Athlete Ally Proud To See Ally Yogi Berra Honored With Presidential Medal Of Freedom
November 24, 2015 — Today Athlete Ally reflects on the legacy of ally Yogi Berra, as he is posthumously bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Previously, Athlete Ally sent a letter to President Obama recommending Berra for the honor. (see the letter here: http://www.athleteally.org/news/hudson-taylor-recommends-yogi-berra-presidential-medal-freedom/) Berra joined Athlete Ally, which works to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sport, in 2013 as a Pro Ambassador.
Berra and Athlete Ally collaborated with the Berra Museum and Learning Center on the innovative “Championing Respect” museum exhibit, which charts how sports has contributed to social change, from Jackie Robinson to Billie Jean King to today’s athletes working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality.
Statement from Hudson Taylor, Founder & Executive Director, Athlete Ally
“Yogi Berra lived life so well he continues to be present in his absence. He left a legacy none of us will remember to forget, as an ally who brought people together the further they were apart. Yogi was an ally to all and championed the kind of respect and inclusion that every athlete should emulate. He is so deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. ”
To learn more about Athlete Ally’s work with Yogi Berra, see below:
Yogi Berra’s Athlete Ally Pro Ambassador Profile: https://www.athleteally.org/allies/yogi-berra/
Athlete Ally Mourns Baseball Pioneer and Ally Yogi Berra: http://www.athleteally.org/news/athlete-ally-mourns-baseball-pioneer-and-ally-yogi-berra/
Hudson Taylor recommends Yogi Berra for Presidential Medal of Freedom: http://www.athleteally.org/news/hudson-taylor-recommends-yogi-berra-presidential-medal-freedom/
Athlete Ally’s mission is to educate and activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports and to exercise their leadership to champion LGBT equality. Founded in 2011, Athlete Ally has worked with the NBA, WNBA, and MLB on matters of respect and inclusion; led the Principle 6 campaign that convinced the International Olympic Committee to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination clause of the Olympic Charter; and counts more than 100 college, professional, and Olympic athletes among its dedicated and active Ambassadors.