Jane Rigby, of Silver Spring, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday.
Rigby is an astronomer and “chief scientist of the world’s most powerful telescope,” according to a White House press release, which also referred to her as a prolific researcher.”
She works at Goddard Space Flight Center as a senior project scientist with the James Webb Space Telescope.
The day after she received the nation’s highest civilian honor from President Joe Biden, she posted on social media, “I woke up Saturday and thought I’d dreamed it. Then took a long walk along the creek and let it all settle in my brain.”
She also posted, “I’m so proud to be the scientific leader of the *Amazing* Webb team. Webb is showing us our place in the cosmic story, and reminds humanity of what we can achieve when we work together. So humbling to meet these amazing Medal of Freedom awardees.”
Councilmember Evan Glass posted that Rigby “embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.”
Dr. Jane Rigby will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom today! She’s being honored for her role in Webb’s success and her work in diversity & inclusion in science. Dr. Rigby & her team’s work have enabled groundbreaking discoveries around the world: https://t.co/IJCFT4V08c pic.twitter.com/ZWai78Q70b
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) May 3, 2024
Yesterday, Dr. Jane Rigby and Dr. Ellen Ochoa received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the @WhiteHouse for their work to broaden our horizons of discovery, both on Earth and beyond our home planet: https://t.co/utf7kSNP9d pic.twitter.com/P0ASbaubzV
— NASA (@NASA) May 4, 2024
So honored to meet @katieledecky and the other Medal of Freedom recipients. We’ll be cheering you on for Paris, Katie! pic.twitter.com/B5ygQnYGmb
— Jane Rigby (@janerrigby) May 5, 2024
Congratulations to my friend and neighbor @janerrigby on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom! As the chief scientist of the @NASAWebb Telescope, Jane embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder💫 🪐 🔭 pic.twitter.com/eeMrnXESUw
— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) May 6, 2024
