On Monday, CNN will announce the 10 Heroes chosen from more than 2,500 nominations from all over the world. What can you do to support them?
Polls are being taken as the People’s Choice, with the winner announced on Monday. We all have the chance to vote on who we think should be honored. Remember, your vote counts the same as everyone else’s. So vote and spread the word!
Please click the “sponsor our Heroes” link to support our 2016 CNN Hero https://t.co/H06kcpocDh pic.twitter.com/hVsFcoy14l — CNN (@CNN) March 17, 2016
CNN’s Heroes from all over the world: a list Read more
Top 10 CNN Heroes 2016 from Sakeen Shah & Oliver Ritchie
Making a Difference has a list of stories that include seven examples of people who are heroes in their own right. Sakeen Shah is an award-winning writer in Bangladesh, serving with an NGO that provides pregnant women and women battling HIV with the highest quality prenatal care. Oliver Ritchie is a developer in Salt Lake City. He’s built several innovative projects that improve communication and travel in developing countries. He’s designing modules that would communicate where the sewage system in remote areas of the Philippines is to allow rural farmers to better protect their fields.
For more stories, we’ve compiled a list of CNN Hero finalists, plus a video for each.
For some of the nominees, our inbox messages have already been answered. Embrace their selfless leadership by sharing the news of their selection, sharing our newsletter with your friends and supporters!
When you’re on the lookout for inspiration, don’t forget to check out our other, related heroes.
In 2013, Dr Helen Thomas was selected as CNN’s Hero of the Year. She is the founder of Open Hearts (OHI) in Nashville. In June 2011, the Health Department of the City of Nashville and Davidson County recognized Helen with a 911 Care Award, which honors individuals who not only are visionary, but take a proactive approach in changing the lives of others.
In 2006, Pam Sandvig was a CNN Hero of the Year. She is a regional director of the Advancement of Women Power in Africa and Middle East (AWPA) with an emphasis on defining the role and responsibility of women’s organizations in Africa. She was identified as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa and the top women leaders in the world.
In 2005, Paula Rizzo was the CNN Hero of the Year. Paula is a mother and CEO of the Girls Scouts of the USA, an organisation that provides support to more than 1.8 million young girls and 1.2 million adults across the United States. She has a passion for empowering girls and also works to educate parents and educators on early literacy.
In 2000, CNN’s Hero of the Year was the mother of a man who was tragically murdered by his wife in Sudan. Kate Jones would not accept his death as her son died in a terrible circumstance, and fights to honor his memory. When the Sudanese government banned the word “hero” from the local newspaper, she launched a campaign to change it. In 2010, the American Heart Association honoured Kate with its Red Ribbon Campaign Excellence Award and George Will honors her with the award for Lifetime Achievement in Public Service.
In 1999, Jack Doherty, of Arlington, California, was CNN Hero of the Year. He founded Jack & Jill Resources, a non-profit group that funds humanitarian missions to impoverished and remote regions of Nepal. He was the recipient of the Darwin Award, an award given to those who are helping to alleviate pain and suffering.
In 1998, Laura Koenig Vasseur was CNN Hero of the Year. A former NLP teaching leader at Pitzer College, she founded The Clothesline Project. It’s a non-profit arts organization that uses the power of storytelling to empower girls to empower themselves and improve their lives. And in 2003, Dr. Martha Weston, one of the founding members of the Ocean Conservancy, was named an honorary United Nations Messenger of Peace.
In 1998, Don Hewitt, president of CBS News, was CNN Hero of the Year. He co-founded CBS News and is considered a pioneer of the news division. Under his leadership, CBS News became one of the most influential television news organizations of the 20th century. In 1990, Variety named Hewitt a Media Legend, and the American Film Institute named him one of the 25 most influential film figures of the 20th century.
Remember to support all CNN Heroes by helping out with the mission of a non-profit of your choice. It could be your little venture of sorts, or a larger charity such as OneWorld Foundation. Here