Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first Chief of Astronomy

Many people’s accomplishments have been overlooked in history, but none more than the achievements of women. Here are a few examples of female pioneers who beat the odds, succeeding in their fields against all expectations despite the gender bias they suffered in their day.  Alessandra Giliani (1307-1326) Alessandra Giliani was an Italian anatomist in the […]

Mother Jones, 1924

She may not have looked threatening, but Mary G. Harris – known as “Mother Jones” – was such an indomitable activist that a US attorney once labeled her “the most dangerous woman in America.” Today, the political magazine Mother Jones is named in her honor as a symbol of passionate activism. Early life Born in […]

“Every single one of us can make a difference.”

MINA GULI
Dr. Jack Preger at work in Calcutta in 1982

Dr. Jack Preger provided free healthcare to more than half a million people on the streets of Kolkata for over 40 years. This British doctor’s mission is “to serve those most in need whatever their caste or religion,” according to Calcutta Rescue, the charity he established in Kolkata, India.  Dr Jack started Calcutta Rescue in 1980 to […]

live-saving work in Ukraine

The news from the Ukrainian front isn’t good. But many people there are doing great deeds with little or no recognition. These heroes are the doctors, nurses, and volunteers who are providing frontline trauma and medical care to those injured in combat and deployed personnel. Currently in Ukraine, medics put their own lives in danger […]

Mark Pollock

By now everyone’s heard of Mark Pollock. He is blind and paralyzed but is optimistic about finding a cure for paralysis. Pollock is Chairman of Collaborative Cures, which works to “bring people together to cure paralysis in our lifetime.” The charity gathers scientists, investors, and philanthropists to collaborate on innovative research and make treatments accessible […]

Mina Guli running in Paris

June 5th is Global Running Day. Today, Wonder Woman for Water Mina Guli, CEO of Thirst Foundation, has embarked on yet another journey to highlight the need for healthy, restored rivers worldwide.  Mina is a water advocate, ultra marathon endurance runner and speaker, who believes that “every single one of us can make a difference.” […]

Marc Chagall

“Immigrants contribute mightily to the economy, by paying billions in annual taxes, by filling low-wage jobs that keep domestic industry competitive, and by spurring investment and job-creation, revitalizing once-decaying communities.” That’s what a summary of important research shows about unemployment and immigration. Such famous immigrants as actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, physicist Albert Einstein, and […]

Elizabeth Blackwell

History is full of examples of prejudices based on the inexplicable “rationale” that some people are born “lesser” (in other words, non-white, non-male, of different beliefs, lifestyles, or nationality) but one woman, Elizabeth Blackwell, exemplifies the juxtaposition of such limited mindsets with those able to see past others’ limitations. Born in England in 1821, Elizabeth […]

people power

Do you know why Amnesty International, the non-governmental organization that campaigns for human rights for all and fights injustice in the world, was formed? It was founded because one man appealed for justice for individuals sent to prison for simply having expressed their opinions. Other individuals or groups have also acted on a small scale […]