Learn from Past 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…
Robert 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.
Sojourner 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…
Commemorating 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.…
Coretta 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.…
Howard 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…
Dorothea 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,…
Thomas 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…
Jacob 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…
Mary 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…