Maya Angelou
|
| American Poet and Civil Rights Activist, 1928 – 2014 |
| for sharing her sensible observations of human behavior, while garnering deep wisdom during her lifetime that serves the equality and betterment of mankind well into the future. |
| Sir David Frederick Attenborough |
| British Naturalist and Television Host, born 1926 |
| for teaching the world that to love nature, one must know as much as possible about it, therefore bringing the true value of our natural environment to countless homes, and for introducing animals, plants and landscapes to millions, if not billions of people, making them richer in the process. |
Menachem Begin
|
| Israeli Politician, 1913 – 1992 |
| for his factual effort to re-establish communication with Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, resulting in the signing of a peace treaty in 1979. |
| Siddhattha Gotama, aka. Buddha |
| Indian Spiritual Leader, ca. 5th – 4th Century BCE |
| for starting the Buddhist Movement and forever remaining a symbol of kindness, “Buddha” has been revered as the most widely recognized master of wisdom and peace throughout world population. |
Dom Helder Camara
|
| Brazilian Archbishop, 1909 – 1999 |
| for his defense of anti-violence, and for the installation of his often critical views towards the Vatican, therefore opening minds and softening formerly established attitudes. |
| Jimmy Carter |
| 39th President of the United States, born 1924 |
| for his post-Presidency achievements via various charities, but most prominently his steady, if not fierce engagement and hands-on work through Habitat for Humanity® |
| Jesus of Nazareth, aka. Jesus Christ |
| Jewish Spiritual Leader, ca. 4 BC – ca. AD 30/33 |
| for his teachings of kindness, acceptance, forgiveness and equality, his unbending dogma of humanity to benefit his followers, despite a forbidding political climate in his immediate environment. |
Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
|
| Tibetan Buddhist Spiritual Leader, born 1935 |
| for his gentle guidance towards a loving, caring, peaceful society, and for his sensible teachings and words of encouragement and wisdom for daily life in any given society. |
Henry Dunant
|
| Swiss Humanitarian, 1828 – 1910 |
| for his relentless strive towards helping human beings, which ultimately led him to establish the International Red Cross, and later in life earning him the first ever Nobel Peace Prize. |
| Albert Einstein |
| Swiss American Physicist, 1879 – 1955 |
| for recognizing the inherent danger of nuclear weapons, and for promoting peaceful conflict resolutions between countries because of it. |
| Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia |
| Hungarian German Princess, 1207 – 1231 |
| for valuing her subjects’ lives more than her husband’s treasures, and for serving her people in a hospital she built, making her a revered role model to individuals with charitable aspirations. |
| Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, aka. Francis of Assisi |
| Italian Friar, 1181 or 1182 – 1226 |
| for being an ardent nature lover, and for bringing to our attention that all living creatures need our compassion, protection and love, as the original environmentalist in the best way possible. |
| Jorge Mario Bergoglio, aka. Pope Francis |
| Argentinian Priest, born 1936 |
| for his modern, popular ideas and unorthodox approach to the papacy, making his dogma easier to understand and accept, while working towards justice and unity beyond the Catholic Church. |
| Jacque Fresco |
| American Visionary, 1916 – 2017 |
| for giving deep and practical thought on the structure of society, which he sought to improve via modern urban design and a resource driven economy, and with that, inspiring countless others. |
| Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, aka. Mahatma Gandhi |
| Indian Lawyer, 1869 – 1948 |
| for proving that civil disobedience can liberate an entire subcontinent from political suppression and exploitation, leading his country to independence largely without the use of violence. |
| Bob Geldof |
| Irish Singer, born 1951 |
| for using his influence as a popular singer/musician, to reach unprecedented crowds and therefore donations, during a spontaneous music festival that was created to benefit victims of famine in Africa. |
| Steve Hartman |
| American Journalist, born 1963 |
| for showing the world that good news are not only well received but they continue to inspire others, and through some yet to be explained human law of behavior, elevate society as a whole. |
| Audrey Hepburn |
| British Actress, 1929 – 1993 |
| for her humanitarian work with children in poor regions, bringing with her not only hope, but life skills along with donations of food, medicine and other goods, often under precarious circumstances. |
| Hussein of Jordan, aka. King Hussein |
| Jordanian King, 1935 – 1999 |
| for his commitment not only to the population in his own country, but also for striving towards international peace as an enabler and facilitator. |
| Cat Stephens, aka. Yusuf Islam |
| British Singer & Song Writer, born 1948 |
