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Ernesto "Che" Guevara (1928-1967)

"An intellectual and an idealist, able to speak coherently about Aristotle, Kant, Marx, Gide or Faulkner, he also loved poetry, and was equally at home with Keats as with Sara De Ibáñez, his favorite writer. It is said that he knew Kipling's "If" by heart."
-Jerry A. Sierra discussing Guevara's high level of intelligence.

I realize that this may be a controversial topic, but please read the whole article before arguing your point. Yes, I understand that he could be ruthless and ordered the executions of hundreds of prisoners without giving them a trial. Yes, I realize that Guevara was a communist and that communism is considered "bad" among Americans. Yes, I know that he supported Fidel Castro, who many consider to be a Cuban tyrant. But Guevara stood up for what he believed in and took it to his grave. His last words included: "Shoot, coward, you're only going to kill a man". He witnessed the terrors of poverty and did what he believed was right to try and stop it. He may not be a hero to you but many people believe his efforts were admirable. He was a brave man who understood he was a rebel and would die for his country, yet he still took on the challenge. I believe that any human who can look death in the eye and accept his fate with such passion is a hero.

Born in Argentina in 1928, Ernesto Guevara he became active in politics in his country as well as in neighboring countries such as Bolivia and Guatemala. He attended that University of Buenos Aires and completed his studies in medical work.

"This isn’t a tale of derring-do, nor is it merely some kind of ‘cynical account’; it isn’t meant to be, at least. It’s a chunk of two lives running parallel for a while, with common aspirations and similar dreams."

In 1952, two years before joining the Cuban revolution, Guevara and his good friend Alberto Granado embarked on a one year expedition through South America. During this trip Che and Alberto witness beautiful landscapes of Peru, Argentina, Brazil and other surrounding countries. But they also discovered the horrors of poverty. Ernesto felt connected to these people and wanted to help them. He kept a journal of his travels during the 8 month trip, which soon became published as The Motorcycle Diaries. Some passages include discriminatory remarks against certain races which shows a darker side to Guevara, but his story is about finding himself and his calling. During his travels he learned that he wanted to end poverty and rebel against those who he saw as tyrants. He soon got his chance.

Guevara met Fidel and Raul Castro in 1954. Shortly after their meeting in Mexico, Guevara joined the Cuban revolution. In 1956 Che and the Castro brothers sailed to Cuba to overthrow Fulgencio Batista, a Cuban leader who used terrorist methods, jailed his opponents and hoarded his fortunes for himself and his associates. Guevara and the Castros did not agree with Batista's form of government and overthrew him in 1959. Fidel became dictator and he appointed Che to overlook the La Cabaña Fortress prison, where he ordered the executions of hundreds of prisoners, refusing to give them a fair trial, if a trial at all. He held other political positions including president of the Cuban national bank and minister of industry.

In 1966 he attempted to create a rebellion against the Bolivian government with little success. He gathered a small guerrilla troop and began a new expedition. In 1967 the Bolivian Army captured Che and murdered him. He was executed and flown to the Bolivian capital, where he was positively identified. The commander-in-chief of the Bolivian army wanted to remove Guevara's head for identification purposes, but "settled" on removing his hands for fingerprinting.

Shortly after his death, posters and pamphlets began to spread around the world. T-shirts have been produced in North America and Guevara's face is plastered next to images of Elvis and the Super Mario Brothers. Unfortunately his face is more well know than his life's work, but Guevara has become a legend and will not be forgotten any time soon. His spirit will live on for generations to come and hopefully his message to fight for the poor and powerless will not be forgotten.

Sources:
Time 100
Biography.com
History Of Cuba
the Eyeopener Online

Ellen DeGeneres

"DeGeneres is the bravest and most honest female comedian I have ever seen work because she publicly announced she's gay. That revelation could have ended her career, as she had to be aware, but she also knew she had to be honest"
-Bob Newhart, in his column in Time Magazine on Ellen DeGeneres

On the May 16, 2008 airing of The Ellen Show, star Ellen DeGeneres announced that she and her girlfriend Portia de Rossi. The audience stood up and cheered, their joy matched by those watching at home. Such a response to Ellen's homosexuality was not always so great. In 1998 her first television show "Ellen" was canceled, only several episodes after Ellen's "coming out" episode. It had been a long road to this point in her life; she had an amazing girlfriend who she loved, a hugely successful talk show, and she was one of the world's most well-known lesbian Americans.

