Queen Latifah and Missy Elliot Honoured With National Medals at the White House

At a star-studded White House event on Monday, Oct. 21, President Joe Biden awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts to some of the most influential names in entertainment, including hip-hop figure Missy Elliott and actress Queen Latifah.

The award, the highest honor bestowed upon artists by the U.S. government, was part of a larger ceremony recognizing 39 individuals and organizations that have left an indelible mark on American arts and culture, Billboard reports.

Missy Elliott, took to X to express her gratitude. “I am HUMBLY GRATEFUL! Crying Tears of JOY!” she wrote, recalling how faith and perseverance guided her through tougher days. She didn’t stop there, giving a heartfelt shout-out to her longtime friend and peer, Queen Latifah. “And a BIG CONGRATS to my sis @IAMQUEENLATIFAH, who deserves all the bouquets.”

President Biden, speaking to the significance of the moment, noted how the arts have been a powerful force for unity, especially during a time when “extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, [and] spreading misinformation.”

With the 2024 presidential election looming, Biden took a moment to acknowledge the strong women in the room, celebrating not only the award recipients but the power of women in leadership, adding, “proving a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some.”