12 people who will inspire you to make a difference in 2020
From a homeowner who is rebuilding after hurricanes to an iconic Supreme Court justice who hasn’t let anything slow her down
By Maura Pally, Executive Vice President, Clinton Foundation
“From a young age, I learned that everyone has a story and everyone’s story has value. And once we know each other’s stories, all our differences become less important — we are people first.” — President Bill Clinton
This message — putting people first — was the theme of President Clinton’s campaign for president in 1992. And it’s a call to action that has continued through his work in the White House and beyond. As the executive vice president of the Clinton Foundation, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and learning about countless individuals in the United States and around the world who are dedicated to writing better life stories — not just for themselves but for their communities and for others.
As we close the chapter on another year, keep reading to learn about some of the incredible individuals who inspired us in 2019 — from a homeowner in the U.S. Virgin Islands who is rebuilding after hurricanes destroyed her home, to a 86-year old Supreme Court justice who hasn’t let anything slow her down.
Adele Thomas, a homeowner who was committed to rebuilding her family home after it was damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
This summer, President Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton met with Adele Thomas, a resident of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. During Hurricanes Maria and Irma, her family home had been badly damaged.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Thomas says of the storm. “Half the roof was gone. We had to run for our lives.” Despite the immensity of the damage, Thomas was committed to saving her family’s home: “I want to keep [the house] my grandfather put together. I want to keep that going for my kids because family is so important to me.”
During the visit, the Clintons saw firsthand how her home has been rebuilt, with more resilient materials that can better withstand future storms, through a commitment by Love City Strong, a member of our CGI Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery. Watch more from their visit.
Jane and Scott Wolfe, two laundromat owners in New Orleans who are helping turn a load of laundry into a learning opportunity.

This fall, the Clinton family made a surprise visit to Melba’s and Wash World, an iconic po-boy shop and laundromat in New Orleans. They were there to see how co-founders Jane and Scott Wolfe have transformed the laundromat into a vibrant and dynamic space where families can integrate learning activities into their everyday routines.
In partnership with our Too Small to Fail team, the laundromat recently debuted a reading and play space, which includes a collection of books for a wide range of young readers. The program builds on research which shows how everyday interactions with children — particularly talking, reading, and singing — can build their vocabularies and lay a foundation for lifelong learning.
“We hit a vein with this: literacy, community, and food,” says Wolfe. “You’re communing with your family — parents and kids spending time together. We want to make it as valuable as that time can be.” Learn more about the visit from the New Orleans Time-Picayune.
Avila Lindgren, an entrepreneur who is helping more women assume leadership roles in the fight against climate change.
In Curaçao, an island nation in the Caribbean, entrepreneur Avila Lindgren is pioneering a creative approach to fight climate change. By collecting and reusing algae from wastewater, her organization, CaribAlgae, creates biofuel, a renewable source of energy.
Through our Women in Renewable Energy (“WIRE”) Network, Avila is also tackling another challenge: the lack of women in leadership roles across in the renewable energy industry. By joining a cohort of women who mentor and support one other, Lindgren hopes to help lift more women into positions of power — to allow more voices to be heard in the critical fight against climate change. Learn more.
We also would like to thank the players of the Dutch Postcode Lottery and the People’s Postcode Lottery, whose participation helps to support the work of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the WIRE Network.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who spoke to a crowd of more than 13,000 people at an event hosted by the Clinton Presidential Center and Clinton School of Public Service.
Twenty-six years after President Bill Clinton nominated Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court, the two took the stage again this year.
In front of a crowd of more than 13,000 people, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg answered questions from NPR’s legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg about her quarter-century on the nation’s highest bench.
Asked how she keeps going, even weeks after cancer treatment, Justice Ginsburg replied: “I think my work is what saved me because instead of dwelling on my physical discomforts…I know I’ve just got to get it done and so I have to get over it.” See more highlights from the event.
Byron Sanders, a Presidential Leadership Scholar who is helping close the opportunity gap through visual, performing, and digital arts.
A few years ago, while participating in the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, Bryon Sanders became inspired to leave his job in finance and devote his time to helping close the opportunity gap for youth in communities throughout Dallas, Texas.
This summer, Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush made a visit to Sanders’ organization, Big Thought, where they saw firsthand how the organization is helping young people improve job skills, gain a positive self-image, and increase social and emotional development.
“I saw that creativity really was a spark,” says Sanders. “Kids lit up when they got an opportunity for their creative self to come forward.” Watch more from the visit.
Madalitso Chakwawa, a farmer who believes that networks of collaboration can help feed his community.
In Malawi, farming can be a difficult enterprise. Many farmers face declining yields, limited inputs, and erratic weather patterns from climate change. Additionally, they don’t always have access to information about market prices or opportunities to sell their crops.
To tackle these challenges, farmers like Madalitso Chakwawa, are coming together. Along with members of our Clinton Development Initiative (CDI), Chakwawa is helping to build a community of farmers who can achieve more by working in groups or “hub farming.” Through collaboration, the farmers can access more of the information and resources that they need to feed their families and their neighbors.
Chakwawa says he constantly encourages other farmers in his community to join: “We’ve had a lot of people coming to ask how we started the business. We simply tell them we are part of CDI and we work together in groups. That way, if an opportunity like this comes, then they can also benefit from it.” To learn more, read about another hub farmer, Fanny Kuwani.
Nate Mook, a philanthropic leader working tirelessly to feed millions around the world — from Puerto Rico to Venezuela.

