On July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden presented Sister Simone Campbell, S.S.S., former executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with 16 other individuals who have “made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
While leading NETWORK from 2004 to 2021, Sister Simone Campbell founded and led seven cross-country Nuns on the Bus tours, pioneered efforts to organize Catholics in progressive politics, and protected access to health care for millions of Americans.
“I am overwhelmed and grateful for this honor,” said Sister Simone Campbell upon receiving the nation’s highest civilian award. She continued, “This award recognizes each and every advocate for justice who accepts the moral call to participate in politics to advance the common good. I am so grateful for the opportunity to lift up all of our work.”