All People Making a Difference
She survived an atomic bomb. Now she campaigns against them.Setsuko Thurlow survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Now, she devotes her life to advocating for nuclear disarmament.聽
鈥楾he backbone of this economy鈥�: Fighting for housekeepers' rights in South AfricaSouth Africa鈥檚 domestic workers are as exploitable as they are invisible. Activist Pinky Mashiane is on a mission to help secure their rights.
Difference MakerSight unseen: This teacher brings science to life for blind studentsCarla Curran is working to ensure that visually impaired people have an opportunity to make contributions in science.
Difference MakerHow do you feed an island? Try World Central Kitchen.Two months after Hurricane Dorian, meals are still a challenge in the Bahamas. World Central Kitchen is cooking, and trying to rebuild resilience.
Difference MakerIn one of Mexico鈥檚 most dangerous places for women, his students push backEcatepec, Mexico, is a hot spot for violence against women. Manuel Amador is helping students push back against the idea that鈥檚 the way it has to be.
Difference MakerRich in spirit: How Rev. Robin Hood fights for housing justiceMeet Robin Hood, Chicago鈥檚 activist minister helping shield African American seniors from mortgage fraud.
Difference MakerThe soft power of mothers: Fighting extremism begins at homeA program that has taught mothers in 16 countries was created by Edit Schlaffer to help women whose children are being recruited by extremists.
Difference Maker鈥楢 place of refuge鈥�: Bird-watching takes flight on Chicago鈥檚 South SideWhen she created the first 鈥淎frobirding鈥� group 15 years ago, Sherry Williams helped broaden and diversify a pastime known for its narrow demographics.
Difference MakerUganda鈥檚 forests are disappearing. He鈥檚 fighting back.Environmental activist William Amanzuru鈥檚 network, Friends of Zoka, is determined to push back against illegal logging and deforestation in Uganda.
Cover StoryMelinda Gates: What she鈥檚 learnedHow her approach to philanthropy, and her own life, has changed after $50 billion of giving.聽
Difference MakerThese dogs get second chances. Just like their inmate caretakers.Pennsylvania nonprofit pairs dogs with inmates. The goal is to help participants land a full-time job within 90 days of their release.
Difference MakerBlack history in plain sight: One woman鈥檚 quest to topple stereotypesA New Hampshire civil rights advocate resurfaces hidden stories of African Americans. Her work helps dispel the myth that slavery didn't exist in the North.
Difference MakerThe woman who鈥檚 appeared for 700-plus exams 鈥� to help disabled studentsPushpa Nagaraj has volunteered as a scribe for hundreds of students with visual impairments in India, helping them navigate an exam-based system.
Difference MakerHow Seattle cafe鈥檚 鈥榬adical hospitality鈥� serves recovery communityA cafe in Seattle doubles as a refuge for those in recovery from addiction. It鈥檚 part of a nationwide network serving around 1,500 people a month.
Difference MakerJob training that puts people 鈥� and their community 鈥撀燽ack on trackMarvin DeJear鈥檚 Evelyn K. Davis Center shows that social service organizations can strengthen whole communities 鈥� one person at a time.
Difference MakerTo save rare ponies, one couple gives up almost everythingAmanda Simpson and Stathis Katsarelias have given up almost everything to care for Skyrian horses on the island of Sk铆ros.
Difference MakerAn imaginative space that helps kids believe in stories 鈥� and themselvesThe nonprofit Grimm & Co. boosts literacy skills at its store and in schools, serving close to 3,000 children a year in Rotherham, England.
Village store revival? German towns opt for community over big-box retailersPeter B枚hmer reopened the village store in his German home of Farchant a few years ago, and it has been going gangbusters ever since.
Difference MakerHow a Chicago photographer uses art to bridge racial dividesSometimes art allows people to see in a fresh way. Tonika Johnson鈥檚 project has done that by connecting opposite sides of a long-segregated city.
He鈥檚 a reader on the run 鈥� a 56-mile runTo support school libraries, Marukgwane Moremogolo combines his two passions聽鈥� running and reading聽鈥撀燼t South Africa鈥檚 grueling Comrades Marathon.