(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
Real-Life Heroes and She-roes: Great Teachers!
Part of South by Southwest in Austin is an education conference--who knew? (Maybe you did--I didn't!) NPR compiled stories from some of the attendees about teachers who had made a difference in their own lives. Check them out!
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life Hero: Jonas Salk
And while we're on the subject of vaccine-makers, how about hero Jonas Salk? In the first half of the twentieth century, particularly the decade immediately after the second world war, polio was an enormous threat to the public health. But less than a century later, polio has largely vanished from the public consciousness, due to Dr. Salk's work to develop a vaccine.
And just like the she-roes and heroes over at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program, Dr. Salk spent the last years of his life working on a vaccine to protect people against the spread of HIV. Hero!
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Jonas Salk on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
And just like the she-roes and heroes over at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program, Dr. Salk spent the last years of his life working on a vaccine to protect people against the spread of HIV. Hero!
Jonas Salk on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
Real-Life Heroes and She-roes: The Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program
In addition to being my home, Nashville, Tennessee is also the home of world-renowned Vanderbilt University. And Vanderbilt houses one of the sites of the international HIV Vaccine Trials Network, a worldwide collaborative focused on developing vaccines to prevent HIV/AIDS.
It goes without saying that this work, done at Vanderbilt and other places across the globe, is of vital importance. I had the opportunity a few years ago to participate in this research through the program at Vanderbilt. Every woman and man with whom I interacted at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program was kind, compassionate, and professional. It was an absolute pleasure to be around every one of them. So not only are they doing work that will ultimately save countless lives, but they are making the world a better place in small ways every day for each other and everyone involved with their program.
They are she-roes! They are heroes! I am so honored and grateful to have been able to play even a tiny role in the work they do.
Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program
HIV Vaccine Trials Network
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
It goes without saying that this work, done at Vanderbilt and other places across the globe, is of vital importance. I had the opportunity a few years ago to participate in this research through the program at Vanderbilt. Every woman and man with whom I interacted at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program was kind, compassionate, and professional. It was an absolute pleasure to be around every one of them. So not only are they doing work that will ultimately save countless lives, but they are making the world a better place in small ways every day for each other and everyone involved with their program.
They are she-roes! They are heroes! I am so honored and grateful to have been able to play even a tiny role in the work they do.
Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program
HIV Vaccine Trials Network
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life She-ro: Malala Yousafzai
People can be she-roes and heroes in small ways--perhaps to only one other person--and also in larger ways, to many people. Malala Yousafzai is the second kind. It may seem obvious to point out what a she-ro Malala is--after all, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy for the education of all children. When she was fifteen years old, assailants shot her in the head to try and silence her voice--but she survived, recovered, and continues to use her voice to tell the world that all children are entitled to education.
She is extraordinary. She is a she-ro.
Malala Yousafzai on Wikipedia
The Malala Fund
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
She is extraordinary. She is a she-ro.
The Malala Fund
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life She-ro: Nini
Today's she-ro was nominated by my friend Lynn! (I promise she is a separate person from me even though we have the same name.) I don't know Nini, so instead of writing about her myself, I asked Lynn's permission to share what she wrote about her friend. She is truly a she-ro.
I met Nini in 2001, when I came to work at a college in central Pennsylvania. Nin was the museum director and a professor of Art History. She is brilliant, a leader in her field, and a phenomenal teacher. Students love love love her--and not because she's a cake walk--because she challenges them and is tough on them and because she loves them (though she'd never admit it).
Anyhow, one day, right after I started my job, I went into the museum, knocked on her door, and sheepishly said, "Nancy? I'm Lynn, I went to Rutgers." (You see, my Nini is a Jersey girl through and through; she went to Rutgers at the same time I did--we were probably studying the art library at the same time!) She was raised just 30 minutes from where I was, so when I went in her office (pronounced AW-fice) we she was thrilled to meet another Jersey girl, and we immediately bonded over the lack of good bagels and take out Chinese food in central PA.
We used to hang out a lot. My husband at the time had a long commute to work, so Nin and I would have after-work martinis (these started at 4, because a girl's gotta relax). We were devilish. (I'll leave it at that since this G-rated.)
