000 deceased veterans.