Sr. Simone Campbell, a longtime advocate for economic justice and health care policy, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in a White House ceremony July 7. In 2012, Sr. Campbell, then executive director of NETWORK, delivered an address at Niagara University as part of the annual Henry and Grace McNulty Lecture Series on Religion in the Modern World.
The series was established by the late Rev. Thomas P. McGourty, C.M., a professor of religious studies at NU, in memory of his late aunt and uncle, to address issues related to social justice and interreligious dialogue.
Sr. Simone was among 16 individuals honored for the contributions they have made to the national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other endeavors. Her role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and a series of annual Nuns on the Bus nationwide tours that she led were among the efforts noted by President Joe Biden as he presented her with the award.