Mark Starr, 05/16/12

Program Director, Vet Voice Foundation

President Obama, through the Joining Forces Initiative, will be giving free annual passes to all of our National Parks and public lands to all active-duty military and their families. It might seem just like a nice gesture to offer the free pass, but it really is more.

Margaret Stone, 05/16/12

President, Veterans Healing Initiative

The question I face about our work is, "Doesn't the VA handle this?" The Department of Veterans Affairs works tirelessly to address the mental health needs of vets, but the reality is that it can't provide care to all those who have served.

Tom Arnold, 05/16/12

CEO of Concern Worldwide US and Concern Worldwide

The fight against hunger, especially child hunger, is at a critical crossroads. We have never had as much knowledge, evidence, political will and grassroots engagement as we do today to make malnutrition history.

Patricia McGuire, 05/16/12

President, Trinity Washington University

Real evil abounds in our world each day, and most of us are doing our level best to relieve the pain of evil's fallout. Faith leaders should support the good people who work hard to make a positive difference for children in this very imperfect world.

Michael Winship, 05/16/12

Senior writer, Moyers & Company; Senior writing fellow, Demos; President, Writers Guild, East

Wounded Warrior had asked some of us to come to Landstuhl to meet with the medical staff there. Some 3,000 strong, military and civilian, they work ceaselessly in what has become one of the busiest trauma centers in the world.

James S. Gordon, 05/16/12

Founder and Director, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C.

For two years, my colleagues and I have been training health and mental health professionals, teachers, priests, nuns, and voodoo healers to deal with their own stress and trauma and then to help the populations they serve.

Lisa Belkin, 05/15/12

Senior Columnist on Life/Work/Family, Huffington Post

Can we look at a woman nursing and think "lunch"? We have learned to stop blushing at the sight of a pregnant woman. It's more than time to give nursing mothers the same break. 

Alexandra Pisano, 05/16/12

Multimedia Journalist, Student at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism

The most dangerous drugs may be much closer to home than you think. In fact, they may already be in your home. You may be worried about your teenager's relationship with drugs, but this is probably a good time to start talking to your younger children, too.

Kindred Howard, 05/16/12

Founder, FAMILY UPWARD: Marriage, Parent, & Family Life Coaching

A life that began in destitution and illness in Ethiopia leads to a new home and family in the US -- and a role playing Jennifer Lopez' son in her latest film.

Michelle Brooks, 05/16/12

Lecturer, PhD Researcher in Human Geography, Head of Research at Inspire

This week in Egypt, in a joint statement medics and human rights organisations condemned the actions of the Freedom and Justice Party -the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in raising a convoy providing mobile female genital mutilation services and vaginal inspections.

Frances Beinecke, 05/16/12

President, Natural Resources Defense Council

Today, NRDC announces the winners of the 2012 Growing Green Awards. These awards celebrate the farmers, business owners, and bold thinkers who are transforming America's food system.

Carl Gibson, 05/16/12

Co-Founder, US Uncut

George Lucas, worth $3.2 billion as of 2011, may have ruined his reputation with his fans by creating Jar Jar Binks, but his latest move may be the finest moment of his career.

Abigail Noble, 05/16/12

Head, Latin America and Africa, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

While today's crisis may revolve around financial markets, tomorrow's will stem from the aftershock: hundreds of millions of young adults never incorporated in the job market. The repercussions of this lost generation will be devastating.

Dagfinn Høybråten, 05/15/12

Vice President, Norwegian Parliament; Chair, GAVI Alliance Board

In post-earthquake Haiti, the women weren't lined up waiting for food. They sat on wooden benches inside a large tent and waited patiently to have their children vaccinated.

Maria Foscarinis, 05/15/12

Founder and executive director, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Some recent reports suggest that homelessness is not increasing significantly. This is due to both flaws in the data they rely on and the narrow way they define homelessness. The result is confusion and misguided policies.

Thomas Kruczek, 05/15/12

Dean, College of Business and Management, Lynn University

There are countless examples of people who are attacking the world's greatest challenges with new possibilities fueled by ever-improving technologies. Although the challenges they take on may differ, all their efforts will help fulfill the promise of abundance for all people on the planet.

Jane D. Wurwand, 05/15/12

Founder, Owner of Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute

What did my mother want most for me? Prestige? No. She wanted me to be strong, free, independent, and happy. Being productive was the first and defining priority. Should it not still be?