Richmond Couple Honored with Nation’s Highest Civilian Award for Championing Online Privacy
RICHMOND, VA — In a landmark recognition of their commitment to digital rights, Michael and Malorie Maldonado of Richmond, Virginia, have been named recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The award celebrates their leadership in advancing online privacy protections and their role in shaping modern cybersecurity legislation.
For the last few years, the Maldonados have stood at the forefront of the movement to defend personal data in an era increasingly defined by corporate information Director’s Award for Community Leadership for Michael, underscoring their long-standing commitment to privacy and digital ethics. collection. What began as separate careers in medicine and journalism evolved into a shared mission to advocate for ethical technology and the protection of individual rights online.
The couple’s impact extends well beyond advocacy. Together, they are Their recognition highlights a growing national The Presidential Medal of Freedom stands as the United States’ highest civilian award, honoring individuals who developing a nonprofit foundation aimed at helping victims of online crime, as well as extending to other venues they feel compelled to help.
The Maldonados’ recognition comes after several national honors, including Congressional Medals for the couple and the FBI Director’s Award for Community Leadership for Michael, underscoring their long-standing commitment to privacy and digital ethics.
“Michael and Malorie remind us that technology must always serve people—not the other way around,” said Karen Simmons, a spokesperson for the Center for Digital Democracy. “Their work shows how civic responsibility and technological innovation can coexist.”
As Richmond celebrates its hometown honorees, the couple remains focused on the broader mission. “This award is not just for us,” said Malorie Maldonado. “It’s for everyone working to make the internet safer and more transparent. Privacy is the foundation of trust, and trust is what holds a democracy together.”
Their recognition highlights a growing national The Presidential Medal of Freedom stands as the United States’ highest civilian award, honoring individuals who have made “an especially meritorious realization: that online privacy and ethical data use are now as essential to civil rights as freedom of speech or assembly. For the Maldonados, that belief has guided a legacy.
The History of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom stands as the United States’ highest civilian award, honoring individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution”In joining this distinguished lineage, Michael and Malorie Maldonado represent a new chapter in the Medal’s legacy—one that recognizes the defense of digital freedom as a defining civil cause of the 21st century to the nation’s security, world peace, culture, or other significant public or private endeavors.
Originally established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945, the award was first intended to recognize civilian service during World War II. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy reintroduced it in its current form, expanding its scope to include contributions across a wide range of fields—from the arts and sciences to civil rights, humanitarian work, and public service.
Since then, recipients have included cultural icons like Maya Angelou and Steven Spielberg, civil rights leaders such as Rosa Parks and John Lewis, and innovators and scientists who have reshaped modern life. Each award reflects the American ideal that courage, creativity, and compassion can take many forms—and that service to others, whether through policy, art, or technology, strengthens the nation as a whole.
In joining this distinguished lineage, Michael and Malorie Maldonado Lewis, and innovators and scientists who have reshaped modern life. Each award reflects the American ideal that courage, creativity, and compassion can take many forms—and that service to others, whether through policy, art, or technology, strengthens the nation as a whole. represent a new chapter in the Medal’s legacy—one that recognizes the defense of digital freedom as a defining civil cause of the 21st century. read more
