31 Days of Human Rights Leaders
GCORR invites you to join us for "31 Days of Human Rights Leaders," a daily journey of inspiration, reflection, and action in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Human Relations Sunday within the United Methodist Church. This campaign celebrates individuals whose lives and legacies have shaped the ongoing fight for justice, equity, and dignity for all people.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each day, below and on social media, we will highlight a leader whose work has made a profound impact on human rights, from civil rights activists and educators to pioneers of nonviolent resistance and advocates for marginalized communities. Through their stories, we seek to uplift the values of love, justice, and service that are central to our faith and ministry.
César Chávez (1927-1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association.
The end of all education should surely be service to others.
- Speech at Commonwealth Club of California, 1984.
Pause for Reflection
How can I use my skills and knowledge to serve others?
Take Action Today
Volunteer for a local community service project.
A Practice for Every Day
Dedicate time each day to helping someone in need.
Additional Resources
Day 1
César Chávez
Day 2
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was an American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would also be free.
- Interview with Rosa Parks, 1995.
Pause For Reflection
How do I stand up for my rights and the rights of others?
Take Action Today
Learn about and connect to a local civil rights organization.
Practice for Every Day
Practice standing up for yourself and others in small ways.
Additional Resources
Day 3
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was an Indian lawyer and anti-colonial nationalist who led India to independence through nonviolent civil disobedience.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
- Attributed to Gandhi in numerous speeches and writings.
Pause for Reflection
How can I embody the change I want to see in my community?
Take Action Today
Perform an act of kindness or service for someone in need.
A Practice for Every Day
Practice nonviolence in thoughts, words, and actions.
Additional Resources
Day 4
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai (born 1997) is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.
- Speech at the United Nations, 2013
Pause for Reflection
How can I contribute to education in my community?
Take Action Today
Donate books or school supplies to a local school or library.
A Practice for Every Day
Spend time reading about educational challenges globally.
Additional Resources
Day 5
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary who became the first black president of South Africa.
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
- Speech at the Laureus World Sports Awards, 2000
Pause for Reflection
What challenges do I face that seem impossible, and how can I start tackling them?
Take Action Today
Take the first step towards a personal goal that feels daunting.
A Practice for Every Day
Reflect on a time you overcame a difficult challenge.
Additional Resources
Day 6
Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977) was an American voting and women's rights activist, community organizer, and a leader in the civil rights movement.
Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.
- Speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
Pause for Reflection
How can I contribute to the freedom and rights of others?
Take Action Today
Register to vote and encourage others to do the same.
A Practice for Every Day
Educate yourself about the history of voting rights.
Additional Resources
Day 7
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and social rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-apartheid work.
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
- Tutu, D. (1984). Nobel Peace Prize Lecture.
Pause for Reflection
Have I ever been neutral in a situation of injustice? Why?
Take Action Today
Speak out about an injustice you see today.
A Practice for Every Day
Reflect on how you can take a stand in your daily life.
Additional Resources
Day 8
Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was an American journalist, social activist, and co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.
People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time.
- Dorothy Day, “Loaves and Fishes,” 1963.
Pause For Reflection: What small actions can I take to contribute to a larger cause?
Take Action Today: Perform a small act of service, like feeding the homeless or helping a neighbor.
A Practice for Every Day: Commit to one small act of kindness each day.
Additional Resources
Day 9
Rigoberta Menchú
Rigoberta Menchú (born 1959) is a K’iche’ Maya woman from Guatemala, known for her work in promoting indigenous rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992.
We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism.
- Menchú, R. (1983). “I, Rigoberta Menchú.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I support the rights and respect of indigenous peoples?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself about the history and culture of a local indigenous community.
A Practice for Every Day: Promote and practice cultural sensitivity and respect.
Additional Resources
Day 10
Angela Davis
Angela Davis (born 1944) is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author. She emerged as a prominent counterculture activist and radical in the 1960s.
I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.
