Joni Eareckson Tada

"A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson Tada a quadriplegic and in a wheelchair, unable to use her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, Joni re-entered the community with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. “My church made a huge difference in my family’s life as they demonstrated the love of God in practical ways,” says Joni.

Mrs. Tada wrote of her experiences in her international best-selling biography, Joni. Her name is now recognized in countries around the world following the distribution in many languages of her biography and the full-length feature film JONI. She has personally visited over 41 countries."

(As quoted from her website Joni and Friends)

I have personally mat Joni, when I was about 10 years old, at a local church in Southern California. I remember I was amazed at how beautiful be was and how she was so happy for no apparant reason. She was in her element at her home church and to this day, even though our conversation lasted only about a minute, she is one of the kindest people Ive met. She has the joy of Christ, despite her personal misfortune.

I encourage you to look around her website to see all the amazing things she does despite her disability. She is an example of what we as Christians should be.

Francine Rivers

My first experience with Francine Rivers came at a very important time for me, my first heartbreak. I read her novel, Redeeming Love, and had a vivid picture of what love should be and moreso what God's love is like. Francine is a author who's books have touched many peoples lives, just like her first christian novel changed mine. She became a born again Christian in 1986, and her life from that point has been one that all Christians can relate to. I strongly encourage you to read her testimony on her webpage. As a writer myself, I find her so inspiring for the way she is able to use her creativity as a tool to further the kingdom.

Click here to watch a video of Francine discussing her writing!

Sandy Allen

Sandy Allen is the world tallest living woman. I first learned about her one night while watching a special on The Learning Channel about the worlds tallest man. I was intrigued by her strength and personality. Sandy has a pituitary disorder that has caused her to grow at an unusually rapid rate. At 10 years old she stood 6'3" tall. Currently, she is 7'7" tall and because of excessive strain on her knees and circulation she is confined to a wheelchair. Her personality is one of a woman that never gives up. She recognizes that the greatest hardship in her life is also the greatest gift. She uses the fame she has been given to speak and give hope to others suffering from diseases. In 2001 a book entitled Cast A Giant Shadow was released about her life. Sandy is an inspiration to me, and many other people worldwide. She challenges us to look beneath the surface beauty to the soul of a person for thier true beautiful qualities. She teaches all that meet her that it doesnt matter the frame we are given, or the difficulties we face, it is what we do with them that count.

Wangari Muta Maathai

So I guess I'm just inspired today, either that or just feel like getting some posts done... because I'm posting again!

Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Kenya, and was the first woman in east and central Africa to earn any type of docorate degree. She is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation.

She has won numerous awards and prizes for her humanitarian and environmental work. Some of these awards include:
The Sophie Prize (2004)
The Petra Kelly Prize for Environment (2004)
The Conservation Scientist Award (2004)
J. Sterling Morton Award (2004)
WANGO Environment Award (2003)
Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award (2002)
Excellence Award from the Kenyan Community Abroad (2001)
Golden Ark Award (1994)
Juliet Hollister Award (2001)
Jane Adams Leadership Award (1993)
Edinburgh Medal (1993)
The Hunger Project's Africa Prize for Leadership (1991)
Goldman Environmental Prize (1991)
the Woman of the World (1989)
Windstar Award for the Environment (1988)
Better World Society Award (1986)
Right Livelihood Award (1984)
Woman of the Year Award (1983)
yeah.... thats a lot. I wish I had that many awards on my wall!

She has been a member of parliament in Kenya since 2002, and furthering her great work.

Listen here to hear an interview with her on NPR!

I really like this lady... obviously I don't know her, but just through researching her I can feel her compassion and drive to better her country. I feel like she would just be a really interesting person to sit down with, she looks so pleasant in her picture! So take some time to read about her and maybe you'll see what I mean!

Rigoberta Menchú

Rigoberta Menchu is someone I find absolutely extraordinary. She can from the most humble of roots, in Guatemala but was able to really make a difference for those around her and her country.

I know this is a quick little blog entry, but I really encourage you to look into the life she has had and the work that she has done! She's even a Nobel Peace Prize winner!

Rigoberta on Wikipedia
indians.org
Here she is!

Rugiatu Neneh Turay

It is no secret that the social injustices in Africa are growing daily. We often hear of ways we can help, by sending monetary aid or going on mission trips, but Rugiatu Neneh Turay took fighting the injustices to a higher level.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure that more that 130 million women have undergone. It is viewed as an ititiation ritual in many African cultures, even though in international aid and rights groups it is seen to be a massive human rights violation. The procedure is often done in extremely unsanitary conditions, with unsterilized tools, which has potential to spread the AIDS virus.

Turay was born in Seirra Leone 26 years ago, and underwent FGM when she was thirteen years old. After the death of her cousin, she knew she had to take action. She formed the Amazonian Initiative Movement. The organizations focus is on raising awareness of the dangers of FGM. Since performing this ritual is a huge source of income in such poor areas, AIM must also face the challenge of not only convincing people to stop doing the "surgery" but provide them with other options for providing for their families.

Turay is more than qualified for this job because after she fell victim to this terrible ritual, she continued on to perform it on twenty three other women. She says that at that point in her life it was the only way for her to feed her children.

Since starting AIM the orgaization has registered over 1,2oo practitioners who have agreed to stop practicing if given a different means of income.


Sorry I dont have a picture... I'll keep looking for one!

Katie Powell

Katie is another person who is inspiring to me. There isn't anything published about her, but who cares, shes still amazing! I first met her in junior high at summer camp but didn't get to know her until our freshman year of high school. She and I attended the same church, and grew up near each other. It wasn't until a few years later that I found out about where Katie came from.

When she was nine years old she was adopted from Russia.

One night at camp a few years later she told me the whole story... from the very beginning. Her mother was a teenager, and a drug addict. Soon after having Katie, her mother, most likely strung out, put her in a dumpster and left her there. If it weren't for a policeman patrolling the area that heard the newborns cries, she would never have been a part of my life. She spent years in and out of different orphanages and foster homes, before an American family made her theirs.

Katie is one of the most loving, happy, and crazy people I know. She has overcome huge obstacles and become a true testament to God's love. I am grateful her Katie's friendship, and grateful that she is a part of my life.