Though we Star Trek fans know Michelle Yeoh as the badass and beloved Philippa Georgiou from Star Trek: Discovery and, soon, Section 31, she has had an incredibly successful career outside Star Trek. Her role as Evelyn Quan Wang in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first ever Asian Woman to win the award. Though that was a huge honor just this past week Yeoh was bestowed with an even bigger honor: The Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

JFK established this award for “any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security of national interests of the United States or world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.” It’s one of the highest honors that can be given to an American Citizen, and it was just awarded to Michelle Yeoh. The other honorees included former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Al Gore, Olympic Swimmer  Katie Ledecky, entrepreneur Micheal Bloomberg, and the Chief Scientist behind the James Webb telescope Jane Rigby. 

Here is what Biden had to say at the ceremony about Yeoh:

For decades, and on and off the screen, Michelle Yeoh has shattered stereotypes and glass ceilings to enrich and enhance American culture. Her roles transcend gender, cultures, and languages. From martial arts, to romantic comedies, to science fiction, to show us what we all have in common. As the first Asian actor to win an Oscar as Best Actress, she bridges cultures to not only entertain, but also inspire and open hearts and that’s what she keeps doing. Congratulations.

Yeoh definitely deserves this honor and many more. She has had a truly amazing and inspiring career. We here at DSTN are so proud of Yeoh and all that she has accomplished and look forward to seeing her in the up and coming Section 31 movie!