Born in January 1958 to Elliot DeGeneres and Elizabeth Pfeffer. As a chi.ld she dreamed of becoming a Veterinarian but did not pursue it because she was "not book-smart." As a young teenager Ellen's parents separated and divorced, which led Ellen and her mother moving to Atlanta, Texas with her new stepfather, Roy Gruessendorf. She graduated from Atlanta High School in 1976. Following graduation DeGeneres moved back to Louisiana to pursue a degree in communications at the University of Louisiana. After a brief time there, Ellen decided to leave school to join the workforce where she held a number of jobs including being a waitress, a legal secretary, a house-painter and a bartender. She soon discovered that she did not want to "answer to a boss". She found herself a budding career as a stand up comedian in 1981 after using humor to get through a public speaking event.

Ellen DeGeneres is also well-known for her mid-1990s sitcom Ellen. The show ran from 1994 to 1998 and was a huge hit, even being compared to the legendary "Seinfeld". Ellen disagreed with the comparison saying: "On his show, Jerry is the more or less normal one and there are all these colorful characters around him. On my show, I'm the one who always trips." In 1997 Ellen was met with both praise and critcism when Ellen's character came out as a lesbian to her therapist. Ellen, herself, had previously come out both on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on the cover of Time magazine where she proudly declared "Yep, I'm Gay."

Ellen's declaration was a bold one. The gay community welcomed her with open arms, as did many American households. But not everyone was impressed with Degeneres' coming out; Birmingham, Alabama refused to air the groundbreaking episode and sponsors of the television show, such as Daimler Chrysler withdrew advertisements, fearing criticism. Ellen was cancelled shortly after the episode premiered, despite being nominated for an Emmy award.

After the cancellation Ellen appeared in EdTV starring Matthew McConaughey as well the a television production of "If These Walls Could Talk 2" where she shared a love scene with Sharon Stone. But in 2003 Ellen got her big comeback roles playing the voice of Dory in the hit "Finding Nemo as well as starring on her own talk show. She has since hosted the Daytime Emmys twice and and the Academy Awards.

Ellen has had well publicized romances with several women. After the "coming out" episode of Ellen DeGeneres announced she was dating actress Anne Heche. The couple split in 2000. Ellen was quoted by Advocate Magazine saying "I felt like I would never live again. But you do." Heche went on to marry cameraman Coley Laffoon. In 2001 Ellen dated Alexandra Hedison. Their relationship ended in late 2004. Shortly after, Ellen began dating Portia de Rossi, with whom she is currently engaged.

Ellen DeGeneres has become a hugely sucessful comedian and actress as well as a spokesperson for the gay community. She has had ups and downs in her career but has persevered and continues to be one of the best known lesbians in television history. Despite some criticism from naysayers there is no doubt that her career is far from over.

Sources:
Biography
Wikipedia
About.com

Derek & Jim Redmond

We've all seen the Visa commercials where Morgan Freeman summarizes incredible feats at the Olympics. One that really stands out is the one with Derek Redmond, a British runner whose hamstring gave out during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In honor of the beginning of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I bring you the story of Derek Redmond and his father, Jim.

"Derek's father Jim had accompanied him to Barcelona, just as he did for all world competitions. They were as close as a father and son could be. Inseparable, really. The best of friends. When Derek ran, it was as if his father were running right next to him."
-Rick Weinberg, ESPN.com report on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

Derek Redmond did not win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In fact, he holds the record for the slowest 400 meter in Olympic history. Yet Derek is more well known for that fateful day than the gold medalist.

At age 26, Derek Redmond had already broken two British 400m records and was preparing himself for the 1992 Summer Olympics, which would be taking place in Barcelona, Spain. A year prior, Derek had been a part of the British team that beat the favored American team in the 4x400m relay at the World Championships. In 1988, he withdrew from the Olympic races in Seoul, Korea only ninety seconds before his first heat was about to begin due to hamstring problems. This time, he wanted to walk away with a medal, he wanted to show the world what he was capable of.

On the day of the 400m, Derek's father Jim found his way to his seat in the stadium among 65,000 other fans. He prays that today will go flawlessly; no more injuries, no
more set backs.

The race begins and Derek Redmond quickly lurches ahead of the other competitors. He knows he can make it to the finals. He had won his first two heats, all he needed to do was make it through the semi-finals. With only 175 meters left, he hears a pops. Derek's right hamstring had torn. In a later interview Derek recalls thinking that he had been shot. He slows himself down and kneels for a few brief seconds.

