In 2007, Diana Ross received recognition for contributing to American culture.
Diana Ross . She was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 , and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 . The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture ( though recipients do not need to be U.S. citizens ) . Presidential Medal of Freedom . It recognizes those people who have made `` an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States , world peace , cultural or other significant public or private endeavors '' .