01of 25THE WOMEN OF MOMS AND STUDENTS DEMAND ACTIONJulian Dufort"We need to put people over profits," says Shenee Johnson, 45, whose son Kedrick was shot in the chest at a 2010 party, just weeks before he graduated high school. “We’re asking for common-sense laws.” That’s the message that Shannon Watts, who founded the nonpartisanMoms Demandat her kitchen table after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, works to promote after every devastating shooting. “When you look at activism in this country, from its very inception, women have been at the forefront of making things happen,” says Watts, 47, a mom of five. “I believe in strength in numbers. Once you do decide to get off the sidelines, you will find a tribe of women who will hold you up.” Among those women: Oscar winner Julianne Moore, 57, her daughter Liv Freundlich, 16, andStudents Demand Actionactivists like Ryan Pascal, 16.
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THE WOMEN OF MOMS AND STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION
Julian Dufort
“We need to put people over profits,” says Shenee Johnson, 45, whose son Kedrick was shot in the chest at a 2010 party, just weeks before he graduated high school. “We’re asking for common-sense laws.” That’s the message that Shannon Watts, who founded the nonpartisanMoms Demandat her kitchen table after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, works to promote after every devastating shooting. “When you look at activism in this country, from its very inception, women have been at the forefront of making things happen,” says Watts, 47, a mom of five. “I believe in strength in numbers. Once you do decide to get off the sidelines, you will find a tribe of women who will hold you up.” Among those women: Oscar winner Julianne Moore, 57, her daughter Liv Freundlich, 16, andStudents Demand Actionactivists like Ryan Pascal, 16.
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NIA BATTS & SOPHIA BUSH
Hudson Taylor
03of 25ANASTASIA HIGGINBOTHAMEllen NeiprisDivorce, death, sex, race: Higginbotham takes many of today’s most complex issues and translates them for young readers with her book seriesOrdinary Terrible Things.“It’s the series I wish I’d had as a child,” says the mother of two. “Children who read my work are seeing their own internal lives on the page.” The writer and illustrator, 47, who launched the series in 2015 withDivorce Is the Worst,says the books give kids “permission to feel everything.” Her newest book,Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,explores racism in America: “It invites young children to connect in an authentic and emotional way to justice.”
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ANASTASIA HIGGINBOTHAM
Ellen Neipris
Divorce, death, sex, race: Higginbotham takes many of today’s most complex issues and translates them for young readers with her book seriesOrdinary Terrible Things.“It’s the series I wish I’d had as a child,” says the mother of two. “Children who read my work are seeing their own internal lives on the page.” The writer and illustrator, 47, who launched the series in 2015 withDivorce Is the Worst,says the books give kids “permission to feel everything.” Her newest book,Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,explores racism in America: “It invites young children to connect in an authentic and emotional way to justice.”
04of 25PRIYANKA CHOPRAUNICEFWinning Miss World in 2000 showed Chopra she could make a difference on a global scale. “I realized I had a position of power and I could associate myself with causes I really believed in,” says the Indian actress, 36. For 12 years, theQuanticostar has worked withUNICEFas a global Goodwill Ambassador, visiting places in need like Zimbabwe and India’s Mumbai slums. “The field trips are the most special, because you meet incredi- ble kids and survivors,” Chopra says. “Working with these brave children around the world, the one thing that has changed in me is I do not take my life for granted.”
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PRIYANKA CHOPRA
UNICEF
Winning Miss World in 2000 showed Chopra she could make a difference on a global scale. “I realized I had a position of power and I could associate myself with causes I really believed in,” says the Indian actress, 36. For 12 years, theQuanticostar has worked withUNICEFas a global Goodwill Ambassador, visiting places in need like Zimbabwe and India’s Mumbai slums. “The field trips are the most special, because you meet incredi- ble kids and survivors,” Chopra says. “Working with these brave children around the world, the one thing that has changed in me is I do not take my life for granted.”
05of 25LENA WAITHEJohn Salangsang/BFA/ShutterstockAs an advocate for the LGBTQ community — and thefirst black woman to win the comedy writing award, for her work on Netflix’sMaster of None —Waithe says, “my goal is to be employing writers, directors and actors and help to really change the face of Hollywood.” Adds the Chicago native, 34: “I hope people can listen to each other and realize we’re a lot more alike than we are different.”