Up in the stands, Jim Redmond freezes in fear. Instinctively, he understands what has happened and begins to push his way down to the track.

Medical personnel arrive to help Derek off of the track with a stretcher. Redmond pushes them away and decides to finish his 400 meter race. Slowly, he rises and hops his way toward the finish line, where the rest of the runners have already finished. Later in an interview Derek tells the reporter: "Everything I had worked for was finished. I hated everybody. I hated the world. I hated hamstrings. I hated it all. I felt so bitter that I was injured again. I told myself I had to finish. I kept hopping round. Then, with 100 meter to go, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my old man."

Jim had pushed his way from the back of the stadium to help his son off the field. Security tried to stop Jim, but he brushed them off, running to Derek's aid. Derek told his father that he was going to finish, no matter what. Without arguing Jim supported his son, both mentally and physically, as the two finished the last 100 meters. Jim let Derek cross the finish line himself, but afterward rejoined him in a tearful embrace.

65,000 fans cheered and cried with them that day, along with countless others watching from home. That race will forever be in the memories of thousands, not for who won or who lost, but for the amazing courage and spirits of Derek and Jim Redmond.

You can view the YouTube video of Derek's race here.

Sources
ESPN
The New York Times
The Guardian

Jeanne Assam

“I have friends who are Army Rangers calling me, saying what she did is not easy to do, even for trained people. I just know that she’s a hero."
-Matt Swenson, first cousin to Jeanne Assam

In December 2007 gunshots rang out from the New Life Church Parking lot in Colorado Springs. Over one-hundred members of the church were enjoying their Sunday service when Matthew Murray entered the church with a mission. Murray entered from the parking lot where he had just executed two teenage girls. He had a vendetta against the church after being kicked out of a Youth With A Mission program and had previously shot and killed two people in Arvada, Colorado who were involved with the program.

Jeanne Assam was working as a security guard at the church that fateful day. She had been trained to use a handgun and owned a permit to carry a concealed weapon. She noticed the crowd of people who were congregating in the hallway had suddenly disappeared. When she entered the hallway she saw Murray, who was prepared to do a lot a damage to the church and it's members. Jeanne immediately held her ground and when Murray began shooting she halted his attacks. Shortly after being hit several times Murray took his own life.

Jeanne was one of the seven children of Fred and Kay Assam. Jeanne did not grow up in a religious household, but after her mother became active in the Christian community later in her life, Jeanne took to the religion. She grew more passionate toward the religion and the community in Colorado Springs, where she chose to make her home. She applied for a job at the New Life church where she worked in the call center selling CDs, videos and books. She soon volunteered as a security guard.

Ten years before the New Life shooting, Jeanne had worked for the Minneapolis police force but was fired for cursing at a bus driver and lying about it. No hard feelings from her former co-workers; Sergeant Jesse Garchttp://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14817480/detail.htmlia remembered her fondly. "She has all the skill; she has the desire to serve people and protect. She's trying to figure out if the right way for her to serve is working with the ministry or if the best way is by being a police officer."

Jeanne believes that God helped keep her safe that day and protected her from Murray's violent behavior. She has become a local hero and has also been recognized on a national level.

Sources:
The Denver Post
The Denver Channel

Eliezer Wiesel

"For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time."
-An excerpt from Night by Elie Weisel, published in 1958


Born in a small Jewish community in Sighnet, Transylvania in 1928 (now a part of Romania/Hungary) Elie Wiesel grew up like many young children around him, he attended religious classes, was active in his small town, and had a personal relationship with God. During the early years of World War II, Sighnet was left peaceful and Elie's family held the belief that their small town would be untouched by the German Nazis.

Although, that hope was crushed in 1944, when Elie was sixteen. The Nazis deported the Jewish families to Poland, where the Wiesel Family was separated. Elie and his father were pulled away from Eli's mother and three sisters; his mother and youngest sister later died in the gas chambers. During his stay in the camps, Elie witnessed horrors which made him question how God could ever be so cruel to those so innocent. He lost his faith in humanity. In January 1945 Wiesel witnessed his father's last day, heard his father's last word. He recollects this memory quite clearly:

"On my father's cot there lay another sick person. They must have taken him away before daybreak and taken him to the crematorium. Perhaps he was still breathing... No prayers had been said over his tomb. No candles lit in his memory. His last word has been my name. He had called out to me and I had not answered."
Elie felt guilt over his father's death, but also a quiet sense of relief. He no longer had to worry about his father's wellbeing. He knew his father was no longer in pain. In the four months between his father's death and his freedom from the camps, Wiesel does not describe his life. He was no longer living, he was merely surviving. But in April of 1945 fate crept in and Elie was released back into the free world.

