Who gave Georgia O’Keeffe the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977?

Gerald Ford gave Georgia O’Keeffe the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor of the United States. Ford presented the award to O’Keeffe during his presidency, recognizing her major contribution to American culture and modern art.

O’Keeffe was among the first women artists to receive broad international recognition as a leading American modernist. Her paintings of flowers, New York architecture, animal bones, and New Mexico landscapes helped create a distinctive visual language that remained influential for decades.

The award date can be confused with later honors. O’Keeffe received many other distinctions, including the National Medal of Arts in 1985, presented during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. The Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts are separate awards, despite both recognizing exceptional cultural achievement.