| for demonstrating that the peace train can keep rolling in a world of controversy, libel and discrimination, and that its engineer continues to transport charity to its destination on schedule. |
| Immanuel Kant |
| German Philosopher, 1724 – 1804 |
| for laying the groundwork on which the ‘Democratic Peace Theory’ is founded, and as for individual influence, it’s best noted that he promoted moral and free thinking, in absence of authority. |
| Martin Luther King |
| American Minister, 1929 – 1968 |
| for living “the Dream” that made him a famous positive force by preaching equality and human rights for all, during every single minute of his life, with every breath, and by all available non-violent means. |
| John Lennon |
| English Musician, 1940 – 1980 |
| for using his immensely popular music to promote the spread of a more accepting, tolerant, peaceful, loving and healthy society, knowing very well the impact that his own popularity could make. |
| Nelson Mandela |
| South African Political Leader, 1918 – 2013 |
| for never giving up on the idea of a liberation of blacks in South Africa and the urgency that came with it, and to finally see it through despite his own imprisonment and personal sacrifices. |
| Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, aka. Mother Teresa |
| Albanian-Indian Nun, 1910 – 1997 |
| for her altruistic work with the most destitute members of the communities she served, regardless of politically induced criticism, and for giving hope to otherwise largely neglected individuals. |
| Linus and Ava Pauling |
| American Chemist, 1901 – 1994 and American Human Rights Activist, 1903 – 1981 |
| for becoming outspoken activists against testing and the use of nuclear weapons, and for recognizing the need to end all wars and their detriments to mankind. |
| Gene Roddenberry |
| American Television Producer 1921 – 1991 |
| for the inception of the ‘Star Trek’ TV show that’s set within a future peaceful society, and for being the catalyst for the fictional characters of Capt. Jean Luc Picard and Capt. Kathryn Janeway. |
| Fred McFeely Rogers, aka. Mister Rogers |
| American TV Personality, 1928 – 2003 |
| for recognizing the importance of and implementing psychologically and emotionally uplifting children’s programming, and for being everybody’s best neighbor. |
| Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, aka. Rumi |
| Persian Poet, 1207 – 1273 |
| for his teachings of encompassing love within all living things, and for encouraging others to seek their ideal form: a human being with humility, faith, kindness, servitude and acceptance. |
| Anwar el-Sadat |
| Egyptian President, 1918 – 1981 |
| for successfully trying to steer his country towards peace with neighboring Israel, and for leaving himself open for communication with Menachem Begin, to form a better morale in the region. |
| Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
| French Aristocrat, 1900 – 1944 |
| for inspiring millions of readers, helping them to recognize and deal with their emotions through his fictional character of “The Little Prince”, while piloting through a major atrocious war himself. |
| Br. Roger Schütz |
| Swiss Monk and Prior, 1915 – 2005 |
| for embracing the notion of poverty and humility as crucial ingredients for a life of peace and kindness, even during a climate of dangerous international conflict and betrayal of human rights. |
| Albert Schweitzer |
| German French Humanitarian, 1875 – 1965 |
| for his continuous effort to help others through his countless humanitarian missions in both Europe and Africa with great compassion for the poor and infirm, while being a constant critic of colonialism. |
| Theodore Geisel, aka. Dr. Seuss |
| American Children’s Author, 1904 – 1991 |
| for caring enough about all our children to figure out a way to easily and humorously convey humanity, morals and positive thinking through the characters of stories in his many children’s books. |
| Ben Stein |
| American Lawyer and Writer, born 1944 |
| for his voice of justice and reason on important socioeconomic concerns, as well as being an outspoken defender of human liberties, equality and the compassion for all life. |
| Desmond Tutu |
| South African Archbishop, born 1931 |
| for his role in overturning Apartheid, bringing his discussions and pleas to the international community and garnering support for the liberation and independence of blacks in South Africa. |
| Laozi, aka. Lao Tzu |
| Chinese Philosopher, ca. 6th – 4th Century BC |
| for positively influencing and guiding seekers of truth and light, by way of his numerous sensible writings and delicate philosophy, thus inspiring readers to think free and to think further. |
| Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales |
| British Princess, 1961 – 1997 |
| for seeing to her charitable work with compassion, humility and grace, having been fully aware of the positive impact of her name recognition while using it to further those causes close to her heart. |
| Elie Wiesel |
| Romanian-American Writer, 1928 – 2016 |
| for his constant message and urgent plea for a more humane society, tirelessly defending human rights, dignity and civility, even and especially in the face of difficult times. |
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