Rock Steady

Harris, Hatch, Lawrence, Collins Introduce Bill to Award Aretha Franklin with Congressional Gold Medal

Aretha Franklin’s music served as a 1960s call to action that inspired thousands to join civil rights movements and still maintains a social context that resonates across these movements today. Beyond her contributions to music and arts, Franklin was a philanthropic individual who supported causes related to civil rights, human health, and gender equality, in addition to causes within the creative arts.