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Culture
Solidarité
Francophonie
Promouvoir la culture, oeuvrer pour la paix, distinguer les mérites.
Promote culture, work for peace, recognize merit.
On April 16, 2026, the American Delegation of La Renaissance Française awarded gold medals to four individuals whose achievements in advancing the French language and francophone cultures have strengthened global understanding in the United States. Consul General Cédrik Fouriscot and Delegation President Margot Steinhart presided at the ceremony at the French Consulate in New York, honoring Donald Zilkha (NY), Linda Witt (OR), Agnès Ndiaye Tounkara (NY), and Francine Saltoun (IL).
 Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York, Linda Witt, Donald Zilkha, Agnés Ndiaye Tounkara, Claire Calkins, Conery Hoffman, and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  La Renaissance Française medals. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Jennifer Herlein, French Heritage Society, and Jeri Sape, LRF USA Patron. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |
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 Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York, Donald Zilkha, and members of the Zilkha family. ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York, Donald Zilkha, recipient of the Médaille de la Renaissance Française – Or, and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Jennifer Herlein, French Heritage Society, Matthew Wyatt, LRF USA Treasurer, Edward Wallace, French American Foundation, and Jeri Sape, LRF USA Patron. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |
 Conery Hoffman and Claire Calkins, representing Francine Saltoun, recipient of the Médaille de Solidarité et Valeur – Or. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President, Edward Wallace, French American Foundation, Jennifer Herlein, French Heritage Society, and Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |
 Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York, Agnés Ndiaye Tounkara, recipient of the Médaille des Valeurs Francophones – Or, and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President, FINISH Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President, and Linda Witt, recipient of the Médaille du Rayonnement Culturel – Or. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |
 Margot Steinhart, President, LRF USA, addresses honorees and other guests in the Salon Rose, overlooking Central Park. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Eileen Walvoord, LRF USA Vice President, and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |  Matthew Wyatt, LRF USA Treasurer, Cédrik Fouriscot, Consul Général de France à New York, Eileen Walvoord, LRF USA Vice President, Elaine Leary, LRF USA Board Member, and Margot Steinhart, LRF USA President. Copyright 2026 ©Anne Vandycke, All rights reserved |
 Francine Saltoun, recipient of the Médaille de Solidarité et Valeur – Or. |
2025 Awards Recipients
Join us in celebrating the exceptional achievements of the 2025 recipients of La Renaissance Française, USA. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding dedication and talent in their respective fields.
Check back soon for biographies!
Médaille de la Renaissance Française – Or
Monsieur Donald ZILKHA
Bio here
Médaille de Solidarité et Valeur – Or
Madame Francine SALTOUN
Bio here
Médaille des Valeurs Francophones – Or
Madame Agnès NDIAYE TOUNKARA
Bio here
Médaille du Rayonnement Culturel – Or
Bio here
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