VOA's weekly spotlight on notable Americans who are having a positive impact on the world
Ruth Bader Ginsburg provides court's articulate liberal voice
Job of supporting spiritual life of students has become more complex
Dale Anderson keeps 27 exotic animals at California property
Philip Levine draws on his own past as a factory worker
Prompted by the 9/11 attacks, Samina Sundas founded American Muslim Voice
Kay Taylor's nonprofit screens women for HPV
Danielle Lee believes African-Americans face educational barriers
Nancy Grace Roman was NASA's first chief of astronomy
Mechanical engineer Peter Frykman's low-cost irrigation system is designed to improve crop yields for small farmers
African-American Belva Davis was among the first to break the color barrier
Warren Washington improves power of computer models and explains them to policy
His life's work is to help amputees live a full life
Just 10,000 of the big cats survive worldwide
Drew Gilpin Faust is prestigious university's 28th president
Bob Dylan credited with creating some of the greatest music of all time
Naomi Shihab Nye's poems are often devoted to social justice
Rachel Lloyd provides housing, education and job training for exploited teens
For 10 years, Hilton Kelley fought to lower Port Arthur's air pollution via protests, legal action against major oil, chemical companies
Mentoring USA works to keep kids in school
Mira Riad's The Littlest Lamb Orphanage to open near Cairo
Ellyn Ogden travels the world in an effort to eradicate the crippling disease
College classes give prisoners a head start for when they rejoin society
In free lectures to the community, John Cohen strives to make technical language understandable
Shirley Sneve brings audiences accurate portrayals of the culture
Retirement turns into mission to promote island's native singers
Producer reflects on a half-century in music
Michael Christensen's program brings laughter to ill children
Photographer Carol Highsmith's ambitious project to document today's US for future generations
Former US Poet Laureate uses a common touch to celebrate and explore our inner worlds
Under Robert Spano's direction, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is world class
Stan Lee created a world where heroes with super-human powers fight crime and evil
James Balog explores climate change and vanishing animals, landscapes
Entrepreneur Frederick Day gives 70,000 rugged bikes to the world's poorest people
John Adams co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation's first law firm for the environment
Frank Drake's quest for extraterrestrial intelligence spans decades
Susan Sarandon's latest role is helping to feed the world's hungry
Pioneering surgeon Albert Starr co-invented the heart valve
After a life-changing visit to the dump, Annie Leonard lobbies for tougher garbage disposal rules
Dee Dee Myers hopes to change the world by boosting women and girls
James Zogby works to give his community an influential voice
Latino experience is a common theme for Tony Ortega
Supporting wounded troops and their families is a personal mission
George McDonald's Doe Fund advocates for hard work, self-respect and opportunity
Layli Miller-Muro's Tahirih Justice Center has protected more than 10,000 women and girls
After growing up hungry and homeless in China, California woman spends her days feeding those in need
Former mountain climber scales new heights, building schools in impoverished mountain villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan
After her own husband died in the September 11 terror attacks, Susan Retik Ger reached out to help Afghan widows
Eboo Patel brings together young people of different religions
When too many of his students ended up dead or in prison, Joe Marshall set out to give them a better future
George Wein changed the way Americans experience music
Stephen Kress restored species to the state of Maine, where it had been decimated by hunters
US kids raise money, collect goods for their East African pen pals
Lawyer Howard Spiegler helps clients reclaim stolen works of art
Founder of grassroots volunteer group works to help the elderly live out their final years in dignity at home
Justin Silbaugh directs arts education project in Uganda
Greenmarket co-founder is out to change the way New Yorkers grow, buy and eat produce, one delicious apple and head of lettuce at a time
Her Jacob's Light Foundation send 'care packages' to active military personnel serving overseas
Donald Walsh's journey to the bottom of the ocean has never been repeated
New FAO ambassador will travel the world to raise awareness
Wyland's monumental murals promote ocean conservation, marine life protection
Investment professional aims to finance a healthy food distribution system
Mother of five makes history as first female house speaker
Laura Stachel, husband find way to fill basic need for reliable power
Bryan Wilson works to cut pollution from cookstoves, two-stroke engines, diesel
Long fight to end disease strengthens health systems in poor countries
Katharine Jefferts Schori leads a church with over two million members in 16 countries
Activist launches worldwide campaign to fight climate change
After 50 years, Faith Petric still takes center stage in the San Francisco Bay Area's folk music community
Francisco Ayala says evolution consistent with faith in God
Cell Biologist Elaine Fuchs: Revolutionizing the Study of Skin
Maya Enista's millennial generation utilizes social media to build a stronger democracy
Through education, networking and organizing she has made a positive difference worldwide.