Here's the best story of how she is the best friend I could ever have--how she is my fourth sister (I have three biological ones). The Nin has been present for both the best and worst days of my life as a mother, and has been literally by my side, holding me for both of them.
By the time I was ready to have my daughter, Nancy had moved about two hours away and taken another job. My water broke on a Saturday night at 10:00, and we rushed to the hospital. The first person we called was Nin. It was snowing, as it seemed to have been every day that winter, but Nin got in her car and drove to us anyway. While my (now ex) husband took a nap, and I was in labor, Nin made me laugh constantly. We watched the Miss Uruguay pageant (who knew?) and she kept my mind on anything other than the icky pain I was feeling.
When the time came to get that baby into the world, Nin was there--I said by my side, but she was actually at my feet. She stood right next to the midwife and held my leg because the pain and drugs had paralyzed it (temporarily). The Nin was the first to see her--and to this day, she says that she's going to take me to court for custody because she saw her first.
I don't know how I'd have made it through the birth of my child if it weren't for Nini literally being my physical muscle. I don't know how I'd have done it emotionally if she weren't there to love me. She was amazing. As you might imagine, that was the best day of my parenting life. Oh, there have been others, but the birth of your first/only child...well, that's hard to top.
But I also said she was there at the worst moment of my life as a mother. This one's harder to write about.
About seven years into my daughter's life, and almost 14 into the marriage, her dad decided to leave. It was devastating to both of us. My Nini was by my side for that whole thing. She helped me get myself together so I could protect my daughter and myself--but here's the most important thing she did.
It was a summer day almost four years ago now. My ex had come to pick up our daughter for his first weekend with her after we split up. She did not want to go. I did not want her to go either, but it was the agreement. She was literally having a tantrum on the sidewalk for all the neighbors to see, and I was holding myself together as best I could.
After he pulled away, I came in the house and called Nini. She was here in less than an hour and a half (remember, she lived two hours away). She laid on my couch beside me; she held me; she cried with me; she told me I would be okay.
That is a true friend.
There are many many other things to tell you--like how just a few weeks ago she called me out for hurting her feelings. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's hard to be told you've hurt someone you love. And after I apologized, she forgave me--FORGAVE ME just like that.
She tells me I'm nuts. She hates my taste in shoes. She laughs at me. And she loves me. And I love her.
That's my Nin.
Even though I don't know Nini myself, I want to thank her for her example of she-roic love and friendship. And I want to thank my friend Lynn for being so brave and sharing such personal stories. You are both my she-roes!
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
I met Nini in 2001, when I came to work at a college in central Pennsylvania. Nin was the museum director and a professor of Art History. She is brilliant, a leader in her field, and a phenomenal teacher. Students love love love her--and not because she's a cake walk--because she challenges them and is tough on them and because she loves them (though she'd never admit it).
Anyhow, one day, right after I started my job, I went into the museum, knocked on her door, and sheepishly said, "Nancy? I'm Lynn, I went to Rutgers." (You see, my Nini is a Jersey girl through and through; she went to Rutgers at the same time I did--we were probably studying the art library at the same time!) She was raised just 30 minutes from where I was, so when I went in her office (pronounced AW-fice) we she was thrilled to meet another Jersey girl, and we immediately bonded over the lack of good bagels and take out Chinese food in central PA.
We used to hang out a lot. My husband at the time had a long commute to work, so Nin and I would have after-work martinis (these started at 4, because a girl's gotta relax). We were devilish. (I'll leave it at that since this G-rated.)
Here's the best story of how she is the best friend I could ever have--how she is my fourth sister (I have three biological ones). The Nin has been present for both the best and worst days of my life as a mother, and has been literally by my side, holding me for both of them.
By the time I was ready to have my daughter, Nancy had moved about two hours away and taken another job. My water broke on a Saturday night at 10:00, and we rushed to the hospital. The first person we called was Nin. It was snowing, as it seemed to have been every day that winter, but Nin got in her car and drove to us anyway. While my (now ex) husband took a nap, and I was in labor, Nin made me laugh constantly. We watched the Miss Uruguay pageant (who knew?) and she kept my mind on anything other than the icky pain I was feeling.
When the time came to get that baby into the world, Nin was there--I said by my side, but she was actually at my feet. She stood right next to the midwife and held my leg because the pain and drugs had paralyzed it (temporarily). The Nin was the first to see her--and to this day, she says that she's going to take me to court for custody because she saw her first.
