Global Issues, Social Justice, and Activism
Some Important Persons Dedicated to the Pursuit of Social Justice
Martin Luther King, Jr.(1929-1968)
Civil Rights Leader
1964 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the website for The King Center. / Mahatma Gandhi
(1869-1948)
Spiritual and political leader for India's independence from Britain through nonviolent protest.
For more information, visit the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. / Nelson Mandela
(1918-)
Resisted South African apartheid (imprisoned, 1962-1982); President of South Africa (1994-1999).
1993 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link.
Aung San Suu Kyi
(1945-)
Nonviolent activist for democracy and human rights in Myanmar (Burma). Under house arrest since 1990.
1991 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. / Rigoberta Menchú Tum
(1959-)
Human Rights Activist for Rights of Indigenous Peoples
1992 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. / The Dalai Lama
(1935-)
Spiritual Leader of the Tibetan people
1989 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link.
Abraham Lincoln
(1809- 1865)
16th President of the United States; issued Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that declared the freedom of slaves. / Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895)
Escaped slavery and became prominent activist for abolition of slavery and for the civil rights of all oppressed people. / Rosa Parks
(1913-2005)
Civil rights activist who challenged racial segregation in 1955 by refusing to give up her seat on a bus for a white man.
Susan B. Anthony
(1820-1906)
Social activist who lobbied against slavery and for women's rights. She is most notably known for her involvement in suffragist movement (women's right to vote).
For more information, visit this link. / Elizabeth Cady Stanton
(1815-1902)
Pioneer with Susan Anthony in women's rights movement. For more information, visit this link. / Jane Addams
(1860-1935)
Pioneer social worker and feminist.
1931 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link.
Simone de Beauvoir
(1908-1986)
Philosopher and social essayist.
Her 1959 book, The Second Sex, had an important impact on 20th Century feminism. / Betty Friedan
(1921-2006)
Feminist activist; co-founder of National Organization for Women (NOW). Wrote influential 1963 book The Feminine Mystique.Visit the NOW website / Patsy Mink
(1927-2002)
Feminist activist, first Asian-American woman as well as woman of color to be elected to Congress. A leader in the passage of Title IX and named NOW Woman of Vision in June, 2002.
Gloria Steinem
(1934-)
Contemporary feminist activist; founding editor Ms. Magazine.
For more information, visit the Ms. Magazine website. / Maya Angelou
(1928-)
Author, civil-rights activist, and feminist. Confronts themes of racism and classism in her writings and speeches.
For more information, visit this link. / Marian Wright Edelman
(1939-)
Founder of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), which advocates for rights of children.
For more information, visit the CDF webpage.
Russell Means
(1939-)
Activist for Native American rights; first national director of American Indian Movement (AIM).
For more information, visit the AIM website. / Cesar Chavez
(1927-1993)
Farm worker rights organizer; founded United Farm Workers (UFW).
For more information, visit the UFW website. / Malcolm X
(1925-1966)
Activist for African American pride and empowerment.
For more information, visit the official Malcolm X website.
Elie Wiesel
(1928-)
Jewish Holocaust survivor and advocate for peace.
1986 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. / Mother Teresa
(Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)
(1910-1997)
Devoted life to working among the poorest of the poor.
1979 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. / Amartya Sen
(1933-)
Economist whose work has helped understand world poverty and famine.
1998 Recipient of Nobel Prize in Economics.
For more information, visit this link.
.Ralph Nader
(1934-)
Consumer advocate, environmentalist, critic of corporate abuse; founder of Public Interest Research Group (PIRG);
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the PIRG website. / Jesse Jackson
(1941-)
Civil rights activist and religious leader; founder of Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), now known as the Rainbow/Push Coalition (RPC).
For more information, visit the RPC website / Noam Chomsky
(1928-)
Equally famous in linguistics and politics. Has been a critic of abuses of power by government and corporations. Two of his notable books include Manufacturing Consent and Deterring Democracy.
Ronald Takaki
(1939-)
Historian who has addressed dilemmas of race and ethnicity in the U.S. Some of his influential books include Iron Cages: Race and Culture in 19th Century America; Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans; and A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. / Harvey Milk
(1930-1978)
First openly gay man elected to public office in U.S. (San Francisco City Council, 1977); assassinated in 1978.
For more information, visit this link. / Audre Lorde
(1934-1992)
Poet; activist for gay and lesbian rights; advocate for celebration of African American culture.
For more information, visit this link.
Eleanor Roosevelt
(1884-1962)
First Lady of the United States (1933-1945); head of U.N. Human Rights Commission that drafts Declaration of Human Rights (1946-1947); civil rights and human rights activist.
For more information, visit this link. / Frances Fox Piven
(1932-)
Political scientist whose work has addressed the role of welfare as a form of political and economic control over the poor and the working class. Two of her notable books include Regulating the Poor and Why Americans Don't Vote. / Howard Zinn
(1922-)
Historian and social justice activist. His most famous book is A People's History of the United States. Some of his essays are collected in the Zinn Reader: Writings on Disobedience and Democracy.
