Tony Danza

Motivating Students

At 59, the actor wowed skeptics after stepping into a classroom at Northeast High in Philadelphia to teach 10th-grade English. Watch

Lisa Niemi Swayze

Searching for a Cure

After losing her husband, actor Patrick Swayze, to pancreatic cancer, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease. Watch

Pedro José Greer Jr., M.D.

Caring for the Poor

A resolute advocate for those in need, Dr. Pedro José Greer Jr. cares for 10,000 homeless patients every year. Watch

Maya Angelou

Andrus Award Winner

She is one of the most important voices of our time with a long list of accomplishments. Her latest? A book about smart eating. Read

Joy Behar & Eve Behar Scotti

Tackling Heart Disease

This mother-daughter team is spreading the word about the warning signs of heart attacks in women and how to tackle them head on. Watch

Helen Gayle, M.D.

Fighting Global Poverty

Her passion is to help people rebuild. As head of CARE, her new mission is empowering women and girls in the developing world. Watch

Henry Winkler

Helping Stroke Victims

The award-winning actor is lending his star power to help an estimated 1 million Americans affected by upper limb spasticity. Watch

Sandy Chen Stokes

Breaking Cultural Taboos

As founder of the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care, she is working to help families prepare for end-of-life care. Watch

Elizabeth Warren

Fixing Finances

An expert on debt's negative effect on families, she aims to protect millions of Americans from bad banking practices. Watch

CLINT EASTWOOD

Daring Director

At almost 80, the man known for the withering squint and whispery call to "make my day" is working harder than ever. Read

LONNIE ALI

Voice for Parkinson's

The wife of Muhammad Ali plays multiple roles — partner, caregiver, and public voice for more research into Parkinson's disease. Read

BRENDA KRAUSE EHEART

Bridge for Generation

The founder of Hope Meadows started a community for parents adopting foster children that grew into a widely regarded model for intergenerational life. Read

AIDA GIACHELLO, PH.D.

Latino Health Activist

The doctor and Latino health advocate collects data to enact policies that promote good health, prevent disease, and control chronic illnesses. Read

LEEZA GIBBONS

Voice of the Caregiver

The TV and radio host started a foundation to provide caregivers with resources for ensuring their own health and well-being. Read

SCOTT HAMILTON

Cancer Crusader

The ice skater and cancer survivor established the CARES Initiative, which has raised $10 million for research and cancer awareness. Read

TOM JOYNER

Education Advocate

The radio host started a foundation to address declining enrollments and shrinking endowments at black colleges and universities. Read

LILLY LEDBETTER

Equal-pay Advocate

The former night-shift supervisor sued her employer for equal pay, prompting Congress to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Read

CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS

Reluctant Hero

The captain's fast, focused thinking saved his crew from machine-gun-wielding Somali pirates. Read

RAQUEL WELCH

Advocate for Cancer Survivors

Since 2000, Welch and Hair U Wear have donated more than $1 million worth of wigs annually to the American Cancer Society. Read

Glenn Close

Mental Health Advocate

The actress and activist has embraced the effort to remove the stigma of mental disease. Watch

Richard M. Cohen

Voice for the Chronically Ill

The former CBS reporter with multiple sclerosis is a tireless advocate for people with chronic disease. Read

Martin Eakes

Lender to the Poor

This Durham, N.C., entrepreneur created a community credit union. Read

Katherine Freund

Transportation Activist

She created a nonprofit that last year offered more than 30,000 rides to seniors in eight states. Read

Peter Gallagher

Alzheimer's Activist

The actor has immersed himself in the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s. Read

David E. Hayes-Bautista

Latino-Health Researcher

Compassion and a love of data fuel his fight for health care access. Read

Quincy Jones

Global Poverty Fighter

The musician and entertainer devotes his free time to helping poor children throughout the world. Read

Susan Love, M.D.

Cancer Crusader

Cofounder of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, she works to accelerate the search for a cure. Read

Rose Nakamura

Compassionate Caregiver

Her program provides caregiving services for 1,000 older residents in Hawaii. Read

Alma Powell

Children's Advocate

She co-founded America's Promise Alliance, a children's aid organization. Read

Caroline Kennedy

Scion of Public Service

She uses her personal power to help those less fortunate. Read

Ed Boyer

Pilot with a Mission

He founded the first medical-air-transportation charity in the United States. Read

Pete C. Garcia

Affordable-housing Advocate

His nonprofit community-development corporation offers elder housing and employment training services. Read

Roslyn Hill

Urban-blight Fighter

She works to beautify — and revitalize — her city of Portland, Ore. Read

Cynthia Kenyon

Longevity Researcher

This molecular biologist discovered that aging can be turned on and off. Read

Gladys Knight

Health Crusader

Experience and love fuel her passion for diabetes prevention. Read

Liviu Librescu

Hero

He sacrificed his own life to protect others. Read

Barbara Morgan

Educator Turned Astronaut

Her out-of-this-world determination inspires passion for science. Read

Gary Sinise

Protector of Children

The actor's charitable organization has delivered more than 200,000 school kits to Iraqi children. Read

Helen Thomas

First Amendment Defender

This iconic newswoman grilled (and sometimes angered) nine presidents. Read

Robert De Niro

Tribeca Film Festival

He used his star power to help heal post-9/11 New York. Read

Elouise Cobell

American Indian Rights Activist

Her quest for justice revealed massive fraud of Indian revenues. Read

Jim Douglas

Vermont Governor

He unites political parties to make health insurance affordable. Read

Valerie Harper

The Hunger Project

The Emmy-winning actress works to eradicate hunger while empowering women in developing countries. Read

Shirley Ann Jackson

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

She's an energetic crusader for math and science education. Read

Jim Larranaga

George Mason University

The coach's winning basketball team inspired others to reach beyond expectations. Read

Jack McConnell, M.D.

Volunteers in Medicine Clinic

He brings medical care to the poor — and doctors out of retirement. Read

David Hyde Pierce

Alzheimer's Association

The actor and comedian battles the disease in memory of his parents. Read

Cordelia Taylor

Family House

She renovated a troubled city block into an innovative long-term care complex. Read

Marlo Thomas

St. Jude's Children's Hospital

The actress uses her celebrity to raise money and awareness for treatment of pediatric cancers. Read