Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
On May 8, 2025, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History awarded its tenth Great Americans Medal to Ava DuVernay for her extraordinary contributions to the nation as a director, writer, producer, and film distributor. Learn more about her life’s work in this biographical video from the award program. The Great Americans Medal recognizes trailblazers who have made a lasting impact in their fields and whose philanthropic endeavors set them apart. Previous recipients include Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, General Colin L. Powell, Tom Brokaw, Cal Ripken Jr., Billie Jean King, Paul Simon, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Yo-Yo Ma. For more, visit https://greatamericans.si.edu/ and https://s.si.edu/GreatAmericans
On May 8, 2025, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History awarded its tenth Great Americans Medal to Ava DuVernay for her extraordinary contributions to the nation as a director, writer, producer, and film distributor. Learn more about her life’s work in this biographical video from the award program. The Great Americans Medal recognizes trailblazers who have made a lasting impact in their fields and whose philanthropic endeavors set them apart. Previous recipients include Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, General Colin L. Powell, Tom Brokaw, Cal Ripken Jr., Billie Jean King, Paul Simon, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Yo-Yo Ma. For more, visit https://greatamericans.si.edu/ and https://s.si.edu/GreatAmericans
