On May 16, 2026, the Ellis Island Honors Society was privileged to welcome several distinguished Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients to the stage during our annual ceremony on Ellis Island. We are proud and deeply grateful that these remarkable honorees accepted our invitation to address our guests, sharing their voices, their stories, and their reflections on an evening dedicated to service, heritage, and the enduring promise of America.
EIHS was honored to have Rosie Rios address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026 on Ellis Island.
Rosie Rios served our nation as the 43rd treasurer of the united states, with her signature on over a trillion dollars in US currency. Today, as chair of America250, she leads the national effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence. Ms. Rios received her medal in 2025 and EIHS is proud to have her as a valued member of our board.
EIHS was honored to have Maria Teresa Kumar address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026, on Ellis Island.
Maria Teresa Kumar is the president and CEO of Voto Latino, a national organization focused on civic engagement, voter registration, and empowering the next generation of Latino leaders.Born in Colombia and raised in the United States, Maria Teresa’s own American story has inspired a lifetime of public service, advocacy, and commitment to creating opportunity for all.
EIHS was honored to have The Honorable Mike Pompeo address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026 on Ellis Island.
EIHS was honored to have Richard Salomon address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026 on Ellis Island.
EIHS was honored to have Dr. Billy Hudson address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026, on Ellis Island.
Dr. Billy Hudson rose from poverty and hardship in rural Arkansas, overcoming obstacles including leaving high school before graduation. Through extraordinary determination, he not only went to medical school, he is now the Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology and the Elliott V. Newman Professor of Medicine. His research has advanced our understanding of how the body is built, maintained, and repaired and has opened new pathways in biomedical science.
EIHS was honored to have Gen. Mike Guetlein address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026, on Ellis Island.
EIHS was honored to have Reema Khan address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026 on Ellis Island.
EIHS was honored to have Sarah Friar address our guests at the 2026 Ellis Island Medals of Honor ceremony held on May 16, 2026 on Ellis Island.