Remember 21 personalities who have been examples for the world

This Tuesday (27/08) marks the 114th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Originally from Macedonia, she became a symbol of charity and compassion and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2016.

Just like her, there are other personalities who make a difference in the fight for peace, freedom and human rights in the world. Remember other examples!

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) – She revealed the discrimination prevalent in the United States in the 1950s, making an action that has become eternal: she did not give up her seat on the bus to a white man, on 12/1/1955, in Montgomery, the capital of the state of Alabama.

Rosa ended up being arrested. In the photo, the organizational chart showing where the place she was forced to leave was.

Rosa’s gesture motivated the black boycott of public transportation and was the seed of great anti-segregationist movements, symbolized by its greatest leader, Martin Luther King.

Gandhi (1869-1948) – He was the most important name in the anti-colonialist struggle in India – but always without violence – and one of the greatest pacifists on the planet. A lawyer, he inspired civil rights movements around the world. And through the strength of his preaching of peace he won freedom in his country.

Martin Luther King (1929-1968) – American pastor, symbol of the struggle for black rights, with worldwide repercussions. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1964), he preached nonviolent resistance. Author of the famous phrase “I have a dream”, pronounced in a historic speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) – A lawyer, he became the most important leader of black Africa. While fighting against apartheid, he was arrested and spent 27 years in prison, most of the time on Robben Island. He received more than 250 awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize (1993). He was President of South Africa (1995-1999).

Zilda Arns (1934-2010) – Brazilian doctor and public health specialist. Sister of Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns (Archbishop Emeritus of SP), she founded and coordinated the pastoral care of social assistance to children and the elderly at the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. She was on a humanitarian mission in Haiti when she died in an earthquake.

Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) – Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Cape Town (South Africa), he was also Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa between 1986 and 1966. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against apartheid, the regime of racial discrimination in his home country.

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) – German theologian and physician, a living example of the good coexistence between Science and Religion. He carried out important social and health work in Africa. Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. He was also a philosopher and organist, a specialist in Bach’s works.

Chico Xavier (1910-2002) – Medium from Minas Gerais, exponent of Kardecist Spiritism. He psychographed more than 400 books and sold more than 50 million copies, donating the money to charity. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize In 2012 he was chosen as “the greatest Brazilian in history” in a competition organized by the SBT and the BBC.

Sister Dulce (1914-1992) – Brazilian nun, born in Salvador (BA) and dedicated to helping the poor, was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2019. She became Saint Dulce of the Poor.

Chico Mendes (1944-1988) – Trade unionist and activist born in Acri, he fought in defense of rubber tappers in the Amazon basin and for the preservation of the forest. He received the Global 500 (from the UN) and the Better Environment Medal, awards given to great names linked to the valorization of Nature.

His murder had international repercussions. Paul McCartney released “How Many People” in his honor on the album “Flowers in The Dirt.” The Torture Group Nunca Mais created an award named Chico Mendes to honor personalities who fight for human rights.

Betinho (1935-1997) – Herbert de Souza was a sociologist and human rights activist. Created Citizenship Action against Hunger, Poverty and for Life. A hemophiliac, he contracted the HIV virus through a transfusion, at a time when AIDS was beginning to spread. He created the Interdisciplinary Association against AIDS to support patients.

Prophet Gentileza (1917-1996) – An urban preacher from São Paulo based in Rio de Janeiro, he became known for writing messages of peace on the pylons of the Gasometer Viaduct. He wore a white robe, a long beard and called himself a prophet, creating the phrase “Kindness begets kindness.”

Paulo Freire (1921-1997) – Educator and philosopher born in Recife (PE), considered one of the most important pedagogical thinkers in the world. Patron of Brazilian Education. He stood out for associating education with political awareness and social peace. He received the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education (1986).

Nise da Silveira (1905-1999) – A psychiatrist from Alagoas, he revolutionized the treatment of mental patients in Brazil. He fought against inhuman treatments (such as electroshock) and created therapeutic methods that included interaction with animals. He created the Museum of Images of the Unconscious, with artwork by patients.

Marie Curie (1867-1934) – Polish physicist and chemist naturalized French, she conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. First woman to win the Nobel Prize, the only one to receive it in two different fields: Physics (1903) and Chemistry (1911). During the First World War she created mobile radiological units for field hospitals.

Dom Hélder Câmara (1909-1999) – Catholic bishop, Archbishop Emeritus of Olinda and Recife. One of the founders of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. Great defender of human rights during the military dictatorship, he preached non-violence. Nominated 4 times for the Nobel Peace Prize (Brazilian with the most nominations).

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) – Diplomat, she was first lady of the USA under Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945) and was involved in initiatives in defense of citizens. She supported the creation of the UN and, in this entity, chaired the commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) – Catholic friar born in Assisi (present-day Italy). He founded the Franciscan order, which at that time renewed Catholicism. He devoted himself to helping the poor, spreading the Christian faith, and protecting animals. He is said to have received the wounds of Christ (a rare phenomenon).

Maria da Penha – Pharmacist, born 2/1/1945, victim of domestic violence, fought for the conviction of the aggressor. Her name gave rise to the law enacted in August 2006 that made the punishment for aggressors of women more severe. She founded an NGO to help victims.

Malala Youtsafzai – Pakistani activist, born 7/12/1997, the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, at 17 years old. Known for her fight for women’s rights in the country where the Taliban try to prevent her even from studying.