Giraffe Heroes Database
Si Kahn of Charlotte NC has dedicated his life to promoting civil rights in the poorest parts of the South. Putting his own career and personal safety aside, Kahn heads a team of skilled and experienced organizers who work with communities and organizations across the region under the auspices of Grassroots Leadership. Also a renowned singer/songwriter, Kahn's concerts promote social awareness.
Home when commended: North America, US, North Carolina Home now: North America, US, North Carolina Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Kube-I Kaiapo of Para, Brazil has continually put his life at risk to speak out on behalf of his endangered people's ancient way of life. With fellow tribesman Paulino Paiakan, Kaiapo brought international attention and support to Kaiapo tribe members charged by the Brazilian government with "interfering in the country's internal affairs" because they spoke out against a dam that would flood their ancestral homelands.
Home when commended: South America, Brazil Home now: South America, Brazil Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Through decades of violent turmoil, Tajwar Kakar has been fighting for the freedom of Afghanistan and for the rights of its women. Kakar has faced death threats to advocate for the education of young women so they can take part in the rebuilding of their country.
Home when commended: Asia, Pakistan Home now: Asia, Pakistan Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Noerine Kaleeba of Kampala, Uganda, was one of 15 founders of TASO (The AIDS Support Organization). Twelve others, including her husband, have died. A physical therapist, Kaleeba spearheaded TASO's mission: stop the shunning and stigmatization of people with HIV and AIDS in Uganda, where 30% of the population is infected. Under her direction, TASO gives 23,000 families support services, using drama, dance and song to educate the public about the disease.
Home when commended: Africa, Uganda Home now: Africa, Uganda Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Linda Kantor of New Haven CT protected a HUD housing project from addicts and thieves by buying the abandoned building across the street and turning it into a cultural center. She volunteered full time at the center, ignoring threats and hazards, to distribute food, clothing, toys, and plants to center clients, homeless shelters and to daycare centers.
Home when commended: North America, US, Connecticut Home now: North America, US, Connecticut Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Bryan Kaplan of Manlius NY has raised more money to buy open space lands than any other volunteer in the history of an annual fundraiser for a local land trust. He started when he was eight years old. Continuing to volunteer as a teenager, he spends long hours canvassing for sponsors before each year's walk, braving nasty weather, unfriendly dogs and people, and giving up long hours of free time.
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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Appalled by dangerous corporate operations of New England nuclear power plants, Deb Katz of Shelburne Falls MA gave up her private practice as a psychotherapist to found the Citizens Awareness Network, which spreads the word about the unreliability of old facilities, owners' hazardous operating procedures, massive abuse of public funds and the dumping of radioactive waste in poor, rural communities.
Home when commended: North America, US, Massachusetts Home now: North America, US, Massachusetts Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Hugh Kaufman of Washington DC, once the Environmental Protection Agency's chief hazardous waste investigator, has continually blown the whistle on the agency's mishandling of environmental issues. The EPA moved him to a dead-end job, but Kauffman continues to battle against polluters, helping private citizens protect the environment.
Home when commended: North America, US, Washington DC Home now: North America, US, Washington DC Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Jackie Kaufman and Randi Hacker of Montgomery VT left their lives as writers in New York City to start an environmental-action magazine for kids. Kaufman and Hacker maxed out their personal credit cards, and went three years without salaries, supporting themselves with other freelance work.
Home when commended: North America, US, Vermont Home now: North America, US, Vermont Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Snatam Kaur Khalsa of Mill Valley CA is a founding member of the student organization, Creating Our Future, informing and inspiring fellow students on environmental and social issues. A tireless worker for environmental, peace, and world hunger programs, Snatam also writes and performs music about social change.
Home when commended: North America, US, California Home now: North America, US, Oregon Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Judith Kavanaugh of Sarasota FL risked her career as an attorney to represent the Ray children, three hemophiliac boys with the AIDS virus. Despite disapproval by colleagues and clients, Kavanaugh successfully sued the school system to allow the boys to attend classes.
Home when commended: North America, US, Florida Home now: North America, US, Florida Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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Merchant marine captain Tom Keegan of Ontario CA, paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a drunken driver, invested his savings and all his time in renovating a tuna clipper into a seagoing clinic that will take medical volunteers to coastal cities in poor countries.
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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Randy Kehler and Betsy Corner of Colrain MA have an unwavering personal commitment to nonviolence and to ending the arms race. Decades ago the couple began refusing to pay federal taxes; instead, they’ve given the money to peace groups. The IRS seized their bank accounts and took ownership of their house.
Home when commended: North America, US, Massachusetts Home now: North America, US, Massachusetts Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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When Kip & Phyllis Keino took a dead friend’s children into their farmhouse in Eldoret, Kenya, word got around; people brought them other orphans until the Keinos were raising 61 kids in addition to their own seven. Kip, a world-renowned runner, and Phyllis, a nurse, are devoting themselves to the children instead of cashing in on his fame.
Home when commended: Africa, Kenya Home now: Africa, Kenya Gender: M (male) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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When Kip & Phyllis Keino took a dead friend’s children into their farmhouse in Eldoret, Kenya, word got around; people brought them other orphans until the Keinos were raising 61 kids in addition to their own seven. Kip, a world-renowned runner, and Phyllis, a nurse, are devoting themselves to the children instead of cashing in on his fame.
Home when commended: Africa, Kenya Home now: Africa, Kenya Gender: C (couple) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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When Phyllis & Kip Keino took a dead friend’s children into their farmhouse in Eldoret, Kenya, word got around; people brought them other orphans until they were raising 61 kids in addition to their own seven. Kip, a world-renowned runner, and Phyllis, a nurse, are devoting themselves to the children instead of cashing in on his fame.
Home when commended: Africa, Kenya Home now: Africa, Kenya Gender: F (female) For more information, click on the Giraffe's name.
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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.
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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.