John Muir
(1838-1914)
One of the founders of the environmentalist movement; first President of Sierra Club.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the Sierra Club website. / Rachel Carson
(1907-1964)
Exposed how chemicals used in agriculture were polluting the water supply and ourselves.
For more information, visit this link. / Julia Butterfly Hill
(1974-)
Environmental activist; founder of Circle of Life Foundation. Wrote book on social activism, One Makes A Difference: Inspiring Actions That Change a World.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the Circle of Life Foundation's website.
Wilma Mankiller
(1945-)
The first woman elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Advocate for the Cherokee Nation; established the Cherokee Community Development Department. For more information, visit this link or the National Women's Hall of Fame. / Bono
(Paul Hewson)
(1960-)
Singer/songwriter and social activist. Has lobbied for Third World debt relief, human rights, and the environment. / Naomi Klein
(1970-)
Activist journalist; her award-winning book, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies, highlighted the far-reaching impact of global corporations on culture and poverty. For more information, visit the No Logo website.
Dennis Banks
(1937-)
Native American leader, activist, teacher, lecturer, and author. He founded the Sacred Run and co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM).
For more information, visit this link.
Some Organizations Working for Social Justice
Descriptions of each organization are taken from their websites.
OneWorld Foundation(Founded 1995)
An internet community of over 1250 organizations with the aim of promoting human rights and sustainable development.
For more information, visit the OneWorld website. / Amnesty International
(Founded in 1961, UK)
World-wide organization working for the protection of human rights.
1977 Recipient for Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the AI website. / Human Rights Watch
(Founded in 1978, as Helsinki Watch).
Monitors human rights abuses across the world.
For more information, visit the HRW website.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
(Founded in 1951, Geneva, Switzerland)
International relief organization for refugees.
1981 Recipient for Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the UNHCR website. / Doctors Without Borders
(Medicines Sans Frontieres)
(Founded in 1971, Belgium)
Provides humanitarian assistance to disaster victims across the world.
1999 Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information, visit this link. Or visit the organization's website. / Global Exchange
(Founded in 1988)
Human rights organization dedicated to worldwide environmental, political, and social justice.
For more information, visit organization's website.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
(Founded in 1946)
Works to help children in poverty in developing countries.
For more information, visit the UNICEF website. / Save the Children
(Founded 1932, USA)
Devoted to providing children across the world with safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Global March Against Child Labour
(Founded in 1998).
Works to protect and to promote the rights of all children with emphasis on right to education and freedom from economic exploitation.information, visit the organization's website.
America's Second Harvest
(Founded 1979)
Provides emergency food assistance to millions of hungry Americans each year.
For more information, visit the organization's website. Or visit the local Second Harvest website. / Habitat for Humanity
(Founded in 1976)
Builds houses for low-income people worldwide.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Oxfam
(Founded in 1965)
Seeks lasting solutions to poverty, suffering, and injustice across the world.
For more information, visit the Oxfam website.
First Peoples Worldwide
(Founded in 1980.)
Advocates for self-governance of Indigenous peoples around the world.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Fair and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR)
(Founded in 1986)
National media watch group committed to countering media bias and censorship.
For more information, visit the FAIR website. / Media Watch
(Founded in 1984)
Seeks to educate consumers about racism, sexism, and violence in the media.
For more information, visit this Santa Cruz organization's website.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(Founded in 1973)
National organization for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Soulforce
(Founded in 1998)
An interfaith movement dedicated to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Teaching for Change
(Founded in 1999)
Promotes social and economic justice through public education.
For more information, visit the organization's website.
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)
(Founded in 1972).
An alliance of student and community organizations that advocate for the public interest.
For more information, visit the PIRG website. Or visit the CALPIRG website. / Environmental Defense Fund
(Founded in 1967)
Evaluates and seeks solutions to environmental problems.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
(Founded in 1917)
Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service.
For more information, visit the AFSC website.
Friends of the Earth
(Founded in 1971)
The largest international network of environmental groups in the world.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Greenpeace
(Founded in 1971.)
Campaigns against environmental degradation.
For more information, visit the organization's website. / Environmental Justice Foundation
(Founded in 1999.)
Environmental organization that trains and supports communities who are directly affected by environmental abuses.
For more information, visit the organization's website.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
(Founded in 1920.)
Seeks to fight civil liberties violations wherever and whenever they occur to ensure rights of all Americans.
For more information, visit the ACLU website. / Southern PovertyLawCenter (SPLC)
(Founded in 1971.)
Pursues legal actions to win equal rights for poor people and minorities; works against hate groups; fosters tolerance education programs.
For more information, visit SPLC website or Teaching Tolerance website. / Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community (CJTC)
(Founded in January 2000)
The Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community (CJTC) at UC Santa Cruz is a research institute tackling issues of social justice, diversity and tolerance, and the building of collaborative relationships between the university and local community.