It was an amazing, star-studded experience full of pinch-me moments. I was with my family at the White House to celebrate Dr. Henrietta Mann — my mom — as a 2021 recipient of the National Humanities Medal. President Joe Biden presented the medals in a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony in a magnificent room in the East Wing. So wonderful and so memorable! And to make the occasion extra special, the city was dressed up for the occasion with the famous cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. 

Henrietta Mann with Turtle Gift

When the Whitemans connect, it usually involves gift giving. Henrietta loves turtles, bison, and butterflies. As a joke, I gave her a tortoise call bell. We roared! Her niece Susie later hid the bell for fear Henrietta would use it. 

Henrietta is a serious fashionista. For the ceremonies she commissioned two Native dresses designed to shine a light on her Cheyenne heritage. In her usual style, rhinestone-studded, black cat-eye glasses completed the ensembles. Over the top!

Our first event was a celebratory dinner at the historic 1819 Decatur House, President and Mrs. Kennedy rallied to save the house, and it’s now a museum run by the White House Historical Association.

The Decatur House was also the setting for a pre-dinner videotaped interview. When asked what it means to receive the Humanities Medal, Henrietta said, “I never ever thought that I would be honored by this country that my ancestors were first to love via one of the medalists for the National Humanities award. It is heartwarming. It goes back to my beloved ancestors and forward to those great-great-grandchildren who have yet to come walk on this land. Their honor. Not mine.”  

At the elegant dinner we were seated with Daryl Baldwin (Kinwalaniihsia), with the National Council on the Humanities; Jen Hughes, with the National Endowment for the Arts; Judith Baca, a 2021 Medal of the Arts recipient; and Sanjit Sethi, with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree – MI, was one of the first to greet Henrietta.

  

 
We still didn’t know who the other medal recipients were, so imagine our surprise when Shawn Spruce (Laguna Pueblo) and Jaclyn Sallee (Inupiaq) from Native America Calling (NAC) walked in. NAC was among the 2021 Humanities medalists honored for their “contributions in strengthening the nation-to-nation relationship and educating the American public on Indigenous issues.” NAC is the first Indigenous organization to receive a medal. Henrietta is the first Indigenous academic to receive a medal.

In all, there are 24 recipients of the 2021 National Humanities Medal and National Medal of Arts. These are Biden’s first round of humanities awards and were delayed by the pandemic. In the extraordinary Humanities group are Amy Tan, Colson Whitehead, Ann Patchett, Tara Westover, and Sir Elton John (no, we didn’t get to meet him — his medal was awarded separately in September 2022).  

 
Several Medal of Arts recipients attended the celebratory dinner, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joan Shigekawa, and Vera Wang. Jaws dropped when it was announced that among the arts honorees were Bruce Springsteen and Gladys Knight who would be at the White House the next day.

As the party was winding down, we got a special surprise. Phylicia Rashad — actor, activist, humanitarian, and now dean of the College of Fine Arts and first holder of the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities at Howard University — approached our group to congratulate Shawn, Jaclyn, and Henrietta. There was warmth, compassion, and discussion about her career at Howard. We were so pleased she agreed to be photographed with our group.

The next day, March 21, was packed. First up were COVID tests — of course, we all had COVID test jitters, and we all passed. Then came layers of security going into the White House; photo ops with the president, vice president, and their spouses; the medal ceremony; and pre- and post-ceremony receptions. 

In an epic “pinch-me” moment, we entered the White House, greeted by dignified military escorts. A violinist and guitarist were playing “Blackbird” by the Beatles. We strolled down a corridor and up to a large room on the second floor, where the Marine Band was playing “Pure Imagination.”  

 
While the medalists were briefed on the ceremony in the East Room, their guests — including children, spouses, friends, and partners — were escorted to the State Dining Room to enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. 

 
As families waited there for a photo with President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Second Gentlemen Douglas Emhoff, I asked Jen Hughes if we could meet the Springsteens, saying “Henrietta would love to meet The Boss.” When Jen spotted them and waved us over, Henrietta found her wheels. She walked right up to Bruce and Patty, who were very gracious. Bruce gave Henrietta a warm hug and a couple of kisses. Lucky gal! 

 
As we waited in line, the family was instructed where to stand for the group photo – one person here, one person there, two here. It was planned for every tiny detail. Of course, Henrietta stood between President Biden and Kamala Harris. After the photo was taken, she boldly asked the president for a job and “when could she start?” He said, “Okay. Tomorrow.” The room roared.

Then the family members were directed to the East Room to designated seats. Again, Henrietta was held back to wait with the other medalists. Kamala Harris and all the medalists made a grand entrance as the theme from “Out of Africa” played. When the band struck up “Hail to the Chief,” President Biden and Dr. Jill entered the room last. See the ceremony here: https://www.neh.gov/news/2021-national-humanities-medals.

 

President Biden led a medal ceremony sprinkled with gravity, humor, smiles, and laughter. A citation describing each medalist was pronounced before President Biden awarded the individual medals. When the ceremony was over, everyone mingled at a post-event reception. The air was electric. Vera Wang, Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson (Reverend Jesse’s son), and others wanted photos with Henrietta. 

 

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After a busy day, we took Cinderella home.

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The next day we visited the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) where Henrietta served as a founding board member. We watched Dennis Zotigh’s (Kiowa). Potomac room cultural presentation where he serves as a Cultural Specialist. Students from Riverside Indian School in Oklahoma who were on their spring break greeted Henrietta. We also crossed paths with Joe Connolly’s family Cynthia (Little Traverse Bay Odawa), Cora (Little Traverse Bay Odawa and Haudenosaunee), age 8, left, and Vivian (Traverse Bay Odawa and Haudenosaunee), age 10, right.

 
We held a celebratory dinner near the U.S. Capitol. The restaurant delivered a special dessert with a sparkling party candle. Henrietta was overjoyed.

 
 

We all got a little misty knowing we had been part of a once-in-a-lifetime occasion with a special “Cheyenne girl” from little ole Hammon, Oklahoma. In retrospect, the whole experience was simply incredible! The 46th president of the United States awarded one of our nation’s highest honors to a living descendant of survivors of the Sand Creek and Washita Massacres. Henrietta has been a truth seeker and truth teller her entire life and career.

I think Henrietta’s ancestors would be proud and happy for her. I know I am.

Author: Montoya Whiteman (Cheyenne and Arapaho), Managing Director of Editorial and Special Projects at AISES

Photo Credits: Jackie Whiteman, Montoya Whiteman