Hall of fame of the great and the good

ANN Gloag will join an illustrious group including figures from the worlds of politics, music, film and royalty when she is is presented with the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal.

The award, which honours those who make a significant contribution to society in the arts, education, citizenship, philanthropy, or community, was first presented in 1987, when singer and social activist Harry Belafonte was among the recipients.

Since then, more than 100 people have followed in his footsteps, among them some of the most powerful figures in the United States. They include Hillary Clinton, Robert F Kennedy jnr, the environmental campaigner and nephew of JFK, and Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York.

A host of names from the world of entertainment have also received the medal courtesy of their campaigning work. They include musician Pete Seeger and actors Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Christopher Reeve and James Earl Jones.

While the majority of those recognised hail from the other side of the Atlantic, the medal has also been given to Cherie Blair, wife of former Tony Blair, and Queen Noor of Jordan.

In addition to inviduals, the award has been presented to institutions, such as colleges and libraries.

The other recipients of this year’s medal are Matilda Cuomo, former first lady of New York and the founder of Mentoring USA, Lorraine Roberts, a community leader, and Vassar College, an American liberal arts college.

MARTYN McLAUGHLIN