Throughout history, hundreds of incredible people were innovators & downright brave souls who changed history. Sadly, they never received recognition for this. Let’s change that! Here are twelve amazing people and the lessons they’ve taught us that we can carry around with us today. These are the kinds of stories that make you want to get up to do something meaningful—regardless of whether you get any recognition.
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The King of Ears
At 15 years old, Chester Greenwood invented the earmuffs. Yes, really! He was tired of his ears turning into ice cubes every winter and created something to cover them. Despite people initially laughing off his idea, Chester stuck to his guns & patented his invention that later became successful. From this, we know we should stick with our ideas—even if everyone else thinks you’re just blowing hot air. You never know if you might make it in the end!
A Heart the Size of an Ocean
During the darkest days of World War II, Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker, saved over 2,500 Jewish kids from the Warsaw Ghetto. She smuggled them out and gave them new identities. Unlike Oskar Schindler who did something similar, Sendler never received widespread attention for her bravery. Irena’s story shows us that kindness shines bright even in the bleakest times.
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The Man Who Made Streets Safer
You have Garrett Morgan to thank for our modern-day traffic light system. This African American inventor didn’t just stop at creating the gas mask, which is rather great on its own. No, he also gave us the three-position traffic signal. His ingenuity saved lives. Better yet, it showed that great ideas come from anyone, anywhere. We shouldn’t count anybody out.
Mother Nature’s Best Friend
Wangari Maathai was not your average environmentalist. She founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya which encouraged women to plant trees & fight deforestation. Her efforts helped Mother Nature as well as the women in these communities. From this, we can see how important it is to care for the planet. It also grows hope—and changes lives.
The Educator Extraordinaire
Mary McLeod Bethune believed in the power of education and especially for those who society tended to overlook. Starting with just $1.50, she founded a school for African American girls. Eventually, the school became Bethune-Cookman University. If that story doesn’t teach you how important education is for empowerment & equality, then we don’t know what is!
The Man Who Redefined Compassion
After witnessing the horrors of war, Jean Henri Dunant refused to stand by and he founded the Red Cross. He wanted to change how the world responds to disaster & conflict because he had a commitment to helping war victims regardless of their side. This later created the groundwork for the Geneva Conventions. Humanity can and should rise above conflict.
The Blood Bank Genius
Dr. Charles Drew’s work on blood transfusions and storage completely changed medical care, particularly during World War II. He invented the blood bank, a medical device that has saved countless lives since. Dr. Drew’s story shows just how science & innovation can be a force for good. It improves lives across the globe and we should celebrate them!
The Fighter for Farmworkers
Dolores Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union as a way to stand up for the rights of farmworkers through nonviolent protests and negotiations. She relentlessly fought for better wages and working conditions. It’s a clear sign of the power of using voice and collective action. Really, change is possible when you’re willing to speak up & stand strong—we should always feel that way.
The Math Whiz Who Reached for the Stars
Katherine Johnson’s brilliant mind helped NASA’s space missions succeed, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. We wouldn’t have gotten to the moon without her! Sadly, as an African-American woman in STEM, she didn’t receive much recognition for her work. Her story shows us why we need more seats at the table for everyone. It’s especially true in fields where they’ve been historically underrepresented.
The Legal Mind Behind Civil Rights
Despite the fact he helped dismantle segregation in the United States, Charles Hamilton Houston isn’t a household name. His legal work led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Charles’ story shows us that we should use any tools at our disposal to fight for justice. It doesn’t matter if that’s the law or something else—we can’t give up working towards equality.
The Man Who Gave Away the Cure
Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine and then did something unheard of—he didn’t patent it. This was deliberately so that the vaccine could be distributed far & wide. It would help to nearly eradicate polio. Selflessness has a huge impact on the world. While we might not all be able to change it like Salk, we can still show a little generosity to those around us to change their lives.
The Code-Breaker Who Saved Millions
Alan Turing was a brilliant mathematician who managed to crack the Enigma code used by the Nazis during World War II. How did he do it? He created a machine that could decipher encrypted messages, which significantly shortened the war & saved countless lives. Unfortunately, the British government later chemically castrated him for being gay and Turing took his own life. His story shows us the personal costs some heroes pay. We should honor the whole person—not just their achievements.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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