I don't know how I'd have made it through the birth of my child if it weren't for Nini literally being my physical muscle. I don't know how I'd have done it emotionally if she weren't there to love me. She was amazing. As you might imagine, that was the best day of my parenting life. Oh, there have been others, but the birth of your first/only child...well, that's hard to top.
But I also said she was there at the worst moment of my life as a mother. This one's harder to write about.
About seven years into my daughter's life, and almost 14 into the marriage, her dad decided to leave. It was devastating to both of us. My Nini was by my side for that whole thing. She helped me get myself together so I could protect my daughter and myself--but here's the most important thing she did.
It was a summer day almost four years ago now. My ex had come to pick up our daughter for his first weekend with her after we split up. She did not want to go. I did not want her to go either, but it was the agreement. She was literally having a tantrum on the sidewalk for all the neighbors to see, and I was holding myself together as best I could.
After he pulled away, I came in the house and called Nini. She was here in less than an hour and a half (remember, she lived two hours away). She laid on my couch beside me; she held me; she cried with me; she told me I would be okay.
That is a true friend.
There are many many other things to tell you--like how just a few weeks ago she called me out for hurting her feelings. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's hard to be told you've hurt someone you love. And after I apologized, she forgave me--FORGAVE ME just like that.
She tells me I'm nuts. She hates my taste in shoes. She laughs at me. And she loves me. And I love her.
That's my Nin.
Even though I don't know Nini myself, I want to thank her for her example of she-roic love and friendship. And I want to thank my friend Lynn for being so brave and sharing such personal stories. You are both my she-roes!
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life Hero: Terry Pratchett
As I write this blog post, the literary world mourns a great hero: (Sir) Terry Pratchett, one of the most popular British writers of all time. He had a tremendous effect in the lives of his readers, and many fans paid tribute to him in the hours and days after his passing.
Fans of Terry Pratchett tell of the impact he had on their lives
But Sir Terry was not only a hero because of his extraordinary prose. After he was diagnosed with a form of early-onset Alzheimer's in 2007, he became a generous financial contributor to the cause of Alzheimer's research, and also a leading advocate for awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.
He will be greatly missed, and the world is better for his having been here with us--a definite sign of a hero.
Terry Pratchett on Wikipedia
Terry Pratchett Obituary - The Guardian
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
Fans of Terry Pratchett tell of the impact he had on their lives
But Sir Terry was not only a hero because of his extraordinary prose. After he was diagnosed with a form of early-onset Alzheimer's in 2007, he became a generous financial contributor to the cause of Alzheimer's research, and also a leading advocate for awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.
He will be greatly missed, and the world is better for his having been here with us--a definite sign of a hero.
Terry Pratchett Obituary - The Guardian
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life She-ro: Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton grew up in a world where girls were treated as if they had very little value. In spite of the fact that girls were discouraged from any pursuits beyond the most docile and domestic, Lizzie was bright and brave and accomplished. Still her father, whom she idolized, lamented that she had not been born a boy.
How does a girl grow to know her own worth in the midst of such conditions?
I honestly don't know. It seems to me that any girl who perseveres in believing she CAN--surrounded by an environment which perpetually insists that she CAN'T--is already a she-ro.
But Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn't just know her own worth, or just want other girls and women to know their own. She spent her life working to change the laws of the United States so that our voices might be heard with that most fundamental of all democratic rights: the right to vote. Throughout her life she wrote and spoke and traveled the country, withstanding biting criticism and derision at every step, working to change the hearts and minds of Americans so that future generations of women would finally enjoy the rights that are ours.
She did not live to see the prize she sought. Elizabeth died in 1902, just shy of her 87th birthday, and the 19th Amendment recognizing women's right to vote was not ratified until 1920. But because of the vision, courage and stamina of Mrs. Stanton and her fellow soldiers in the battle for women's suffrage, the United States became a freer place. I, for one, am so very grateful to this important she-ro!
(Though I had heard her name in the past, I never knew very much about Mrs. Stanton until I watched the documentary, "Not For Ourselves Alone," by previously featured hero Ken Burns. I highly recommend this look at ECS and her close friend, Susan B. Anthony!)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
How does a girl grow to know her own worth in the midst of such conditions?