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LENA WAITHE
John Salangsang/BFA/Shutterstock
As an advocate for the LGBTQ community — and thefirst black woman to win the comedy writing award, for her work on Netflix’sMaster of None —Waithe says, “my goal is to be employing writers, directors and actors and help to really change the face of Hollywood.” Adds the Chicago native, 34: “I hope people can listen to each other and realize we’re a lot more alike than we are different.”
06of 25TARA MAYSON, TINA STRIDE & LISA MELCHERAnthony DetwilerLiving in West Virginia at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic that touched their own families, Mayson, Stride and Melcher provide hotline and personal support to addicts and their families throughThe Hope Dealer Project. They often drive people up to five hours to detox and rehab, pay for plane tickets or rent money for a sober house. “We believe in helping any way we can to stay in sobriety,” says Stride, whose son survived an overdose two months ago. The trio also helped pay for a funeral when one family lost two sons in one week. Says Stride: “We knew the family needed it.”
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TARA MAYSON, TINA STRIDE & LISA MELCHER
Anthony Detwiler
Living in West Virginia at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic that touched their own families, Mayson, Stride and Melcher provide hotline and personal support to addicts and their families throughThe Hope Dealer Project. They often drive people up to five hours to detox and rehab, pay for plane tickets or rent money for a sober house. “We believe in helping any way we can to stay in sobriety,” says Stride, whose son survived an overdose two months ago. The trio also helped pay for a funeral when one family lost two sons in one week. Says Stride: “We knew the family needed it.”
07of 25SHARON FELDSTEIN & PATSY NOAHBen TrivettThe longtime friends and power moms — Noah’s son isThe Voicestar and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, and Feldstein’s kids are actorsJonah Hilland Beanie Feldstein — foundedYour Mom Cares, a group of mothers of celebrities and influencers who bring attention to issues affecting underserved and impoverished children. “We give a voice to kids who don’t have one,” says Feldstein, 63, who along with Noah, 63, works with a multitude of youth-based charities “We’re so grateful we get to do this.”
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SHARON FELDSTEIN & PATSY NOAH
Ben Trivett
The longtime friends and power moms — Noah’s son isThe Voicestar and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, and Feldstein’s kids are actorsJonah Hilland Beanie Feldstein — foundedYour Mom Cares, a group of mothers of celebrities and influencers who bring attention to issues affecting underserved and impoverished children. “We give a voice to kids who don’t have one,” says Feldstein, 63, who along with Noah, 63, works with a multitude of youth-based charities “We’re so grateful we get to do this.”
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SARAH ULLMAN
Brinson + Banks
09of 25BONNIE HAMMERWesley Mann/AugustAfter her stepdaughter, Kimae, was mistaken as the nanny because the color of her skin was darker than her family’s, Hammer, chairman of NBC Universal Cable, was determined to eliminate unconscious bias. In 1994, Hammer, 68, created Erase The Hate, which recently relaunched with a renewed focus on supporting leaders who are working to combat hate in their communities. “We’ve lost the art of listening and trying to see and hear how other people think and feel,” she says. “So often people think that embracing difference is about tolerance, when it really needs to be about acceptance and appreciation.”
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BONNIE HAMMER
Wesley Mann/August
After her stepdaughter, Kimae, was mistaken as the nanny because the color of her skin was darker than her family’s, Hammer, chairman of NBC Universal Cable, was determined to eliminate unconscious bias. In 1994, Hammer, 68, created Erase The Hate, which recently relaunched with a renewed focus on supporting leaders who are working to combat hate in their communities. “We’ve lost the art of listening and trying to see and hear how other people think and feel,” she says. “So often people think that embracing difference is about tolerance, when it really needs to be about acceptance and appreciation.”
10of 25NAZANIN BONIADIAmnesty InternationalTwenty days after Boniadi was born, her parents fled Iran to raise her in London, where women were given more opportunity. “They gave up everything — I don’t take that for granted ever,” says theCounterpartactress, 38, who also stars in the upcoming filmHotel Mumbai.“So when I gained a platform, I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless in Iran.” After working withAmnesty Internationalto release prisoners of conscience for six years, Boniadi now serves on the board of theCenter for Human Rights in Iran.
