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Julia Endicott of Everett WA was one of a group of high school students who wrote and put on a play in response to the deaths of two popular classmates. They were met with resistance from their teacher, the administration, and their friends, but these teens persisted. The play was a critical success—but more important to these young performers—the play helped their peers and the entire community deal with their shock and grief. (See also Grant Pavolka, Shelley Honingbaum, Kristin Kusnic, Bridgette MacAfee, Cathleen Bakker and Billy Giese.)
Home when commended: North America, US, Washington Home now: North America, US, Washington Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Juliette Engel, a Seattle radiologist, was so appalled by women’s health care in the former Soviet Union that she sold her medical practice and her personal furniture and art, and then took out personal loans to fund sending hundreds of US obstetricians, nurses and midwives to teach in Russian hospitals. The non-profit organization she founded, MiraMed, is building a state-of-the-art maternity hospital in Moscow.
Home when commended: North America, US, Washington Home now: Russia, Asia Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Marcela Enriquez-Vasquez of Quito, Equador, one of the few female lawyers in that country, sacrificed her own future when she filed the first environmental suit against the federal government. The suit stopped oil drilling in a national park that is home to an indigenous tribe. Working on a shoestring budget, Vasquez and her legal partner, Byron Real-Lopez, continue to work to make sure the decision holds.
Home when commended: South America, Ecuador Home now: South America, Ecuador Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Elana Michelle Erdstein of Huntington MI was 12 when she decided to assist the homeless by giving them the toiletries so many people bring home from hotels and never use. She set up collection sites all over town, supplied thousands of comfort items to shelters, and trained other kids to replicate her system.
Home when commended: North America, US, Michigan Home now: North America, US, Michigan Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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In a Los Angeles neighborhood known for gangs, poverty and violence, fifth-grade public school teacher Rafe Esquith has, for decades, turned out high-scoring scholars who go on to successful lives. Esquith succeeds with his great expectations for the kids, and with above-and-beyond investments of his creativity, time and attention.
Home when commended: North America, US, California Home now: North America, US, California Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Melanie and Russell Essary of Forest Hills NY want to save the planet. Melanie, when she was seven, mounted a campaign to save elephants from being killed for their ivory tusks. When he was eight, Russell began working to get ozone-destroying CFCs banned. They then started KiDS S.T.O.P. to further their causes and to help other kids start action groups like their own. KiDS S.T.O.P. soon had 400 chapters, with over 12,000 members.
Home when commended: North America, US, New York Home now: North America, US, New York Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Russell and Melanie Essary of Forest Hills NY want to save the planet. Melanie, when she was seven, mounted a campaign to save elephants from being killed for their ivory tusks. When he was eight, Russell began working to get ozone-destroying CFCs banned. They then started KiDS S.T.O.P. to further their causes and to help other kids start action groups like their own. KiDS S.T.O.P. soon had 400 chapters, with over 12,000 members.
Home when commended: North America, US, New York Home now: North America, US, New York Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Nickole Evans has been a one-teen whirlwind of service action in her Kennewick, Washington community, assisting migrant and immigrant families, teaching information technology to at-risk kids and the disabled, and working to stop violence. She’s even braved shots from BB guns in a neighborhood of Bosnian refugees where she goes to talk about peaceful co-existence.
Home when commended: North America, US, Washington Home now: North America, US, Washington Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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1 Way 2 Help
FIND GIRAFFES
Please note
We're adding stories and photos to the Giraffe Heroes database everyday. If information isn't visible yet, know that we're working on it.
YOU & THE FOUNDER
From time to time, Ann Medlock, this Project's founder, does a brief but inspiring email called Heads Up. You can check out past copies here. They're so good (and so free) we bet you'll join the Heads Up circle and send them on to friends & family.
For further wit & wisdom from Ann, check out her speeches, radio commentaries and OpEds.