I honestly don't know. It seems to me that any girl who perseveres in believing she CAN--surrounded by an environment which perpetually insists that she CAN'T--is already a she-ro.
But Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn't just know her own worth, or just want other girls and women to know their own. She spent her life working to change the laws of the United States so that our voices might be heard with that most fundamental of all democratic rights: the right to vote. Throughout her life she wrote and spoke and traveled the country, withstanding biting criticism and derision at every step, working to change the hearts and minds of Americans so that future generations of women would finally enjoy the rights that are ours.
She did not live to see the prize she sought. Elizabeth died in 1902, just shy of her 87th birthday, and the 19th Amendment recognizing women's right to vote was not ratified until 1920. But because of the vision, courage and stamina of Mrs. Stanton and her fellow soldiers in the battle for women's suffrage, the United States became a freer place. I, for one, am so very grateful to this important she-ro!
(Though I had heard her name in the past, I never knew very much about Mrs. Stanton until I watched the documentary, "Not For Ourselves Alone," by previously featured hero Ken Burns. I highly recommend this look at ECS and her close friend, Susan B. Anthony!)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life Hero: Ken Burns
In this endeavor to highlight "heroes and she-roes," people I think have in some way made the world better, I feel a certain kinship with filmmaker Ken Burns. Though I am using only these blog posts as my humble medium, Mr. Burns and his collaborators make films about Americans who have had an impact on our country--often epic in their scope and depth. These films tell stories of who we are as a nation through the stories of those who helped to make us so.
In a world of ever-shrinking attention spans, his films are long, involved, detailed, rejecting the notion of easy narrative and exploring the complications and contradictions that are woven into our collective history. In so doing, these films give us a truer picture that we can get from a Facebook post or a series of tweets. They require engagement of their viewers, and give knowledge, insight, humor and compassion in return.
While he is best known for his lengthy reflections on giant topics in American history (the excellent recent series "The Roosevelts" lasted 14 hours), my favorite film bearing Mr. Burns's name is a short (90 minute) piece called, "The Address." It concerns a unique school in Vermont and a group of young men and teachers who, though none of them are famous, are definitely heroes and she-roes in my view. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Ken Burns on the Internet Movie Database
Ken Burns on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
In a world of ever-shrinking attention spans, his films are long, involved, detailed, rejecting the notion of easy narrative and exploring the complications and contradictions that are woven into our collective history. In so doing, these films give us a truer picture that we can get from a Facebook post or a series of tweets. They require engagement of their viewers, and give knowledge, insight, humor and compassion in return.
While he is best known for his lengthy reflections on giant topics in American history (the excellent recent series "The Roosevelts" lasted 14 hours), my favorite film bearing Mr. Burns's name is a short (90 minute) piece called, "The Address." It concerns a unique school in Vermont and a group of young men and teachers who, though none of them are famous, are definitely heroes and she-roes in my view. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Ken Burns on the Internet Movie Database
Ken Burns on Wikipedia
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life Hero: Seth Godin
The first time I encountered Seth Godin was hearing him interviewed on one of my favorite radio programs, "Bullseye with Jesse Thorn," in which Jesse described Seth as a "marketing guru." And while this is undoubtedly true, it gives only the slightest glimpse into the work that Seth does.
In his writing, Seth constantly challenges the notion of "business as usual." He is a tireless advocate for the power of a unique vision, of personal connection and treating one's audience with respect and dignity. A great example of this point-of-view is this recent blog post. I have taken great encouragement from him to pursue creative work in ways that make sense to me, and not to succumb to fear of how it will be perceived by "conventional wisdom."
In that conversation with Jesse Thorn, Seth shared his view that every person is an artist. I found this idea so beautiful and resonant, that I wrote a song about it: "Beautifully (Then It's Art)" -- hear it here on MissLynn.com.
Seth Godin on Wikipedia
Seth's Blog
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
In his writing, Seth constantly challenges the notion of "business as usual." He is a tireless advocate for the power of a unique vision, of personal connection and treating one's audience with respect and dignity. A great example of this point-of-view is this recent blog post. I have taken great encouragement from him to pursue creative work in ways that make sense to me, and not to succumb to fear of how it will be perceived by "conventional wisdom."
