Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is known for more than just her singing. However, she is best known for being a popular R&B superstar. Last Wednesday, February 22, she was named the 2017 Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year for her Charity Work. The award will be presented in person to the 29-year-old singer on February 28 during a ceremony at the university.

Rihanna's charity work

The faculty and students of the Harvard Foundation selected Rihanna to receive the award because of her generous contributions. Rihanna's charity work in her country includes building a state-of-the-art center for oncology and nuclear medicine.

This enables doctors to diagnose and treat breast cancer patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. In 2012, the popular singer also set up a scholarship program named after her grandparents. The Clara and Lionel Foundation Scholarship Program helps Caribbean girls study and get a better education in the United States. The singer and actress also supports the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen Project that enables children to be educated in more than 60 countries.

Rihanna is not the only well-known celebrity who has been a recipient. Another singer, Lionel Richie, has also been a Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year as well as actor James Earl Jones, activist Malala Yousafzai, four U.N.

secretaries general, and the late tennis player and activist Arthur Ashe.

Singer and actress

Rihanna rose to fame in 2005 with her first album "Music of the Sun." Since then she has been very successful by selling more than 200 million records and scoring 14 number-one hits. The Barbados native has received many awards, including 8 Grammy Awards, 12 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and 8 People's Choice Awards, among others.

Throughout her career, the singer has performed numerous concerts and benefits to raise money for her charities. In 2008, she gave a concert called "A Girl's Night Out" for the Believe Foundation. In 2012, the singer performed at a benefit show at the House of Blues and raised money for the Children's Orthopaedic Center and the Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children's Hospital. When natural disasters occur, Rihanna can be counted on to help. After Hurricane Sandy in November 2012, she donated $100,000 to food banks.