- Davis, A. (2016). “Freedom Is a Constant Struggle.”
Pause For Reflection: What are the things I cannot accept in my society, and how can I work to change them?
Take Action Today: Attend a local protest or community meeting on an issue you care about.
A Practice for Every Day: Educate yourself about systemic inequalities and how to address them.
Additional Resources
Day 11
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta (born 1930) is an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).
Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.
- Huerta, D. (2002). “A Dolores Huerta Reader.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I use everyday moments to create positive change?
Take Action Today: Have a conversation with someone about a social issue and ways to address it.
A Practice for Every Day: Look for opportunities to advocate for change in your daily life.
Additional Resources
Day 12
Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) was a Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor.
The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.
- Wiesel, E. (1986). Nobel Lecture.
Pause For Reflection: Where have I been indifferent, and how can I show more compassion?
Take Action Today: Reach out to someone who needs support and offer your help.
A Practice for Every Day: Practice empathy and active listening in your interactions.
Additional Resources
Day 13
Shirin Ebadi
Shirin Ebadi (born 1947) is an Iranian lawyer, former judge, and human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights, especially for women and children.
Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.
- Ebadi, S. (2003). Nobel Lecture.
Pause For Reflection: How can I advocate for universal human rights in my community?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself about human rights issues and support a human rights organization.
A Practice for Every Day: Stand up for the rights of others in your daily interactions.
Additional Resources
Day 14
Vandana Shiva
Vandana Shiva (born 1952) is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, and anti-globalization author.
Earth democracy connects the rights of all beings, not just the human species.
- Shiva, V. (2005). “Earth Democracy.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I contribute to the well-being of all living beings?
Take Action Today: Support local and sustainable food initiatives.
A Practice for Every Day: Make conscious choices to protect biodiversity and the environment.
Additional Resources
Day 15
John Lewis
John Lewis was a civil rights leader and politician who served as a U.S. Representative. He was on of the “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and organized the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches.
Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.
- (2018). “Speech at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.”
Pause For Reflection: When have I been afraid to speak up for what is right?
Take Action Today: Get involved in efforts to protect voting rights and fight against systemic racism.
A Practice for Every Day: Stand up for justice, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Additional Resources
Day 16
John Lewis
Larry Itliong was a Filipino American organizer and community leader who played an important role in the farm labor movement, including the Delano Grape Strike of the 1960s.was a civil rights leader and politician who served as a U.S. Representative. He was on of the “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and organized the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches.
We should have the same rights as anybody else. We’re human beings.
- (1965). “Speech during the Delano Grape Strike.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I support the rights of workers in my community?
Take Action Today: Learn about labor movements and support fair wages and worker rights.
A Practice for Every Day: Stand in solidarity with those fighting for workplace justice.
Additional Resources
Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong. Read by Homero Mejia (youtube.com)
Day 17
James Lawson
James Lawson (born 1928) is a civil rights leader and advocate of nonviolence. He mentored many civil rights activists, including John Lewis, and played a pivotal role in the Nashville lunch-counter sit-ins. Lawson’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance has influenced countless movements for justice.
Nonviolence is the only sure weapon we have to change people’s hearts.
- Lawson, J. (1960). Address on the power of nonviolence.
Pause For Reflection: How can I apply nonviolent methods to bring about change in my community?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself on the principles of nonviolence and participate in peaceful activism.
A Practice for Every Day: Use nonviolence in your actions and words to resolve conflicts.
Additional Resources
Day 18
Winona LaDuke
Winona LaDuke is an activist and founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project. She advocates for Native American land rights and environmental sustainability and ran for Vice President on the Green Party ticket in 1996 and 2000. She is the executive director of Honor the Earth, a Native environmental advocacy organization that played an active role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. In 1985 she helped found the Indigenous Women’s Network. That same year she also worked with Women of All Red Nations to publicize American forced sterilization of Native American women.
Our work is not just about the environment, it’s about a way of life.