As the executive director for World Central Kitchen, Nate Mook works with the nonprofit’s founder, activist, and humanitarian Chef José Andrés, to provide meals in the wake of disasters.
This year, World Central Kitchen teamed up Acceso Colombia — an agribusiness built by the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership — and other partners to expand a program that is expected to provide 1.5 million meals for Venezuelan refugees who are living in Colombia.
Approximately 1.3 million people have resettled in Colombia, many fleeing violence, insecurity, and threats as well as lack of food, medicine, and essential services. “By providing local produce for our chefs each week, Acceso Colombia is helping us feed thousands of Venezuelan refugees with fresh, healthy meals every day,” Nate says. Learn more about the partnership.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, who spoke with President Bill Clinton about the fight to end the opioid crisis in the United States.
On average, nearly 130 people a day die of opioid overdoses across America, and millions more are in need of treatment. This year, on an episode of our podcast, “Why Am I Telling You This?,” former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sat down with President Bill Clinton to talk about the state of the crisis and solutions we can all support.
“I think we can take people who need and want treatment and actually get them the lifesaving treatment that they deserve,” Dr. Murthy says. He adds: “You don’t need a medical degree or a nursing degree to be able to provide support and a listening ear to somebody who is struggling with addiction, to help them feel that they are being judged for an illness.” Listen to the conversation.
Kristin Duquette, a young leader who is promoting a greater understanding of disability rights.
This fall, we hosted our first gathering of CGI U alumni, where we celebrated 12 years of progress, social impact, and innovation.
At the event, alumni Kristin Duquette spoke about her work promoting a greater understanding of disability rights through an event called “A Day in A Wheelchair.” The goal of the event was to place able-bodied students in wheelchairs for a period of 12–48 hours and combine the experience with a structured discussion on disability rights.
“The failures I experience only occur when I’m so wrapped in fear and doubt that I don’t try,” says Kristin. “CGI U is so action-oriented and remembering that my actions are worth something is important.” See more highlights from the event.
Rachel Fobare, a high school teacher in South Carolina who is empowering her students to develop lifelong healthy habits.
Located in rural South Carolina, Lower Richland High School has earned the distinction of being named one of America’s Healthiest Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
At Lower Richland, teachers like Rachel Fobare are devoted to helping students learn lifelong healthy habits — through classroom fitness breaks, educational activities, nutritious school lunch options, and much more.
“When you think about the amount of time that you spend with your students — this is the foundation of their health and well-being,” she says. “We’re trying to make our school the healthiest it can be for our students.” Learn more.
Fagan Harris, a leader who believes that empowering social entrepreneurs is the key to reducing economic inequality.
In 1992, President Bill Clinton ran on a platform focused on economic growth and shared prosperity. This fall, he brought together leaders at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas to explore new ways to expand on the progress that was made during the 1990’s.
At the event, Fagan Harris spoke about his role as chief executive officer for Baltimore Corps, an organization that enlists talented people in public service and social entrepreneurship in Baltimore City.
“Main Street will rebuild itself if we invest in it,” Harris says. “We’re trying to close those gaps. We’re trying to find those entrepreneurs of color who are left out by virtue of their zip code and, yes, the color of their skin.”
BONUS: Farmers in Haiti who are transforming their lives and bolstering the local economy

In Haiti, more than sixty percent of the population relies on farming for their income. But on average, farmers own less than two hectares of land and face challenges ranging from low yields, weak market linkages, poor access to inputs, and volatile climate conditions. Haiti is also still rebuilding following multiple natural disasters in the last decade.
But in 2019, with support from the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, farmers have launched Lavi Spicy Peanut Butter — produced through a farming cooperation known as Acesso Haiti. To learn more about Lavi and what makes it special, visit laviforhaiti.com.
We hope these individuals will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us. Click here to see how you can support this work.