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NAZANIN BONIADI
Amnesty International
Twenty days after Boniadi was born, her parents fled Iran to raise her in London, where women were given more opportunity. “They gave up everything — I don’t take that for granted ever,” says theCounterpartactress, 38, who also stars in the upcoming filmHotel Mumbai.“So when I gained a platform, I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless in Iran.” After working withAmnesty Internationalto release prisoners of conscience for six years, Boniadi now serves on the board of theCenter for Human Rights in Iran.
11of 25GINA RODRIGUEZDan Doperalski/Variety/REX/ShutterstockWhen Rodriguez made it big in Hollywood after landing the lead role onJane the Virgin, she embarked on a mission to make every set she walked on more diverse. The actress, 34, startedI Can and I Will Productions, which specializes in creating projects with minority and Latin representation in front of and behind the camera. “It’s about finally putting people in spaces that reflect not only what I see in the mirror,” she explains, “but what I see when I walk outside my door.”
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GINA RODRIGUEZ
Dan Doperalski/Variety/REX/Shutterstock
When Rodriguez made it big in Hollywood after landing the lead role onJane the Virgin, she embarked on a mission to make every set she walked on more diverse. The actress, 34, startedI Can and I Will Productions, which specializes in creating projects with minority and Latin representation in front of and behind the camera. “It’s about finally putting people in spaces that reflect not only what I see in the mirror,” she explains, “but what I see when I walk outside my door.”
12of 25PAM IORIOJay Conner/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA"I fell in love withBig Brothers Big Sistersbecause of their incredible work at the local level in all 50 states," says Iorio, 59, the president and CEO of the group, which matches a mentor — a “big” — with a mentee, known as a “little.” “It’s very emotional for me to hear them talk about their relationship,” says Iorio. “The littles are always very open and share with me the positive impact of their mentor. They do better in school, have higher aspirations and greater self-esteem.”
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PAM IORIO
Jay Conner/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA
“I fell in love withBig Brothers Big Sistersbecause of their incredible work at the local level in all 50 states,” says Iorio, 59, the president and CEO of the group, which matches a mentor — a “big” — with a mentee, known as a “little.” “It’s very emotional for me to hear them talk about their relationship,” says Iorio. “The littles are always very open and share with me the positive impact of their mentor. They do better in school, have higher aspirations and greater self-esteem.”
13of 25PEGGY WHITSONNASAWhitson has spent more time living in outer space — 665 days to be exact — than any other American. “I wanted to be an astronaut ever since watching theApollo 11moon landing,” says the biochemist, 58, who was also the first woman to command the International Space Station. “I’m lucky to have never quite recognized how the odds were stacked against me.” Whitson has worked on hundreds of experiments (“Everything from superconductor crystals to soybeans and stem cells”) that have led to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, medicine and agriculture. “You can do more than you’ve ever dreamed,” she says, “when you just keep pushing yourself—and keep on pushing.”
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PEGGY WHITSON
NASA
Whitson has spent more time living in outer space — 665 days to be exact — than any other American. “I wanted to be an astronaut ever since watching theApollo 11moon landing,” says the biochemist, 58, who was also the first woman to command the International Space Station. “I’m lucky to have never quite recognized how the odds were stacked against me.” Whitson has worked on hundreds of experiments (“Everything from superconductor crystals to soybeans and stem cells”) that have led to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, medicine and agriculture. “You can do more than you’ve ever dreamed,” she says, “when you just keep pushing yourself—and keep on pushing.”
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LISA BORDERS
Tina June Malek
15of 25KATHY NAJIMYRoy Rochlin/Getty"Since I was a kid I had a low tolerance for injustice," says Najimy, an advocate for women, the LGBTQ community and animals — and a trailblazer for the#MeToogeneration. At 61, the actress, who appears onVeep(she’s also behind the Off-Broadway playGloria: A Life,about Gloria Steinem), is helping create a global network of support for women who’ve suffered abuse and trauma.
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KATHY NAJIMY
Roy Rochlin/Getty
“Since I was a kid I had a low tolerance for injustice,” says Najimy, an advocate for women, the LGBTQ community and animals — and a trailblazer for the#MeToogeneration. At 61, the actress, who appears onVeep(she’s also behind the Off-Broadway playGloria: A Life,about Gloria Steinem), is helping create a global network of support for women who’ve suffered abuse and trauma.
