Helen Keller
Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. At 18 months old, she became ill, most likely with scarlet fever or meningitis, and was struck blind, deaf, and mute. In 1887, Keller started her education with Anne Sullivan who helped her make tremendous strides in her ability to communicate. Keller later went to Radcliff College accompanied by Sullivan who was her interpreter, and graduated in 1904 at the age of 24. After college, Keller went out into the world, improving the lives of others by sharing her experiences and working on the behalf of those living with disabilities. Keller fought for Women’s Suffrage and testified before Congress, strongly advocating for improvements in welfare for the blind. In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union. In addition, Helen Keller was a major fundraiser and supporter for the American Foundation for the Blind, a foundation which continues today to assist blind individuals with technology, education, independent living, literacy, and employment. She was also involved with other organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate such as the Permanent Blind War Relief Fund. Keller also campaigned to make Braille the standard system of reading and writing for people with vision loss instead of the four different systems being used which were causing confusion and making it difficult for the blind to communicate with each other. Due to Keller’s persistence, Braille became the standard system in 1932. She also pushed the US government to provide more assistance to the blind. President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935 which offered unemployment insurance, retirement funds, and assistance for children to the disabled. The blind were now included in the category “disabled” and could apply for financial help. Helen Keller’s world travels to thirty-five countries on five continents as a counselor of international relations for the American Foundation of Overseas Blind, changed the lives of millions of people with visual impairments, instilling in them courage and hope for the future. At age 75, Keller embarked on a 40,000 mile, five month trek, across Asia. On her visits, she made real improvements in job training and educational opportunities, supplying thousands of Braille books and books on tape to the visually impaired. Although Helen Keller died in her sleep on June 1, 1968, a few weeks before her 88th birthday, her dedication and care for others is still visible and felt around the world today. The American Foundation for the Blind and the Lion’s Club International continues to fight Helen’s battle against sight impairment and blindness, especially in third world countries. People today who are blind and those with no disabilities, see Helen Keller as a powerful role model, hero, and respected activist who labored for the betterment of others as she overcame her difficult disability with a great deal of persistence .
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox was born on June 9, 1961. Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Seven years later, he announced publicly his condition and expressed how he was committed to the campaign for an increase in Parkinson’s research. In the year 2000, he announced his retirement from the show “Spin City” saying he had new priorities, and it was the appropriate time to step away from acting. Later that year he launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The foundation’s single urgent goal is to eliminate Parkinson’s in our lifetime. Since its first year, the foundation has raised over $450 million dollars to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improve therapies for those living with the disease today. A quote from Fox which expresses his mission to help those afflicted with Parkinson’s states “Our challenges don’t define us. Our actions do.” Fox believes no one deserves to deal with this disease or deal with it alone, and asks all of us to actively fight for this cause. He explains “The cures we want aren’t going to fall from the sky. We have to get ladders and climb up and get them.” If his actions and successful foundation offering a chance at a better life for those facing Parkinson’s does not classify him as a true hero, then who is one?
Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve was born September 25, 1952 and is best remembered for his acting role as Superman. However, while this was a great career accomplishment, this is not all he should be remembered for. In 1995, he became paralyzed from the neck down in an equestrian competition and not only put a human face on spinal cord injury, but motivated neuroscientists around the world to conquer the most complex diseases of the brain and central nervous system. In 1999, Reeve became the Chairman of the Board of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that supports research to develop effective treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. As Vice Chairman of the National Organization on Disability, he worked on quality of life issues for the disabled. Additionally, in partnership with Senator Jim Jeffords, Reeve helped pass the 1999 Work Incentives Improvement Act, which allows people with disabilities to return to work and still receive disability benefits. Reeve also served on the Board of Directors of World T.E.A.M. Sports, a group that organizes and sponsors challenging sporting events for athletes with disabilities, and LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education) a charitable organization that supports education and opportunities for the underserved population. By shedding light on his own disability, Reeve not only created public awareness about the significance of medical research to fight the challenges of disabilities and find cures, but also educated families about the importance of having adequate health care and disability coverage. He was dedicated to bring about change and help people with disabilities through research and funding as well as implementing and serving on new committees to provide many opportunities for people to live the best life possible. Christopher Reeve is deserving of being recognized as a true American hero for his efforts to bring about change and for the significant imprint he made on the world through his committed funding of health research and advocacy. Unfortunately, Reeve passed away October 10, 2004 of heart failure before research found him a cure, but will forever be remembered for his persistence and good will toward others.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955 to a poor family in Chelsea, New York. The first few years of her life, she lived in a public housing project. During her lifetime, Whoopi survived poverty, drug addiction, single motherhood, and living on welfare. During her school years, she had a difficult time grasping the information being taught. Many years later, after dropping out of high school because of her self-given diagnosis of being abnormally slow, Whoopi discovered she had dyslexia. Her mother always told her she was smart and talented, and could be anything she wanted to be. So with her mother’s encouragement and her own personal dedicated drive to succeed, Whoopi persevered, becoming one of the highest paid actresses and an incredible comedian and humanitarian, proving disabilities do not have to stand in the way of success. Whoopi is a highly visible spokesperson for humanitarian causes, campaigning for the rights of children and families who are homeless and living in poverty, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and advocate for those suffering with HIV/AIDS. She has overcome adversity in her lifetime, bettering herself and the lives of millions suffering in the same situations she lived with as a child. Whoppi Goldberg is an exceptional modern day American sheroe!
Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990 in Hawaii. At the early age of eight, she began surfing, and fell in love with the sport when she entered, and won, her first surfing competition. On Halloween morning in 2003 when she was just 13, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, which bit off her left arm. Losing 60% of her blood and her arm, Bethany made it through several surgeries without infection and recovered with a positive attitude. She could have easily ended her surfing career after the accident, but just a month later, returned to the water to pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Bethany won her first national title in the Explorer Women’s Division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships and realized her dream of professional surfing in 2007. Since then, her story has been written in an autobiography and made into the 2011 movie hit, Soul Surfer. Today, Bethany is involved and active in many charitable efforts, including her own non-profit foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story. Most recently in 2013, Bethany co-hosted a weekend retreat called Beautifully Flawed, which aimed to inspire and encourage young women who have suffered the loss of a limb. She continues to touch other with her optimistic faith filled spirit through her foundation, as a motivational speaker, and as a healthy lifestyle advocate. Bethany survived an attack that nearly ended her life and never gave up on her dreams despite her life changing disability. She is the true definition of a sheroe, and a positive role model for all ages.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He became blind as a result of receiving too much oxygen in an incubator as a premature baby. However, his disability did not stop him from expressing his musical talents. By the age of 10, Wonder was singing in his church choir and taught himself how to play many instruments including the harmonica, piano, and drums. At age 12, he made his recording debut, not allowing blindness to keep him from enjoying and sharing his talent for music. In 1963, Wonder recorded his first hit single and over the next decade, he recorded several other hit songs such as “Living in the City”, and “Isn’t She Lovely”. He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his musical achievements.
Besides being a highly successful singer, songwriter, and musician, Stevie Wonder has also been a dedicated humanitarian supporting over twenty-one charities and foundations. Some of the many charities include the American Foundation for AIDS research, Children’s Health Fund, Children in Need, Habitat for Humanity, Stand Up To Cancer, Special Olympics, Music for Relief, and Race to Erase MS. Through these charities, he has supported twenty-three causes including, abuse, adoption, fostering, at-risk/disadvantaged youth, education, environment, homelessness, mental challenges, poverty, senior citizen support, substance abuse, and unemployment/career support. Wonder donated all of his proceeds for the “Shelter In the Rain” single to his own charity organization called The Wonder Foundation to help with Hurricane Katrina efforts. He also performed a duet with Bruce Springsteen on the all-star charity single for African famine relief, “We are the World”, and took part in another charity single the following year to raise money for AIDS. Wonder’s We Are You Foundation has made generous Christmas donations to the Junior Blind of America. Stevie Wonder has compassionately gone out of his way to help not only the blind, but many people all over the world, regardless of skin color, background, appearance or faith affiliation who need help to better their lives. He was honored as a recipient of the Negro College Fund Award of Excellence for his generosity and impact on humanity. Stevie Wonder is an excellent example of heroism in our nation and world today.
Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. At 18 months old, she became ill, most likely with scarlet fever or meningitis, and was struck blind, deaf, and mute. In 1887, Keller started her education with Anne Sullivan who helped her make tremendous strides in her ability to communicate. Keller later went to Radcliff College accompanied by Sullivan who was her interpreter, and graduated in 1904 at the age of 24. After college, Keller went out into the world, improving the lives of others by sharing her experiences and working on the behalf of those living with disabilities. Keller fought for Women’s Suffrage and testified before Congress, strongly advocating for improvements in welfare for the blind. In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union. In addition, Helen Keller was a major fundraiser and supporter for the American Foundation for the Blind, a foundation which continues today to assist blind individuals with technology, education, independent living, literacy, and employment. She was also involved with other organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate such as the Permanent Blind War Relief Fund. Keller also campaigned to make Braille the standard system of reading and writing for people with vision loss instead of the four different systems being used which were causing confusion and making it difficult for the blind to communicate with each other. Due to Keller’s persistence, Braille became the standard system in 1932. She also pushed the US government to provide more assistance to the blind. President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935 which offered unemployment insurance, retirement funds, and assistance for children to the disabled. The blind were now included in the category “disabled” and could apply for financial help. Helen Keller’s world travels to thirty-five countries on five continents as a counselor of international relations for the American Foundation of Overseas Blind, changed the lives of millions of people with visual impairments, instilling in them courage and hope for the future. At age 75, Keller embarked on a 40,000 mile, five month trek, across Asia. On her visits, she made real improvements in job training and educational opportunities, supplying thousands of Braille books and books on tape to the visually impaired. Although Helen Keller died in her sleep on June 1, 1968, a few weeks before her 88th birthday, her dedication and care for others is still visible and felt around the world today. The American Foundation for the Blind and the Lion’s Club International continues to fight Helen’s battle against sight impairment and blindness, especially in third world countries. People today who are blind and those with no disabilities, see Helen Keller as a powerful role model, hero, and respected activist who labored for the betterment of others as she overcame her difficult disability with a great deal of persistence .
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox was born on June 9, 1961. Fox was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Seven years later, he announced publicly his condition and expressed how he was committed to the campaign for an increase in Parkinson’s research. In the year 2000, he announced his retirement from the show “Spin City” saying he had new priorities, and it was the appropriate time to step away from acting. Later that year he launched the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The foundation’s single urgent goal is to eliminate Parkinson’s in our lifetime. Since its first year, the foundation has raised over $450 million dollars to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improve therapies for those living with the disease today. A quote from Fox which expresses his mission to help those afflicted with Parkinson’s states “Our challenges don’t define us. Our actions do.” Fox believes no one deserves to deal with this disease or deal with it alone, and asks all of us to actively fight for this cause. He explains “The cures we want aren’t going to fall from the sky. We have to get ladders and climb up and get them.” If his actions and successful foundation offering a chance at a better life for those facing Parkinson’s does not classify him as a true hero, then who is one?
Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve was born September 25, 1952 and is best remembered for his acting role as Superman. However, while this was a great career accomplishment, this is not all he should be remembered for. In 1995, he became paralyzed from the neck down in an equestrian competition and not only put a human face on spinal cord injury, but motivated neuroscientists around the world to conquer the most complex diseases of the brain and central nervous system. In 1999, Reeve became the Chairman of the Board of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that supports research to develop effective treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. As Vice Chairman of the National Organization on Disability, he worked on quality of life issues for the disabled. Additionally, in partnership with Senator Jim Jeffords, Reeve helped pass the 1999 Work Incentives Improvement Act, which allows people with disabilities to return to work and still receive disability benefits. Reeve also served on the Board of Directors of World T.E.A.M. Sports, a group that organizes and sponsors challenging sporting events for athletes with disabilities, and LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education) a charitable organization that supports education and opportunities for the underserved population. By shedding light on his own disability, Reeve not only created public awareness about the significance of medical research to fight the challenges of disabilities and find cures, but also educated families about the importance of having adequate health care and disability coverage. He was dedicated to bring about change and help people with disabilities through research and funding as well as implementing and serving on new committees to provide many opportunities for people to live the best life possible. Christopher Reeve is deserving of being recognized as a true American hero for his efforts to bring about change and for the significant imprint he made on the world through his committed funding of health research and advocacy. Unfortunately, Reeve passed away October 10, 2004 of heart failure before research found him a cure, but will forever be remembered for his persistence and good will toward others.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg was born on November 13, 1955 to a poor family in Chelsea, New York. The first few years of her life, she lived in a public housing project. During her lifetime, Whoopi survived poverty, drug addiction, single motherhood, and living on welfare. During her school years, she had a difficult time grasping the information being taught. Many years later, after dropping out of high school because of her self-given diagnosis of being abnormally slow, Whoopi discovered she had dyslexia. Her mother always told her she was smart and talented, and could be anything she wanted to be. So with her mother’s encouragement and her own personal dedicated drive to succeed, Whoopi persevered, becoming one of the highest paid actresses and an incredible comedian and humanitarian, proving disabilities do not have to stand in the way of success. Whoopi is a highly visible spokesperson for humanitarian causes, campaigning for the rights of children and families who are homeless and living in poverty, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and advocate for those suffering with HIV/AIDS. She has overcome adversity in her lifetime, bettering herself and the lives of millions suffering in the same situations she lived with as a child. Whoppi Goldberg is an exceptional modern day American sheroe!