In that conversation with Jesse Thorn, Seth shared his view that every person is an artist. I found this idea so beautiful and resonant, that I wrote a song about it: "Beautifully (Then It's Art)" -- hear it here on MissLynn.com.
Seth Godin on Wikipedia
Seth's Blog
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life Hero: Fred Rogers
The heroism that Fred Rogers displayed throughout his life is so enormously apparent, and has been written about by so many, that it seems superfluous to try to do it any justice here. Though perhaps it is worth mentioning, in this series of blog posts leading up to the release of my "Heroes and She-roes" CD, that there has been no other person whose work in media has had such a profound influence over my own. If there were a single thesis I tried to impart through my work, it would be the one with which Mr. Rogers bid his television neighbors farewell after each visit: "You make this day special by just your being you."
"Fred Rogers, late 1960s" by KUHT - http://digital.lib.uh.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p15195coll38&CISOPTR=240&CISOBOX=1&REC=5. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
"Fred Rogers, late 1960s" by KUHT - http://digital.lib.uh.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p15195coll38&CISOPTR=240&CISOBOX=1&REC=5. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real-Life She-ro: A Mum and A&E Nurse
The exercise of highlighting forty different instances of real-life heroes and she-roes is an interesting one for me. It forces me to answer the question, "What makes someone a s/hero?"
One of the main qualities I have identified in those I would set apart as heroic is that they are doing and saying things that few others (if anyone) are doing and saying. In big and small ways, they are speaking up and taking action on behalf of what is right and noble, even if theirs are the only voices and hands doing so.
I don't really know anything about the mum who wrote this blog, other than what is contained directly in the post itself (note for Americans: an "A&E" nurse is what we would call an "ER" nurse)--but it is more than enough to know she is a she-ro. I could say more about why, but I think her words and actions speak for themselves.
"Not Always Learning" Blog: Was Bra-ced For a Different Reaction
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
One of the main qualities I have identified in those I would set apart as heroic is that they are doing and saying things that few others (if anyone) are doing and saying. In big and small ways, they are speaking up and taking action on behalf of what is right and noble, even if theirs are the only voices and hands doing so.
I don't really know anything about the mum who wrote this blog, other than what is contained directly in the post itself (note for Americans: an "A&E" nurse is what we would call an "ER" nurse)--but it is more than enough to know she is a she-ro. I could say more about why, but I think her words and actions speak for themselves.
"Not Always Learning" Blog: Was Bra-ced For a Different Reaction
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
A Real Life Hero: Oliver Sacks
I first encountered Oliver Sacks in 1995, when I read his then newly-published An Anthropologist on Mars. The neurological circumstances faced by the individuals he profiled in that book (and, as I came to discover, in much of his other writing) were strange and fascinating. Yet what I ultimately found most compelling in these accounts was the dignity and humanity with which he approached his subjects. Though the conditions afflicting these women and men doubtlessly set them apart from the mainstream, at no point did Dr. Sacks treat them as victims, or as "other." The compassionate words he wrote about them revealed their author's eyes and heart, which saw these people not as broken manifestations of pathology, but whole beings inherently worthy of deep respect.
"9.13.09OliverSacksByLuigiNovi" by Luigi Novi. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Dr. Sacks is now 81 years old, and recently wrote a piece in The New York Times about his experience of this last chapter of his life, as he faces the conclusion of his decade-long struggle with cancer. As I read his beautiful words, I shed tears of sadness for the fact that those of us here on Earth will shortly be losing this extraordinary man--but also tears of gratitude that he was here with us to begin with.
Oliver Sacks on Wikipedia
OliverSacks.com
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
"9.13.09OliverSacksByLuigiNovi" by Luigi Novi. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Dr. Sacks is now 81 years old, and recently wrote a piece in The New York Times about his experience of this last chapter of his life, as he faces the conclusion of his decade-long struggle with cancer. As I read his beautiful words, I shed tears of sadness for the fact that those of us here on Earth will shortly be losing this extraordinary man--but also tears of gratitude that he was here with us to begin with.
Oliver Sacks on Wikipedia
OliverSacks.com
(Have a real-life hero or she-ro to nominate for this blog? Let me know at misslynn [at] misslynn [dot] com!)
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