Cesar Chavez

1927-1993 Born near Yuma, Arizona Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist. He worked for better conditions for agricultural workers after witnessing the harsh conditions farm laborers endured. He encouraged them to organize and fight back. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom after his death.

Cesar Chavez “Once social change begins, it can not be reversed. You can not uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Born 1945 Born near Rangoon Has been a major voice for human rights and freedom in Burma (Myanmar), a country dominated by a military government since 1962. Defied government bans on large political gatherings by speaking to crowds as the Secretary-General of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi “I think by now I have made it fairly clear that I am not very happy with the word ‘hope.’ I don’t believe in people just hoping. We work for what we want.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

1929-1968 Born in Atlanta, Georgia One of the 20th century’s best known advocates for non-violent social change. His exceptional oratorical skills and personal courage first attracted national attention in 1955 when he was arrested after leading a boycott. Organized numerous protests and demonstrations to draw attention to racial discrimination. Was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Martin Luther King, Jr. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Muhammad Yunus

Born 1940 Born in Chittagong, Bangladesh He is internationally renowned for his revolutionary system of micro-credit—the extension of small loans to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. He is motivated by his vision of a world without poverty. Founded Grameen Bank based on his conviction that credit is a human right.

Muhammad Yunus “Here we were talking about economic development, about investing billions of dollars in various programs, and I could see it wasn't billions of dollars people needed right away.”