The annual Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal Ceremony was held at the Eleanor Roosevelt Historic Site in Hyde Park on Sunday. 

"As Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy organization we have a bold charge; we're picking up where she left off in her quest for a more just and equitable world. We are her voice and her conscience, and when faced with a decision — no matter how large or small — we always question what would Eleanor do?" said April Gozza, the executive director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill.

The five medal recipients beamed with joy as they were presented with medals in honor of the late first lady who called Hyde Park home. 

Those medalists were Lisa Lutoff-Perlo of Celebrity Cruises, John and Gloria Golden — lifelong residents of Hyde Park — Zainab Salbi a humanitarian and champion for women's rights, and Chelsea Clinton for her public health advocacy.

But all eyes were glued on one special guest in the room. 

Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was the 1995 winner of the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill medal. Hillary presented her daughter with the same award, making them the first mother and daughter to receive the medal in the award's 32 year history.

"It is a delight and an honor to present the Val-Kill medal to one of the gutsiest women I know, my daughter Chelsea," Hillary said. 

The former first lady reflected on the meaning of the award.

"We sit here in this beautiful setting in this historic place, hearing incredibly inspirational words I hope we will carry with us when we leave, because we have a lot of work to do to restore the hope that Eleanor Roosevelt gave the world all those years ago," Hillary said. 

Chelsea also reflected on Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership.

"There's no space to be anything but optimistic — even in this moment of horror and disappointment in our leaders, because we've had leaders like Eleanor Roosevelt before and we will again," Chelsea said.

Salbi says she's emotional about the recognition. 

"I'm an immigrant, I'm a woman of color, I'm a Muslim. For me to get the Eleanor Roosevelt award, it's not only beautiful, it's not only a great honor, it is a testament of the great American values," Salbi said. 

Philanthropists and lifelong Hyde Park residents John and Gloria Golden have a special connection to the Roosevelts.

"[We're] probably one of the few couples here that remember Mrs. Roosevelt well. We've visited here many times and had dinner here with Mrs. Roosevelt," John said.