Social Justice is demonstrated by heroes across the globe in these featured films, stories and art. The quality of fair and just relations between the individual and society is at the core of social justice. Meet remarkable heroes through these films, art and stories, and create a dialogue on the importance of social justice in their daily lives.
Black Lives Matter: Voices of Hope and Change
Equal Justice Initiative
The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
Bryan Stevenson and Equal Justice Initiative litigate cases for the unjustly imprisoned and work to reform the justice system.
Bryan Stevenson has been recognized across the globe for the work that he has done to address poverty and racial inequality.
Bryan Stevenson is a public interest attorney who has dedicated his life to representing poor people and people of color who have received unjust treatment in the U.S. Criminal Justice System.
MY HERO International Film Winner Words Have Power Film and Lesson Plan for High School Students
MY HERO International Film Festival Winner Words Have Power is about a 10 year old girl who rallied her community to protest the health effects that a local power plant had on their community and succeeded in having the plant close. Lesson plan activities provided by Young Voice for the Planet and organized by grade level.
High School Words Have Power Lesson Plan
Access to Education for All
An Indian girl gains a bicycle, and the will to achieve.
Armene Modi provides bicycles to girls in rural Indian villages so they can continue their education.
In some rural Indian villages, when boys completed grade seven, their family would buy them a bicycle to ensure they received a good education. With a bicycle, the commute to the high school would only be fifteen minutes. However, when girls completed grade seven they would not receive bicycles and would have to walk an hour each way to school. Learn how having a bicycle allows girls to continue their education in rural India.
Viola Vaughn developed a non-profit organization, "10,000 Girls," providing education and training for young women of Senegal, Africa. She has devoted her life to helping others achieve, empowering young girls to make a difference. The goal of 10,000 Girls is to provide both education and business training to girls throughout Africa.
Mrs. Viola Vaughn runs "10,000 Girls," a project in Senegal, Africa, which aims to help girls in education and vocational training.
Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa.
In India, Educate Girls works to make education accessible to girls, mobilizing communities to help girls achieve their full potential.
India has the highest number of girls out of school and the highest number of child brides than anywhere on the planet. In many rural villages in India, a critical gender gap exists. Educate Girls has created an army working towards equal access to education for girls.
2. How have the groups featured in these films addressed the challenges to education girls face?
3. Do you know of any other people or organizations working to address issues that may be preventing girls from receiving an education? Who are they? Share their story with MY HERO.
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop critical thinking skills as they discuss the barriers girls around the world face regarding education. They will evaluate obstacles that impact the girls' ability to go to school. Students are encouraged to create an action plan.
Use the multimedia resource showcase link to learn more about John Lewis who dedicated his life to advancing human rights and civil liberties.
Use the multimedia showcase link below to learn more about Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and human rights activist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
Each of these films reflect on the plight of the featured individual illustrating the ongoing struggle for equal access and personal safety in various areas around the world.
Grace Lee Boggs is a 95-year-old Chinese American philosopher and activist and participated in a century's worth of social justice movements.
By boldly illustrating young women disguising themselves as young men, this PSA calls attention to the grave issue of women's safety and equal opportunity in India.
On August 24, 2019, a group of volunteer lawyers from Lawyers For Good Government walked across the border at Matamoros, Mexico, to help asylum seekers.
Each of the following stories are about heroes standing up for the rights of women and children around the world.
Maria Bashir is an Afghani prosecutor and advocate for women. Story is available in text with audio.
Great for ESL/EFF Students: the Following Stories are Available in Text and Audio so Students Can Listen & Read Along
Bilaal Rajan is the founder of Making Change Now and Canada's child ambassador to UNICEF.
One of the most important heroes in the fight against segregation in America was a six-year-old girl, Ruby Nell Bridges.
Ana Dodson formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education.
Students Analyze the Hero Art Below
How do each of these artists portray the strength of their social justice hero?
Consider creating a portrait of your hero, or a poster honoring someone working toward a social justice solution to submit to MY HERO.
Global leader in advocating equality, compassion and justice for all
Incorruptible: In his fight for equality among races in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is a hero for generations.
Canonized as a Saint for her work with the victims of extreme poverty
Additional Social Justice Films featuring those working for the benefit of others.
Jessica is the founder of Video Volunteers (VV), a human rights media organization's impact on people from India's most marginalized communities.
Made in Madras is the story of an 18-year-old soccer player, Sangeetha, who lives on the streets of Madras (aka Chennai).
More than 2,600 kids were separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border under President Donald. What happened to those children?
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students
Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
How to Organize Your Students' Published Work
Multimedia Resources and Lesson Plan for Elementary, Middle and High School Students. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Share the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.
For Additional Resources and Lesson Plans, Go to the MY HERO Lesson Plan Center
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
Organizer created on 6/22/2021 3:15:33 PM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 6/22/2021 3:24:01 PM by Laura Nietzer
