Introduction … What makes a Hero

It is oh so easy in this day & age to succumb to society’s all too prevalent inundations of fear and negativity; all too easy for us to focus on what is broken in our politics, what is wrong with our neighborhoods, or what is seemingly dangerous in our surroundings.  It seems that no matter […]

Hero #001: Hank Aaron … (06/02/16)

Henry “Hank” Aaron is a retired American Major League Baseball player who played 21 seasons for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and two seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers. Aaron held the record for career home runs for 33 years, and he still holds several other MLB offensive records – all of which he accomplished while receiving persistent […]

Hero #002: Edward Abbey … (06/01/16)

Hero #22: Edward Abbey … Born in 1927, Abbey was a controversial American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of the environment, his criticism of public land policies, and his radical political views. His best-known works include the novel The Monkey Wrench Gang, which has been cited as an inspiration behind the founding of […]

Hero #003: Arnold Abbott … (05/31/16)

In 1991, in honor of his late wife, Arnold Abbott started the “Love Thy neighbor Fund,” an organization which continues the work they often did together – feeding the homeless.  In spite of this most-noble cause – and in spite of the fact that he is now (as of January 2018) in his early 90’s, […]

Hero #004: Jane Addams … (05/30/16)

Jane Addams, known as the “mother” of social work, was a pioneer American settlement activist, social worker, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in both the women’s suffrage and world peace movements. Addams also helped America focus on and address issues that were of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children and local […]

Hero #005: Albert Schweitzer … (05/29/16)

Schweitzer was a philosopher, a doctor and a scientist (also a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, though that award has lost most of its luster of late) who dedicated the vast majority of his life to selflessly serving humanity. His work transcended national allegiances and his theology transcended religious dogma. He was a model example of […]

Hero #006: Dale “Happy” American Horse … (05/28/16)

Dale “Happy” American Horse Jr. is a Native American (Lakota Sioux) activist, who gained notoriety by being one of the first Dakota Access Pipeline protestors (known as Water Protectors) to engage in an act of open civil disobedience for the cause … On August 31, 2016, after people from all over the United States had […]

Hero #007: Amma … (05/27/16)

Born Sudhamani Idamannel in September of 1953, Amma is a Hindu spiritual leader and healing presence … After her formal education ended at the age of nine, she began to take care of her younger siblings and the family domestic work full-time. As part of her chores, Amma would gather food scraps from neighbours for […]

Hero #008: A.L.F. activists … (05/26/16)

The Animal Liberation Front (A.L.F.) is an international, underground, leaderless resistance organization that engages in direct action (both legal & illegal) in pursuit of animal liberation. Activists see themselves as a modern-day Underground Railroad, physically removing animals from laboratories and farms, secretly videotaping animal abuse & acts of animal cruelty, destroying animal-incarceration facilities, arranging safe […]

Hero #009: Anthony Cymerys … (05/25/16)

Anthony Cymerys, every Wednesday — at the age of 82, brings his chair, his clippers and a car battery to power those clippers to a local park in Hartford, Connecticut. He then “sets up shop” and gives free haircuts to the homeless — never accepting any money for his work; only “charging” a hug. It […]

Hero #010: Arthur Ashe … (05/24/16)

Born in 1943, Arthur Ashe was an American professional tennis player and social activist. Over the course of his career he won three Grand Slam singles titles, dozens of other tournaments, and peaked at #2 in the ATP computer rankings in May of 1976. An African American, Ashe was the first black player selected to […]