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Today we celebrate the heroes in our lives, unique for each person and, as a real hero, a positive force for many, many others.

National Heroes Day is a program of  AIHE - American Institute for History Education

“Children need heroes because heroes give hope; without hope they have no future.”

We each have experiences growing up with some sort of fictitious character, possibly a superhero and possibly a symbol of someone who could “save the day.” If you were like me, and as Mr. Canada shares, that symbol became empty. The fiction became real. But my hero didn’t.

I have enjoyed reading about the Harlem Children’s Zone because they have a commitment to being real heroes for the kids, not in a superhuman way but by being the parents and teachers the kids need, today, in their lives. The real impact they are having is evident.

The Harlem Children’s Zone website is: www.hcz.org.

Today I received an announcement I’d like to share:

“During Sunday’s Academy Awards broadcast, the Harlem Children’s Zone is being featured in an ad campaign for the American Express Members Project. The ad features Geoffrey Canada describing the genesis of the HCZ Project – how it grew slowly to 97 blocks as well as talking about the agency’s culture where “failure is not an option.” The 60-second ad was created by Oscar-winning director Scott Hicks and cinematographer Robert Richardson. After the premiere, it will then be part of the Members Project’s on-going ad campaign.

The Academy Awards are set to air at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC. In case you miss it, we will post the ad on our website on Monday.

The Members Project is an innovative online initiative that provides those with an interest in giving back an opportunity to take small steps to make a big difference.”

UPDATE: You can view the ad (for a while I guess) at: http://www.hcz.org/press/news/292-hcz-at-the-oscars

For more information, visit: http://www.heroes4us.com/heroesfairtips.pdf

This bronze statue to the memory of Elizabeth Blackwell has been erected in the Campus of the former Geneva Medical College (now the Hobart and William Smith College) where she was admitted in 1847 – after having been refused by sixteen medical schools! – and graduated in 1849, becoming the first woman physician of the United States1.

The explanation of the bronze tablet in front of the monument reads as follows: “ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, M.D. / 1821-1910 / Admitted to the Medical School of Geneva (now Hobart) / College in 1847 and graduated, first in her class, two / years later, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female / physician in the United States. Her life was devoted / to women’s and children’s health care, reproductive / education, and to opening the medical profession to women”.

http://himetop.wikidot.com/elizabeth-blackwell-s-monument

“Jane Addams Hull House Association is the direct descendent of the settlement house founded by Jane Addams in 1889. In the words of our founder, our purpose is to “Aid in the solutions of life in a great city, to help our neighbors build responsible, self-sufficient lives for themselves and their families.” We carry on this mission today as one of Chicago’s oldest and largest social and human service agencies.”

Read more at: http://www.hullhouse.org/aboutus/history.html

The Nobel Peace Prize 1931

“(Laura) Jane Addams (September 6, 1860-May 21, 1935) won worldwide recognition in the first third of the twentieth century as a pioneer social worker in America, as a feminist, and as an internationalist.”

Read more about Jane Addams and her recognition at: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1931/index.html

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” - Anton Chekov

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To kick off the process of acting with what you learn here, I’ll share this web site with you:

The Changemakers initiative aims to identify the leading activists, elected officials, authors, bloggers, actors and thought leaders who have the greatest capacity to spark change on issues of importance.

Selected Changemakers will be invited to tap into Change.org’s network of more than a million readers and activists and thousands of nonprofit and blog partners to drive further social action.

from: http://www.change.org/changemakers

On the Change.org web site, you can explore the work of an organization that seeks to inform us about real people today who are having positive impacts on the lives of others. One way you can get involved is to learn about their Changemakers and provide feedback with your votes. Then we invite you to explore each person’s work – to find how you can get contribute further or act in a similar way within your community.

“Roberto Clemente’s story is a study in character and drive and the ascendancy of man to myth. It provides a unique glimpse into the America of his time, the game known as “America’s Pastime,” and the heroism that transcends both.”

The Smithsonian is providing a traveling exhibit on Roberto Clemente. On the web site, below, you can find more information about Roberto and the exhibit. There are some very interesting videos online too!

http://www.robertoclemente.si.edu

Image located on: http://www.sites.si.edu/images/exhibits/Roberto%20Clemente/slideshow/pages/robertoPortrait1957_jpg.htm