Showing titles in Social Activists

The Civil War (1861–1865) was a pivotal time in US history. During the war, the nation was divided over the institution of slavery. While the Union, made up of Northern states, fought to end slavery in the US, the Confederacy, made up of Southern states, fought to keep slavery.

Pura Belpré grew up in Puerto Rico surrounded by stories. When she moved to New York and was offered the chance to work at the New York Public Library, she was thrilled to be able to help share her stories with children—especially multicultural and multilingual children like her. She persisted in bringing Spanish and bilingual storytelling and books to libraries across the city and across the country, and she wrote books and stories of her own to bring even more of her culture to people everywhere.

Una de las activistas chilenas más influyentes a nivel global, Julieta Martínez, creadora de la plataforma Tremendas, nos explica en este emocionante ensayo autobiográfico por qué a los diez años salió a la calle a protestar, por qué encontró en el activismo una razón de ser, por qué está convencida de que el mundo puede mejorar y por qué no se deja apabullar frente a las injusticias—como la desigualdad de género— y calamidades—como el cambio climático- a las que asisten las nuevas generaciones.

The killing of Emmett Till is widely remembered today as one of the most famous examples of lynchings in America. African American children in 1955 personally felt the terror of his murder. From the violent Woolworth's lunch-counter sit-ins in Jackson to the school walkouts of McComb, the young people of Mississippi picketed, boycotted, organized, spoke out, and marched, working to reveal the vulnerability of black bodies and the ugly nature of the world they lived in. These children changed that world.

Jacob Riis was determined to improve the living conditions of the poor—to fill their dark, ramshackle places with sunlight and soft, green grass. Places where children could play. After immigrating to New York City and working as a news reporter, Jacob was deeply affected by the poverty surrounding him, especially in the tenements.

Magnificent Kids! showcases 23 incredible young people who are making the world a better place for humanity, animals and the planet. The book contains ideas, inspiration and tools for anybody to get started with their own world-changing project.

Opal Lee grew up as a Black girl in Texas at a time when Black and white people were kept separate and Black people had fewer opportunities than white people did. She knew that this wasn’t right, and she grew up to be a teacher and a community leader, determined to help create a better future for all people. A big part of her work and life was making Juneteenth a national holiday to mark the end of enslavement for Black Americans. She loved this day as both a celebration and as a way of teaching about the past.

La activista social y líder de los derechos humanos Coretta Scott King inspiró a muchas personas alrededor del mundo con su valentía al promover un cambio. Incluso antes de conocer a su esposo, el reverendo Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta era una líder para su comunidad y continuó siéndolo junto a él y después que fue asesinado. Cantante y escritora, su legado es fundamental para los afroamericanos, las mujeres, y muchos otros hoy y en las generaciones futuras.

Once a kidnapped slave baby, George Washington Carver found freedom in learning everything he could about the world around him. Overcoming poverty and racism, George became a brilliant scientist and a gifted professor who dedicated his expertise to helping black farmers escape the devastating grip of poverty. George's scientific creativity knew no limits. His ingenious experimentation with peanuts and other plants helped rescue the failing Southern economy.

Starting in the 1960s, John Lewis began his activism alongside civil rights legend and good friend Martin Luther King Jr. He participated in many now-historic events, including the 1963 March of Washington, the Freedom Rides, and the Selma to Montgomery marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. John continued his impactful career when he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1986. He went on to serve seventeen terms until his death in 2020.

De la serie Mis Pequeños Héroes, llega el audiolibro de Clara Campoamor, la mujer que logró cambiar las leyes españolas para que todas las mujeres pudieran ejercer su derecho a voto. La mayoría de héroes que conocemos son seres extraordinarios con poderes mágicos y una capa ondeando en sus hombros. Pero también existen héroes de carne y hueso que algunas veces se equivocan y otras aciertan a lo grande. Clara Campoamor fue una de ellos. Sus poderes fueron un gran sentimiento de justicia y un infatigable compromiso con la lucha contra la desigualdad entre mujeres y hombres.

Before she became one of the most famous basketball players on the planet, before she began speaking out for prison reform, Maya Moore was just a kid. In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Andrew Maraniss, listeners learn more about the life and work of Maya Moore—from growing up with a single mother in Jefferson City, Missouri, to her journey to becoming a star player at UCONN and the WNBA, to her social justice fighting for prison reform and speaking up for Black Lives Matter.

Before he became one of the most famous basketball players on the planet, before he began speaking out for justice, LeBron James was just a kid. In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Andrew Maraniss, listeners learn more about the life and work of LeBron James—from growing up with a single mother in Akron, Ohio, to his journey to the NBA and ten NBA championships, to his social justice work creating I PROMISE and speaking up for Black Lives Matter.

In this chapter book biography by acclaimed author Andrew Maraniss, listeners learn more about the life and work of Pat Tillman—an NFL player who left his career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the army after 9/11, and ultimately was killed by friendly fire. After 9/11, Pat Tillman felt it was his duty as an American to stand up for the country, even though he was a pro football player in the prime of his career.

From a young age, Stephen Hawking had a strong sense of wonder and was full of questions about the world around him and the stars above. He would spend his whole life trying to figure out how the universe worked, including discovering truths about black holes and energy. And when he was diagnosed with a rare disease called ALS that destroys the nerve cells in the body, he would find his own mental energy to carry on with his studies even after his limbs and vocal chords stopped working. He became one of history's most influential scientists.

Athletes and the sports they play are popular across generations. Black athletes throughout time have become legends in their sports. They help shape the game, create change, and continue to break barriers in sports where they've been historically underrepresented. Their talent and passion inspire present and future players. Find out more about athletes such as Simone Manuel, Satchel Paige, and Maya Moore and celebrate their achievements in sports.

Black politicians have served in all levels of the United States government. As mayors, congresspersons, president, and more, Black politicians have created policies and initiatives to better serve community members. They have also addressed issues such as access to education, criminal justice, and affordable housing. Celebrate politicians such as Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Ilhan Omar, and Maynard Jackson Jr. who have made astounding achievements in politics.

Activism focuses on changing systems. Black activists address injustices in everything from education to the environment. Throughout history, activists have led protests, researched policies, organized community members, and more to transform the world around them. Shine a light on how activists such as Mari Copeny, John Legend, and Marian Wright Edelman have led change in their communities and worked to make justice possible for everyone.

Montgomery, Alabama 1955. Fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin is tired. Tired of white people thinking they’re better than her. Tired of going to separate schools and separate bathrooms. Most of all, she’s tired of having to give up her seat on the bus whenever a white person tells her to. She wants freedom NOW! But what can one teenager do? On a bus ride home from school one day, young Claudette takes a stand for justice and refuses to get up from her seat—nine months before Rosa Parks will become famous for doing the same.

Dolores Huerta always knew that helping others in her community was important. So when she became a teacher and saw how hard it was for her students from farm families to find enough to eat, she knew there was more she could do. Dolores became a labor rights activist, fighting for better conditions for farm workers. She started unions so that workers would be treated more fairly. And she was also a leader of the women's rights movement.