Silvia Usuriaga, 02/23/12

Program Coordinator for Nature and Culture International

A healthy ecosystem is essential to all of our livelihoods, but for indigenous groups,many of whom have suffered slave-like treatment at the hands of missionaries, robber barons, loggers, miners, industrial farmers and drug gangs, protecting their environment means saving themselves from utter obliteration.

Amy Schrier, 02/22/12

Founder and CEO, MISSION.tv

We all know women have had billion-dollar ideas. But it is challenging to go from billion-dollar idea up the long and arduous path of venture capitalist acceptance than ends in billion-dollar company. And not one woman has made it yet.

Josephine Nabukenya, 02/22/12

Ambassador, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

My participation in the Dance Marathon at UCLA was life-changing. In a room full of American students my age, I was able to see that regardless of where we come from, we are all passionate about saving lives.

Randall Amster, 02/22/12

Author, educator, and editor of New Clear Vision

I'd like to share a story, a personal story, a common story, an American story. For nearly two decades, I have carried the burden of a crushing student loan debt, well over six figures and impossible for me to fathom paying off in this lifetime.

Mel Miskimen, 02/22/12

Freelance writer

What about buying underpants that were imported, made in India, but were from a co-op, owned by local women, who benefited from each sale? Wouldn't that do as much good as a pair that may have been made here, but from cotton imported from God-knows-where, picked by tiny children?

Carrie White, 02/22/12

Hollywood hairdresser; author, 'Upper Cut: Highlights of My Hollywood Life'

I see a sign over another door: Tattoo Removal. I had noticed this place was filled with people who had more ink on them than I had seen at a lifetime of rock concerts. "Hard to get a job with F*^k You tattooed across your forehead," Bird says.

Payvand Seyedali, 02/22/12

Educator and Cultural Commentator

What did Sadat do? If suicide attempts are usually a cry for help, then these acts of self-immolation in Afghanistan should be considered roars.

Lesley Girkins, 02/22/12

Student, UCLA

At the end of the night, everyone was more educated about the cause, and felt inspired to stay involved with the fight against pediatric AIDS. Involvement of this magnitude proves that this community cares.

Stacy Bare, 02/22/12

National Military Family and Veterans Representative, Sierra Club

We can use the President's proposal as a springboard for encouraging more veterans to find work in outdoor and outside professions.

Philipp Schwind, 02/22/12

Philosophy graduate student, University of Miami

How is it possible for an institution of higher learning to educate young minds, help to turn them into responsible critical citizens and leaders while at the same time ignoring the plight of those who work in the community?

Soraya Chemaly, 02/22/12

Feminist satirist and media critic

"This is not what we want for the next generation of girls. This is a time for people to raise awareness ... and create community-based solutions to make public places safer for everyone."

Rep. Charles Rangel, 02/22/12

Representative from the 15th Congressional District in New York

Since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the historic Social Security Act of 1935, unemployment insurance has kept American families from falling into poverty. Seventy seven years later, this vital lifeline for unemployment insurance recipients continues to be weakened.

Diana Nyad, 02/22/12

Long Distance Swimmer, Journalist, Broadcaster

Confidence, long-term belief, discipline, grace in defeat -- all qualities that help us make a good life -- were constructed as my personal foundation directly through my participation in sports.

Marcus Samuelsson, 02/22/12

Chef and author

Harlem is alive and thriving, more so now than ever before, and in many cases food is at the center of Harlem's new economic growth. Within the midst of great history and cultural diversity lies a food side of Harlem just waiting to be discovered by those foodies who seek it.

Gabe Canales, 02/22/12

Founder, Blue Cure Foundation

Celts for Blue Cure won't be just another cancer awareness event. It will bring a message for action aimed directly at students. That message? Diet and lifestyle can help you avoid getting prostate cancer.

Linda Novick O'Keefe, 02/22/12

Founding Executive Director, Common Threads

An elementary schooler got to participate in the biggest sports event in America through Fuel Up to Play 60, a program that uses the star-power of NFL players to get kids excited about exercise.

Jeffrey Hollender, 02/22/12

Co-Founder, Seventh Generation

There is no denying that our oceans are in grave peril, and the conventional tuna industry now must make a choice: fish more sustainably, or lose market share to those who do.