FACT SHEET
MLK DAY 2017:
PROFILES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD
Get inspired! Read about leaders past and present who have made their mark on social
justice and human rights.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister,
social activist, humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and a leader in the Civil Rights
Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using peace and
nonviolence based on his Christian beliefs and the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. Today we
honor his legacy through service on MLK Day and through the dedication of schools and
public buildings; his life and work continues to inspire young activists across the nation and
around the world.
Nelson Mandela, one of the most recognizable human rights advocates of the twentieth
century, was dedicated to the liberties of his people. In 1944, he joined the African National
Congress (ANC) and actively worked to end the apartheid policies of the ruling National
Party. In 1994 Mandela became South Africa’s first black president, after serving 27 years in
prison for his political activism. Much of his work post-presidency was directed at the needs
of young people in South Africa and around the world.
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) is perhaps the most widely known suffragist of her generation
and has become an icon of the woman’s suffrage movement. She devoted her life to not
only fighting for women’s equality but for the equality of all people. Ignoring opposition and
abuse, Anthony traveled, lectured and canvassed across the nation for the right to vote. She
also campaigned for the abolition of slavery, the right for women to own their own property
and retain their earnings and she advocated for workers’ rights.
Jose Antonio Vargas (born February 3, 1981) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker,
and immigration rights activist. Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States
from the age of twelve, Vargas is best known for his groundbreaking essay on his life as
undocumented immigrant. He is the founder of Define American, a non-profit media and
culture organization that seeks to bring awareness around immigration and citizenship in
America. Vargas appeared on the cover of Time Magazine with undocumented immigrants
as part of a follow-up cover story entitled We Are Americans.
For as long as she can remember, Trisha Prabhu has been fascinated with the inner workings
of the brain. Angered by the suicide of an 11-year-old cyberbullying victim she’d never met—
and the sting of electronic insults she’d received—Prabhu decided to try to stop the abuse
at its source. Her research led her to create the product Rethink, which won her a spot as a
Google Science Fair 2014 Global Finalist. Rethink gives adolescents who are trying to post
an offensive message on social media a second chance to reconsider their decision. Her
product idea won first prize at the PowerPitch Competition.
generationOn.org
1
Jazz Jennings is an American transgender teenager, YouTube personality, spokesmodel,
television personality and LGBTQ rights activist. Jennings received national attention in
2007 when an interview with Barbara Walters aired on 20/20, which led to other highprofile interviews and appearances. Jennings now stars in her own hit show All That Jazz
an 11-episode series that will focus on her life as an average teenager dealing with school,
friends, dating and family.
Malala is a youth activist from Pakistan who fights for the right to education for women and
girls. Malala became an activist at the age of 12 when she joined her father to advocate for
education for girls, despite resistance from the Taliban. On October 9th 2012, Malala was
attacked by the Taliban on her way back from school. She suffered from a gunshot wound
and was in critical condition. After the attack, Malala moved to the United Kingdom, where
she continues to advocate for girls’ education through her book, movie and foundation. In
addition to writing a blog for BBC Urdu under a pseudonym and being featured in a New
York Times documentary, Malala travels all across Pakistan to speak about girls’ education
rights at rallies and on television. She is the youngest person to have received a Nobel Peace
Prize.
Camilo Jimenez is a Columbian youth activist, focused on the environment. Jimenez started
four non-profit organizations by the time he turned 22. ECOPUNTOS, his most well-known
endeavor, was founded on the belief that everyone should live an environmentally conscious
life. He has reached over 10,000 people in the city of Bogota while gathering over 20,000
recycled materials. His program encourages people to trade recyclable items in exchange for
rewards such as mobile phone credit and movie tickets at Ecopuntos machines.
Abraham M. Keita was the recipient of the 2015 International Children’s Peace Prize for his
work helping children in his homeland, Liberia. Abraham demands justice for children who
are victims of violence and inhumane treatment. During his tenure at the Liberian Children’s
Parliament, Abraham has organized peaceful protests and presented petitions to Liberia’s
government and international partners. His successes include Liberia’s adoption of laws for
children’s rights as established by the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
and the African Charter.
Christopher Yao believes in the power of youth to change the world. At age 14, Christopher
founded Kids Change the World, an American organization that promotes youth
volunteerism while also providing children’s health services, educational programs and
school funding. He has organized local fundraisers, established educational programs around
the world and collected awards from two U.S. presidents. Today Christopher continues
his charitable work as the Executive Director at Kids Change the World and as the Chief
Executive Director at Kids Change America.
generationOn.org
2