Idealists in Action

By following her passion and her instincts, Ellen Thomas went from video producer at The Dodo to working for Goats of Anarchy.

A survivor of the Holocaust and World War II, Gitta Ryle uses her experiences to teach others compassion, perseverance, and gratitude.

Susanne Friedrich and Alex Ndipo co-founded Green Spark, a non-profit planning to help plant 3500 moringa trees with Malawian communities.

“Smile. When you smile at someone, they pass it on to someone else, who passes it on to others. A smile is contagious in a very good way.”

Mario M. Aloba and his fellow Idealists of the Philippines provide aid and moral support to victims of a fire in QuezonCity.

“One thing anyone can do to have an impact is to leave every person, place, and thing a little better off than how you found it.”

Solomon Kwabena Gyimah, an idealist and education advocate, hopes to transform rural communities in Ghana with his foundation, REAP.

“I think idealism is innate. Children are so fresh from the Creator, and they themselves know how to create beauty, peace, kindness.”

Silver Owori tackles many social issues in his community, including organizing an Idealist Day fundraising Marathon for Safe Motherhood.

“Promote and foster empathy in yourself and others, instill it in your children and any children you can influence. “

Francis Osei, an idealist from Ghana, organizes neighborhood cleanup projects to combat malaria with the help of idealist youth.

“I have been an idealist since childhood. It’s the nature of my character. I choose being human, not just human being.”

Elizabeth Brewah believes that through mentorship and telling stories, she can help women in Sierra Leone change their own narratives.

“I will always be optimistic, hopeful and motivated because I do believe and trust in love. When love moves our hearts, good things…

“Each of us needs to dedicate some time for others, for sharing, for doing something without expecting anything in return.”

Mehreen Hussain used Idealist Days to start Autism Micro Business Builders, dedicated to finding job opportunities for adults with autism.

“To be an idealist means dreaming the world can be a better place and working to achieve that.”

Dori Cocoros, an idealist from Queens, New York City, ran a month-long sock drive for people experiencing homelessness in for Idealist Day.

Jessica Ryan hosts a series ofIdealist Day game nights with her theater group to foster connections through art and play.

Parissa Shiralian tells the story of her chance meeting with Nathen Sinclaire, a stranger who showed kindness when she most needed it.