Bette Midler has been named the 2026 recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize, recognizing her contributions to music and social activism. Her iconic song, initially rejected multiple times, is now celebrated as a cultural milestone, while she also participated in the 'Rise Up, Sing Out' event alongside Julia Roberts, Lily Gladstone, Patti Smith, and Jane Fonda, who criticized corporations for undermining First Amendment rights.