Natalie Pace, 2/8/12

Author, 'You vs. Wall Street'; CEO and Founder, Women's Investment Network, LLC

Some people gave up and left before the superstars took the stage, but those of us who braved the marathon are now meditation masters -- or at least intermediaries. OK, some of us are just zoned out.

Laura Giangiulio, 2/8/12

Principal, Metro Public Relations

Hollywood stars have a unique gift. It's not the ability to make audiences laugh (or cry), or the free swag constantly bestowed upon them. Their gift comes from the power to promote whatever they support to millions of people.

Shen Tong, 2/8/12

Occupy Wall Street activist

The movement has called for communal conversations in hundreds of American cities to successfully shift national dialogue from hypocritical austerity discussion to social and economic fairness.

Marianne Elliott, 2/8/12

Attorney, human rights advocate and author

passion, perseverance and innovation are sometimes highlighted at the expense of professionalism. When Nick Kristof, for example, told Maggie Doyne's story, he highlighted her youth and her passion.

Jacob Lief, 2/8/12

President and Founder, Ubuntu Education Fund

Township Cinderellas follows two 12th grade girls in their Cape Flats, South Africa township school. Both come from incredibly difficult home situations.

Marcia G. Yerman, 2/8/12

Writer on Women's Issues; Co-founder of cultureID

"Western soldiers will no longer be dying on a daily basis and, frankly, who will care any more about the deaths of Afghans after 2014? Can we honestly believe that, in this likely scenario, combating the abuse of poor children will be a priority?"

Joel John Roberts, 2/8/12

CEO, People Assisting the Homeless; Publisher of www.PovertyInsights.org

Four out of five physicians felt that meeting the social needs of a person is just as important as meeting their medical conditions. Of those care providers in low-income communities, nine out of ten felt the same.

Annis Brown, 2/8/12

Executive Director, Teach For America in Detroit

Our friendly rivalries aside, U of Michigan and MSU students alike are stepping up in meaningful ways to make an impact in the lives of students and the future of our state and country.

Clare Winterton, 2/8/12

Executive Director, International Museum of Women

Abigail E. Disney, 2/7/12

Founder and President, Daphne Foundation

When I use the word "suffering" I know what I am talking about. Last Friday, I watched my mother take her last labored breath after years of anguish, humiliation, physical pain and mental misery.

Yermi Brenner, 2/8/12

Journalist

In her struggle for gender equality, Makbula Nassar is trying to divert a decades-long trend. Arab women in Israel have always suffered from lack of political representation and a lack of access to decision-making and positions of power.

Sasha Bronner, 2/7/12

Editor, HuffPost Los Angeles

"It's Our Turn" hosted an audience of young women and men, parents, and students from around L.A. They welcomed women at the top of their game and ran panels discussing what it's like to be a best-selling author or a World Cup athlete. And frankly, I was jealous.

Jack Hidary, 2/7/12

Entrepreneur

Astro Teller and Megan Smith of Google gathered 50 innovators this past week to brainstorm breakthroughs that could impact the world.

Madeleine M. Kunin, 2/8/12

First Female Governor of Vermont; Marsh Scholar, University of Vermont

More than anyone I had ever known, Sister Elizabeth was ready for death. She knew she had lived a full and happy life; and in the process, she enabled countless others to live a better life too.

Marlo Thomas, 2/7/12

Award-winning actress, author, and activist

It's not every day that the federal government issues a postage stamp with your dad's picture on it. But our dad was not your every day kind of guy. On February 16, the U.S. Postal Service will officially release the new Danny Thomas stamp.

Caitlin Padula, 2/8/12

University of Chicago fellow and staff attorney, The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law

Did you know that switching the focus from treating chronic illnesses to preventing chronic diseases will not only improve the health of individuals and families all over the country, but will also rein in health care costs and strengthen the economy?

Sen. Bob Casey, 2/7/12

U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania

Children who learn more today earn more tomorrow, and the earlier children are exposed to quality learning opportunities, the better off they are.