Reformers
Nelson Mandela was Freed from Prison 26 Years Ago Today
After being confined to Robben Island for most of his 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela walked out of prison 26 years ago, on February 11, 1990 and into the arms of a South Africa on the verge of transformation. He became South Africa’s first black president four years later on May 10, 1994 and…
Read MoreRobert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), who is often referred to as RFK or Bobby, was a contemporary social reformer who integrated his Christian faith into efforts to solve social struggles up until the day he was assassinated nearly 50 years ago.
Read MoreSojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (c. 1797 – 1883) was an itinerant preacher, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist who was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree. After being sold to four more owners, one fall morning at three o’clock she gathered a few articles of clothing and food and took her infant daughter, Sophia, and set off to…
Read MoreCommemorating President Abraham Lincoln 150 Years Later: A President and Christian Reformer
It was 150 years ago this week that the United States was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow upon hearing that President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On April 14, at 10:15 pm the assassin fired a shot and on April 15 at 7:22 am the President died. A manhunt immediately began and ended 12 days later…
Read MoreCoretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King (1927 – 2006) was a pioneer of the civil rights movement in the United States who worked side-by-side with her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, until his death. She continued their work after his assassination on April 4, 1968 and became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the…
Read MoreHoward Thurman
Howard Thurman (1899-1981), mystic, author, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader was rated as one of the 12 most important religious leaders in the United States in 1953 by Life magazine. After reading books by him or about him, you would likely agree, if you have not already. If you needed more convincing, just listen…
Read MoreDorothea Dix
Dorothea Dix (April 4, 1802 – July 17, 1887) was a Christian social reformer who largely operated in the public sphere. During her life time, she became one of the most influential social reformers of the nineteenth century. Before becoming the “voice of the mentally ill,” she began a career as a teacher and soon…
Read MoreThomas Merton: Monk, Mystic, and Mentor
Thomas Merton (1915 – 1968) was a prolific writer, mystic, and social activist who would be 100 years old if he were alive today. He wrote over sixty books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights. In his book entitled The Monastic Journey, he describes the Basic…
Read MoreJacob A. Riis: Reporter and Reformer
An eighteen-page article with engravings of 19 photographs by Jacob Riis appeared in the 1889 Christmas edition of Scribner’s Magazine. The photographs and the article exposed the shocking squalor and crime of tenement housing of the late 19th-century Lower East Side of Manhattan. A year later he expanded the article into his renowned book How…
Read MoreMary Harris Jones (a.k.a. “Mother Jones”)
As a social reformer, Mary “Mother” Jones exposed disturbing truths about child and adult factory workers and miners and perpetual poverty in the United States through numerous marches, demonstrations, strikes, and speeches. The influence of Christianity was evident throughout her life. She received a Catholic education as a girl and became a teacher in a…
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