16of 25YADIRA GALVANCourtesy Yadira GalvanAs a mom of three children with special needs, Galvan, 38, struggled to find resources in her hometown of Kennewick, Washington. In 2009 she started theFamily Resource Center of the Tri-Citiesfor low-income families and kids with special needs. “It’s a beautiful feeling,” says Galvan, pictured with kids Damian, 14, Diayanesis, 16, and Joshua, 13, of organizing everything from summer camps to hygiene programs to movie nights. “Families feel safe to bring their kids here. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s rewarding.”
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YADIRA GALVAN
Courtesy Yadira Galvan
As a mom of three children with special needs, Galvan, 38, struggled to find resources in her hometown of Kennewick, Washington. In 2009 she started theFamily Resource Center of the Tri-Citiesfor low-income families and kids with special needs. “It’s a beautiful feeling,” says Galvan, pictured with kids Damian, 14, Diayanesis, 16, and Joshua, 13, of organizing everything from summer camps to hygiene programs to movie nights. “Families feel safe to bring their kids here. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s rewarding.”
17of 25KERRY MAUNUS & APRIL GEORGEi4ColorThe two moms — Maunus has three boys and George has two girls — were looking for a way to instill gratitude in their kids when they dreamed upTurkey on the Table, a sweater-clad centerpiece with attachable feathers for written notes of thanks. “When we started doing the research, we learned that it’s not innate for kids to be grateful, and this is a way to teach that,” says Maunus, 42. The best part? Ten meals are provided to those in need with each $39.99 turkey sold. Since 2015 they have donated 862,022 meals through their partnership with Feeding America, which identifies one in eight Americans as food insecure. “People told us we couldn’t do this, and the response has been so validating,” says George, 46.
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KERRY MAUNUS & APRIL GEORGE
i4Color
The two moms — Maunus has three boys and George has two girls — were looking for a way to instill gratitude in their kids when they dreamed upTurkey on the Table, a sweater-clad centerpiece with attachable feathers for written notes of thanks. “When we started doing the research, we learned that it’s not innate for kids to be grateful, and this is a way to teach that,” says Maunus, 42. The best part? Ten meals are provided to those in need with each $39.99 turkey sold. Since 2015 they have donated 862,022 meals through their partnership with Feeding America, which identifies one in eight Americans as food insecure. “People told us we couldn’t do this, and the response has been so validating,” says George, 46.
18of 25YARA SHAHIDIEmilee McGovern/EighteenX18Even before turning 18 in February, Shahidi encouraged Gen Z to engage politically viaEighteen x 18. “There are two major problems: information dissemination and voter registration,” says theBlack-ishstar, who was accepted at Harvard for this year. “The information disseminated should allow us to form our opinions and determine partisanship, rather than the other way around,” she says of keeping the platform nonpartisan. With early voting numbers already breaking records, Shahidi hopes it sparks a trend. “My goal is that it’s a culture that’s here to stay,” she says.
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YARA SHAHIDI
Emilee McGovern/EighteenX18
Even before turning 18 in February, Shahidi encouraged Gen Z to engage politically viaEighteen x 18. “There are two major problems: information dissemination and voter registration,” says theBlack-ishstar, who was accepted at Harvard for this year. “The information disseminated should allow us to form our opinions and determine partisanship, rather than the other way around,” she says of keeping the platform nonpartisan. With early voting numbers already breaking records, Shahidi hopes it sparks a trend. “My goal is that it’s a culture that’s here to stay,” she says.
19of 25KATE BOSWORTHMichael Kovac/GettyAs Bosworth and her director husband, Michael Polish, researched their filmNona, they met with members of the nonprofitCAST, which aims to rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking. For Bosworth, 35, it meant facing the brutal truth of the problem right here in America. “Often with that feeling of anger and sadness comes a feeling to try and help,” she says. “If we lose our humanity to something like this, then we’re very lost.”
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KATE BOSWORTH
Michael Kovac/Getty
As Bosworth and her director husband, Michael Polish, researched their filmNona, they met with members of the nonprofitCAST, which aims to rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking. For Bosworth, 35, it meant facing the brutal truth of the problem right here in America. “Often with that feeling of anger and sadness comes a feeling to try and help,” she says. “If we lose our humanity to something like this, then we’re very lost.”