- LaDuke, W. (1999). “All Our Relations.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I contribute to Indigenous rights and environmental justice?
Take Action Today: Support Indigenous-led environmental movements.
A Practice for Every Day: Incorporate eco-friendly practices into your daily life to support sustainability.
Additional Resources
Day 19
Madonna Thunder Hawk
Madonna Thunder Hawk is a Native American civil rights activist known for her leadership in the American Indian Movement and organizing against the Dakota Access Pipeline. She co-founded the American Indian organization Women of All Red Nations. an organization that focuses on issues affecting American Indian women, and serves as an organizer and tribal liaison for the Lakota People’s Law Project, which partners with Native communities to protect sacred lands, safeguard human rights, promote sustainability, and reunite indigenous families.
We’re still here. We have always been here. We will continue to be here.
- Thunder Hawk, M. (2017). “Speech at Dakota Access Pipeline Protest.”
Pause For Reflection: How can I support Indigenous resistance and activism?
Take Action Today: Participate in or support movements fighting for Indigenous sovereignty.
A Practice for Every Day: Amplify the voices of Indigenous activists in your community.
Additional Resources
Day 20
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was an American Baptist minister and leader in the civil rights movement, known for his use of nonviolent civil disobedience.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
- Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963.
Pause For Reflection: Where do I see injustice in my community, and how can I address it?
Take Action Today: Identify actions our church or community can take to address injustice in our community.
A Practice for Every Day: Read or listen to a speech by MLK to understand his vision.
Additional Resources
Day 21
Michelle Bachelot
Chile’s first female president, Michelle Bachelet now serves as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has a long history of activism. In 1975, she was detained and tortured for weeks after speaking out against Chile’s military dictatorship. She went on to serve as Chile’s president from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018. A physician by training, she spent her presidencies strengthening the rights of the country’s most vulnerable, including women and the LGBTQ+ community. Her appointment as the UN’s High Commissioner was well-received by the international community.
Equality is not just about fairness. It’s about unlocking the potential of every person.
- Bachelet, M. (2019). Speech as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Pause For Reflection: How can I advocate for equality in my everyday life?
Take Action Today: Get involved with initiatives that fight for gender and LGBTQ+ equality.
A Practice for Every Day: Challenge inequality in your interactions and ensure inclusivity in your spaces.
Additional Resources
Day 22
Greta Thunberg
Arguably the most famous human rights activist right now, Greta Thunberg travels the world to draw attention to the climate crisis. Only 17 years old, she began her activism in 2018 by skipping school to stand outside the Swedish Parliament calling for action. Other students joined and the movement went global. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and won Amnesty International’s top human rights award. In focusing on climate change, Thunberg draws attention to the fact that the climate crisis is a human rights crisis.
I want you to act as if your house is on fire, because it is.
- Thunberg, G. (2019). Speech at the UN Climate Action Summit.
Pause For Reflection: How can I reduce my carbon footprint and advocate for climate action?
Take Action Today: Join or support climate action movements.
A Practice for Every Day: Reduce your environmental impact by using eco-friendly products and cutting down on waste.
Additional Resources
Day 23
Dr. Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which focused on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women’s rights.
“You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people.”
- Maathai, W. (2004). Nobel Lecture.
Pause For Reflection: How can I empower others to take action for the environment?
Take Action Today: Support community-led environmental conservation efforts.
A Practice for Every Day: Plant a tree or support reforestation efforts in your local area.
Additional Resources: Wangari Maathai: Africa’s Environmental Hero! (youtube.com)
Day 24
Amelia Boynton Robinson
Amelia Boynton Robinson was a civil rights activist who played a key role in the Selma Voting Rights Movement. She was one of the organizers of the Selma to Montgomery marches, which helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
You can never know where you’re going unless you know where you've been.
- Robinson, A. (2015). Interview with The New York Times.
Pause For Reflection: How can I honor the legacy of past civil rights leaders in my activism?