"I have tried to keep memory alive. I have tried to fight those who would forget. Because if we forget, we are guilty, we are all accomplices."

After the liberation of the camps, Wiesel lived in France where, for ten years, he refused to speak of his life during the war. In 1955, at the counsel of a Catholic writer, Wiesel composed a 900 page memoir, And the World Kept Silent, which was first published in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The book was then condensed into a 127-page memoir entitled "Night", which was published in 1958, with little success.

Elie Wiesel moved to New York and was granted American citizenship. He continued to write, finishing other autobiographical works such as Dawn and The Accident. Soon his writing was getting him international acclaim. He chose to visit the Soviet Union after an increased interest in the difficulties that other Jewish families faced during the war. After returning Wiesel dedicated himself to helping to liberate those all over the world who have suffered in similar situations.

In 1976 Elie became the Andrew Mellon Professor of Humanities at Boston University and in 1978 President Carter appointed him to Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Though one of his biggest achievement since surviving the death was in 1986 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Wiesel has authored over 36 works on the Holocaust, Judaism, and genocide, including "Night", a memoir of his time in Auschwitz, among other concentration camps.

To read a transcript of Elie Wiesel's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, please go here.

Sources:
Academy of Achievement
Elie Wiesel Biography Page
Jewish-American Hall of Fame
"Night" by Elie Wiesel

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

"Eleanor shattered the ceremonial mold in which the role of the First Lady had traditionally been fashioned, and reshaped it around her own skills and her deep commitment to social reform. She gave a voice to people who did not have access to power. She was the first woman to speak in front of a national convention, to write a syndicated column, to earn money as a lecturer, to be a radio commentator and to hold regular press conferences."
-Time Magazine in their 1998 Time 100

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (better known as Eleanor Roosevelt) is quite possibly America's most influential first ladies. Although awkward and shy as a young girl, Roosevelt grew into a knowledgeable, powerful woman who would make her mark in American History. Born to Anna Hall and Elliot Roosevelt in 1884, Eleanor was the second of seven children, and the niece of Theodore Roosevelt. Her parents died when she was young (her mother when she was 8 and her father when she was 10) and the young Roosevelt began living with her grandmother in New York where she was educated by private tutors. At age 15, Eleanor was sent t England to attend a girl's school where she met Mademoiselle Marie Souvestre, the headmistress, who had a powerful influence on Roosevelt's thinking. Three years later, she returned to New York where she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a distant cousin.

In 1905 she married Franklin and over the next 11 years gave birth to 6 children. During this time she was cut off from her service work in a New York City settlement house, where she had discovered confidence and security. In 1918 Eleanor had a haunting suspicion that Franklin was having an affair. Divorce was threatened, but the issue was resolved. After this incident, Eleanor renewed her relationship with various reformist organizations; focusing her energy on them instead of her marriage. During this time she learned that she had a knack for public speaking and organizing. She formed lifelong friends with other women which heightened Eleanor's sense of security.

In 1921 Franklin Roosevelt, who was the democratic nominee for vice president, became paralyzed with polio. Eleanor took the reigns during this time, traveling the country to discover more about the people that her husband was helping to govern. It soon became clear that the two were a powerful team with the ability to inspire the American public to accept social change. During Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency she traveled through the United States independent of her husband, visiting relief projects, observing living conditions, and bringing about social reform. She often reported back to her husband and helped to advise him in his decisions as president.

When her husband died in 1945 Eleanor expected the media to lose interest in her work as well as her life. But her popularity grew. President Truman appointed her to the United States Delegation to the United Nations. She held the position until 1953, when she resigned. After resigning her position, Roosevelt volunteered with many organizations, was reappointed to the United States Delegation to the United Nations and earned herself a variety of awards. She was also in high demand as a public speaker in the media and in person. She became a well-known writer through her multi-volume autobiography, various columns (including her syndicated column "My Day", which she wrote from 1935 until shortly before her death in 1962), and her monthly question and answer pieces for Ladies Home Journal and McCalls.

In November 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt passed away in her New York home. She remains buried next to her beloved husband at their estate, which is now a national historic site. Eleanor will always be remembered as the "First Lady of the World".

For more information on the FDR National Historic Site, please go here.

Sources:
FDR Library
Time 100