20of 25LAURA DERNKoury AngeloTheBig Little Liesactress is focused on organizations that create “active change you can see.” From replacing lead-tainted water pipes in Flint, Michigan, to working with theEnvironmental Protection Agencyto ban dangerous pesticides, theNatural Resources Defense Councilis “making a difference through law.” Dern is also a strong supporter of groups likeJustice in Motion, which protects migrant rights across borders to help separated families find each other. “We are leaving this world for the next generation of Republicans and Democrats alike,” adds Dern, 51. “Your voice matters.”
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LAURA DERN
Koury Angelo
TheBig Little Liesactress is focused on organizations that create “active change you can see.” From replacing lead-tainted water pipes in Flint, Michigan, to working with theEnvironmental Protection Agencyto ban dangerous pesticides, theNatural Resources Defense Councilis “making a difference through law.” Dern is also a strong supporter of groups likeJustice in Motion, which protects migrant rights across borders to help separated families find each other. “We are leaving this world for the next generation of Republicans and Democrats alike,” adds Dern, 51. “Your voice matters.”
21of 25KIM TAYLORLisa SzeAs the founder and CEO ofCluster, a recruitment firm, Taylor prioritizes placing people in thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs. “We’re focused on expanding the middle class,” says the Wisconsin native, 36. As automation redefines manufacturing, “it’s new-collar, not blue-collar,” she says. “We have to include everyone in the vision for the future.”
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KIM TAYLOR
Lisa Sze
As the founder and CEO ofCluster, a recruitment firm, Taylor prioritizes placing people in thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs. “We’re focused on expanding the middle class,” says the Wisconsin native, 36. As automation redefines manufacturing, “it’s new-collar, not blue-collar,” she says. “We have to include everyone in the vision for the future.”
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CAROLYN RAFAELIAN
Courtesy Carolyln Rafaelian
23of 25AMELIA FRANCK MEYERDoug KnutsonWorking in child welfare for 30 years taught Franck Meyer, 51, that “what children need is a consistent, nurturing protector,” she says. “The magic is another human being looking you in the eye and saying, ‘I’ve got your back.’ " Franck Meyer foundedAliato reform foster care and help keep kids with their families. “The longing to be with our families is in all of us. It’s a human truth.”
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AMELIA FRANCK MEYER
Doug Knutson
Working in child welfare for 30 years taught Franck Meyer, 51, that “what children need is a consistent, nurturing protector,” she says. “The magic is another human being looking you in the eye and saying, ‘I’ve got your back.’ " Franck Meyer foundedAliato reform foster care and help keep kids with their families. “The longing to be with our families is in all of us. It’s a human truth.”
24of 25KARISSA BODNARThrive CausemeticsGrowing up on a farm in Washington with the closest makeup store an hour away meant Bodnar, 29, started formulating her own makeup in elementary school. After college she founded vegan cosmetics lineThrive, a celebrity favorite with an added benefit: Every purchase helps bring funds and products to women in need. “I’ve always had a vision for helping women who are going through a hard time to feel really confident and beautiful,” Bodnar (pictured with her team) says.
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KARISSA BODNAR
Thrive Causemetics
Growing up on a farm in Washington with the closest makeup store an hour away meant Bodnar, 29, started formulating her own makeup in elementary school. After college she founded vegan cosmetics lineThrive, a celebrity favorite with an added benefit: Every purchase helps bring funds and products to women in need. “I’ve always had a vision for helping women who are going through a hard time to feel really confident and beautiful,” Bodnar (pictured with her team) says.
25of 25JAMIE MARGOLIN & NADIA NAZAREllery GrimmWhen they aren’t in school, the teenage students are working onZero Hour, a movement they created for young people who want to take climate change issues into their own hands. “I have no choice but to believe that somehow we will get through this,” says Margolin. “Because otherwise, what are you even fighting for?”
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JAMIE MARGOLIN & NADIA NAZAR
Ellery Grimm
When they aren’t in school, the teenage students are working onZero Hour, a movement they created for young people who want to take climate change issues into their own hands. “I have no choice but to believe that somehow we will get through this,” says Margolin. “Because otherwise, what are you even fighting for?”
source: people.com