Bethany Hamilton
Bethany Hamilton was born on February 8, 1990 in Hawaii. At the early age of eight, she began surfing, and fell in love with the sport when she entered, and won, her first surfing competition. On Halloween morning in 2003 when she was just 13, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, which bit off her left arm. Losing 60% of her blood and her arm, Bethany made it through several surgeries without infection and recovered with a positive attitude. She could have easily ended her surfing career after the accident, but just a month later, returned to the water to pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Bethany won her first national title in the Explorer Women’s Division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships and realized her dream of professional surfing in 2007. Since then, her story has been written in an autobiography and made into the 2011 movie hit, Soul Surfer. Today, Bethany is involved and active in many charitable efforts, including her own non-profit foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story. Most recently in 2013, Bethany co-hosted a weekend retreat called Beautifully Flawed, which aimed to inspire and encourage young women who have suffered the loss of a limb. She continues to touch other with her optimistic faith filled spirit through her foundation, as a motivational speaker, and as a healthy lifestyle advocate. Bethany survived an attack that nearly ended her life and never gave up on her dreams despite her life changing disability. She is the true definition of a sheroe, and a positive role model for all ages.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He became blind as a result of receiving too much oxygen in an incubator as a premature baby. However, his disability did not stop him from expressing his musical talents. By the age of 10, Wonder was singing in his church choir and taught himself how to play many instruments including the harmonica, piano, and drums. At age 12, he made his recording debut, not allowing blindness to keep him from enjoying and sharing his talent for music. In 1963, Wonder recorded his first hit single and over the next decade, he recorded several other hit songs such as “Living in the City”, and “Isn’t She Lovely”. He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 for his musical achievements.
Besides being a highly successful singer, songwriter, and musician, Stevie Wonder has also been a dedicated humanitarian supporting over twenty-one charities and foundations. Some of the many charities include the American Foundation for AIDS research, Children’s Health Fund, Children in Need, Habitat for Humanity, Stand Up To Cancer, Special Olympics, Music for Relief, and Race to Erase MS. Through these charities, he has supported twenty-three causes including, abuse, adoption, fostering, at-risk/disadvantaged youth, education, environment, homelessness, mental challenges, poverty, senior citizen support, substance abuse, and unemployment/career support. Wonder donated all of his proceeds for the “Shelter In the Rain” single to his own charity organization called The Wonder Foundation to help with Hurricane Katrina efforts. He also performed a duet with Bruce Springsteen on the all-star charity single for African famine relief, “We are the World”, and took part in another charity single the following year to raise money for AIDS. Wonder’s We Are You Foundation has made generous Christmas donations to the Junior Blind of America. Stevie Wonder has compassionately gone out of his way to help not only the blind, but many people all over the world, regardless of skin color, background, appearance or faith affiliation who need help to better their lives. He was honored as a recipient of the Negro College Fund Award of Excellence for his generosity and impact on humanity. Stevie Wonder is an excellent example of heroism in our nation and world today.