Emily Pilloton launches socially responsible design revolution
Rediscovering his passion for art puts sculptor on path to fill critical gap in the American public arena
Innovator Nicholas Negroponte harnesses imagination, engineering and idealism to bring laptops to the world's children
Georgia family downsizes, donates half to charity
Award-winning actress wins acclaim for her ability to transform into whatever the role requires
Arthur Ammann develops cocktail to prevent mother-to-child transmission
Eugene Rodriguez transforms modest after-school program into major cultural center
Award-winning reporter Helen Thomas covered 10 US Presidents
Gay rights activist who worked with Harvey Milk, started iconic AIDS memorial to bear witness to lives lost and raise awareness about HI
Johnson's 'Playing for Change' music videos serve as inspiration to millions who have seen them on the Internet
He has fought tirelessly for minority inclusion and freedom of speech in American broadcasting
Lawyer turns his energies to building a permanent support network called Youth of Malawi
Salbi's "Women for Women International" gives women who've survived war the tools to rebuild their lives
Influential New York rabbi hosts a weekly talk show on an American Muslim TV network to encourage religious inclusiveness, tolerance
Activist organization is dedicated to promoting social, environmental and economic justice
Award-winning activist has used his innovative website, Grist.org, to bring environmental issues to an ever-widening audience
Leader of American Muslim organization dedicates himself to bringing people of different faiths together in productive dialogue
Organization recruits and trains America's brightest to teach in America's most underserved schools
Bill McKibben, guiding force behind International Day of Climate Action, promotes global grassroots campaign to reduce CO2 emissions
Agency head urges fair environmental protection under law
Wright directs the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
A longtime environmentalist earns a 2009 Heinz award for a grassroots movement that reduced his state's carbon footprint
Entrepreneur uses ingenuity to bring low-cost computing power to poor, remote corners of the world
In Richmond, California, Toody Maher is transforming a rundown park to benefit children and the community
Lebanese-American actor established award competition to encourage young Arab-Americans to write their own screenplays
McCune founded Radio Rookies program, offering skill, encouragement and airwaves to inner city youth
Sandra Day O'Connor among the 16 recipients of Presidential Medal of Freedom
His X PRIZE Foundation offers money to make "crazy" ideas fly
Mary Catherine Swanson wants to give students the support they need to reach their goals
Former Kennedy confidante, Sorensen continues to advocate for progressive causes
Founder of Acumen Fund combines business, charity to bring, health care, housing, clean water to low-income people
Former professional champion skateboarder says sport is here to stay
As host of "Democracy Now!," Goodman fights for fully informed and vigorous democratic debate
Avanzino coined idea, term "no-kill shelter" to designate shelters that do not euthanize adoptable animals
Woman dedicates life to cataloging life under water
Scientist says global community must shoulder burden of infectious diseases
Colorado couple shares love of African music with community, each other
Cuban immigrant heads organization building connections between charitable organizations, America's growing Latino population
Radio documentary maker tells the stories of colorful characters, everyday citizens
The Smile Train helps doctors in developing countries perform life-altering surgery on children with facial clefts
Veteran of child welfare system advocates for kids still separated from their families
Pulitzer Prize-winning artist continues to be pioneer in complex art form whose range extends well beyond juvenile humor, superheroes
"Threshold Choirs" sing lullabies for end of life
Former pro basketball player now world-respected urban farm advocate
Seven-time Grammy winner weaves human music with artistry of nature to celebrate all life