author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
peace
Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman
authors. citizens. peacemakers.
Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman co-founded Citizenship Counts to promote the importance of multigenerational citizen programs. Alysa is an author and the Executive Director of Citizenship Counts. Gerda is an author, Academy Award winner, Holocaust survivor, and human rights activist. [www.citizenshipcounts.org]
GERDA
Having been where I’ve been and seen what I’ve seen and lost what I’ve lost, my hope is for a kinder, better, gentler, more loving world blessed with peace. I think that’s really what we all want.
I’ve been involved in many causes because I’ve been extremely fortunate. My beloved husband liberated me after the Holocaust and brought me to this country. I’ve had a full life, with children and grandchildren, working for causes that are dear to me.
I’ve been given incredible honors. I want to give back to this country which has given me so much. My swan song is educating people in this country to be kinder, to be better citizens, and to take on the responsibility we all have for creating a better world.
I’ve wondered if what inspires people to lead more meaningful lives is in the genes, but I think it has more to do with exposure. I’ve known people who didn’t particularly seem to care about anything, but then came face to face with their own lives, through illness or suffering, and turned around completely, devoting their lives to an issue important to them.
I was fortunate to be married to an incredible man who totally supported me, as my children do. That support is very important. We can’t do it alone.
I’m very excited about the organization my granddaughter Alysa and I started together. She’s working hard to make this a better world.
ALYSA
Six years ago, at a crossroads in my career, I decided to spend three months managing some of my grandmother’s projects, events, and business affairs. Those three months have turned into six years.
I’ve traveled the country with my grandmother as she gives speeches – mainly about her inspirational story of surviving the Holocaust. She says that survival is an incredible privilege, but also a deep obligation, and she needs to share her story on behalf of the millions who didn’t survive.
After the shooting tragedy at Columbine, my grandparents were asked to speak with the families of the victims and the students, many of whom felt that nobody could understand what they were going through. My grandmother was about their age when she saw her friends killed in honor of Hitler.
The students asked questions like, “Will I ever get over this?” “Will I ever smile again?” “Is this going to affect the rest of my life?” My grandmother told them, “What happened is something you’ll never forget. It will stay with you, BUT you will smile and laugh again. It takes time to heal.”
– Gerda Weissman Klein and Alysa Ullman
Explore More Meaning
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milkshaker. pr maven. difference maker.
Pamela Caffray's background is in trending, forecasting, PR, and event planning. She co-founded Milkshake to join her love of discovery and sourcing with her passion for giving back and helping others. [http://getmilkshake.com]
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coach. strategist. career changer.
Darrell W. Gurney has served as a career strategist to individuals for over 20 years, with a driving commitment to everyone's purposeful Back Forty. [www.thebackforty.com]
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radio show host. writer. unplugged mom.
As a radio show host, speaker, and writer, Laurette Lynn advocates independent home-education by encouraging parents to challenge the conventional assumptions of mainstream parenting and family living. [www.unpluggedmom.com]
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joy recoverer. conscious coach. relationship aficionado.
Trent Blanchard shares words of encouragement, motivation, and inspiration in corporate America and in high schools around the country via his private coaching practice. He helps remove whatever gets in the way of living a life of JOY. [www.trentblanchard.com]
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writer's shepherd. meaning beacon. surreal stepmama.
Grace Kerina founded The Writer's Shepherd to help people find their own words and bring their unique wisdom into the open. Her goal is to eliminate writer's block from the planet. [www.the-writers-shepherd.com]
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authentic novelist. uncertainty embracer. dream includer.
Kyle Rutkin was put on this world to write romantic comedies and inspire people to chase their dreams. His second novel is due for release in the winter of 2012. [www.kylerutkin.com]
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comedian. writer. blond.
Jamie Gaul is a writer, improviser and stand up comedian in Los Angeles, CA. Whether she is on stage or off, she looks to help people find joy in life through laughter. [www.jamie-gaul.com]
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Guitarist. Songwriter. Rhythm Rider.
Kamil Rustam is a French guitarist, composer, arranger, songwriter, producer, and a prolific musician. [www.kamilrustam.com]
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