Take Action Today: Advocate for voting rights and equality in your community.
A Practice for Every Day: Educate yourself and others about the history of civil rights movements.
Additional Resources
Day 25
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga
Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga (1925–2018) was a Japanese American activist and researcher whose work was instrumental in securing reparations for Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Her research uncovered government documents proving that the internment was not justified by military necessity.
We must never forget the injustice we faced, and ensure it never happens again.
- Herzig-Yoshinaga, A. (1988). Testimony before Congress.
Pause For Reflection: How can I help prevent historical injustices from being repeated?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself about past injustices and advocate for reparations and reconciliation.
A Practice for Every Day: Speak out against racial and ethnic discrimination in your daily life.
Additional Resources
Day 26
Yuria Celidwen
Yuria Celidwen is an Indigenous rights activist and scholar who advocates for the recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and cultural preservation. Her work focuses on mobilizing communities against environmental injustices.
Our land is not just where we live; it is part of who we are.
- Celidwen, Y. (2020). Indigenous Sovereignty and Environmental Justice: A Framework for Action.
Pause For Reflection: How can I support Indigenous communities in their struggles for sovereignty?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself about Indigenous rights and support local Indigenous initiatives.
A Practice for Every Day: Attend events or workshops focused on Indigenous issues in your area.
Additional Resources
Day 27
Nathan Phillips
Nathan Phillips is a Native American activist and elder known for advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental protection. He gained national recognition for his efforts to raise awareness of issues affecting Native communities.
I want to see a world where we can all be proud of our identities.
- Phillips, N. (2019). Indigenous Voices in Environmental Advocacy: The Role of Native Elders in Activism.
Pause For Reflection: What steps can I take to uplift Indigenous voices in my community?
Take Action Today: Advocate for policies that protect Indigenous rights and cultures.
A Practice for Every Day: Learn about local Indigenous history and share it with others.
Additional Resources
Day 28
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was a prominent Jewish theologian and civil rights activist known for his partnership with Martin Luther King Jr. He advocated for social justice and emphasized the moral responsibility to combat injustice.
In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.
- Heschel, A. J. (1965). The Prophets. New York: Harper & Row.
Pause For Reflection: How can I contribute to the fight for social justice in my own life?
Take Action Today: Join local movements that promote equality and justice.
A Practice for Every Day: Reflect on your own responsibilities in addressing social injustices.
Additional Resources
Day 29
Haunani-Kay Trask
Haunani-Kay Trask is a Hawaiian scholar, poet, and activist known for her advocacy of Hawaiian sovereignty and Indigenous rights. She emphasizes the importance of cultural identity and environmental stewardship in her work.
The land is our connection to the past, present, and future.
- Trask, H. K. (1999). From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Pause For Reflection: How can I engage with and support Indigenous struggles in my community?
Take Action Today: Learn about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples in your area.
A Practice for Every Day: Participate in events or actions that promote Indigenous rights and environmental justice.
Additional Resources
Day 30
Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist who led a women’s peace movement that helped end Liberia’s second civil war. In 2011, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in advancing peace and women’s rights.
You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.
- Gbowee, L. (2011). Nobel Peace Prize Lecture. Oslo, Norway.
Pause For Reflection: How can I advocate for peace and unity in my community?
Take Action Today: Join or support a local peacebuilding or advocacy organization.
A Practice for Every Day: Practice nonviolent communication in your interactions.
Additional Resources
Day 31
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese political leader and Nobel laureate who became an icon for democracy and nonviolence in Myanmar. Despite facing years of house arrest, she continued to fight for democracy and human rights in her country.
If you’re feeling helpless, help someone.
- Suu Kyi, A. S. (1991). Freedom from Fear.
Pause For Reflection: How can I support individuals who lack freedom and rights?
Take Action Today: Educate yourself about global issues regarding human rights and freedom.
A Practice for Every Day: Write letters or petitions to support those fighting for freedom globally.
Additional Resources