Earlier this month, four new portraits went on view at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

They're this year's recipients of the Portrait of America Award for their transformative contributions to American history and culture.

One of them is Temple Grandin.

She's not only transformed animal welfare around the world, she's also changing

the public reception of people with autism. This weekend spotlight is part of our ongoing

coverage of the intersection of arts and health, part of our Canvas series.

She's a giant. I mean, she is a legend. Artist David Lenz painted the portrait of Temple Grandin.

I wanted people to come into the museum and see a beautiful portrait of a person who's done

amazing work who also happens to have autism.

It depicts Grandin wearing her trademark outfit, an embroidered shirt in bolow tie.

And, of course, she's on a cattle farm surrounded by livestock.

They have very beautiful eyes.

It's easy to see that these are warm-blooded, feeling animals that are worthy of our humane

treatment.

The humane treatment of livestock has been Grandin's life's work.

As a child, she didn't speak until she was nearly four.

The doctors who diagnosed her with autism recommended putting her in an institution.

Her mother refused.

Now Grandin considers her unique mind her greatest strength.

Her perspective was key to her groundbreaking

redesign of cattle handling facilities to eliminate things that could frighten or unnerve livestock.

Today, her principles guide the way nearly half of cattle in North America are handled.

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