Read a collection of hero stories written by one of our staff writers, Naomi Gledhill.
Stories about Heroic Women
Kathy Eldon Fosters Hope for the Future
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about the way long-time friend of MY HERO Kathy Eldon is fostering hope amidst the tragedy of the LA Fires.
Simone Biles: The Most Decorated Gymnast in History
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history
Geena Davis: Fighting for Equal Representation
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Geena Davis, the Academy Award winning actor and activist fighting for equal representation in media.
Melinda French Gates
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American philanthropist and champion for women and girls, Melinda French Gates.
Maria Toorpakai Wazir: Empowering Women Through Sport
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a professional squash player who had to overcome incredible challenges in order to achieve her dreams. She now paves the way for others to do the same.
Elizabeth Smart: Child Safety Activist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Elizabeth Smart is a child safety activist, author and public speaker; following her own kidnapping in 2002, she has used her story to spread awareness of issues around children's safety.
Jessica Long: Paralympian
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Paralympian athlete, Jessica Long.
Demita Vega de Lille: Olympic Windsurfer
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Demita Vega de Lille, an Olympic windsurfer and hero featured in one of the finalist films at the MY HERO Film Festival 2024.
Susan Faludi: Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about feminist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Susan Faludi.
Leontyne Price: One of the Greatest Sopranos of All Time
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Leontyne Price, one of the greatest operatic sopranos of all time.
Julia Mintz: Director of 'Four Winters'
By: Naomi Gledhill
Julia Mintz is a writer, producer and director of a feature documentary on the Jewish Resistance movement during WWII, "Four Winters."
Gwendolyn Midlo Hall: Pioneer in the Research of Enslaved Africans in Colonial Louisiana
By: Naomi Gledhill
Pioneer in the Research of Enslaved Africans in Colonial Louisiana
Ruth Rowland Nichols: U.S. Aviator
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American aviator and humanitarian, Ruth Rowland Nichols.
Lydia Ernestine Becker: Scientist and Suffragist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about one of the leaders of the British suffrage movement, Lydia Becker.
STEAM Heroes
Read about the people changing the world through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.
Eniola Shokunbi: Young Scientist and Innovator
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Eniola Shokunbi, a young innovator fighting for clean air in classrooms.
Gregory L. Robinson: NASA Engineer
By: Naomi Gledhill
Gregory L. Robinson is an American Engineer who is most known for his work on the James Webb Space Telescope Program at NASA.
Sheryl Sandberg: Tech Exec, Author, and Women's Rights Advocate
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about technology executive, author, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg.
Malone Mukwende: Creator of 'Mind the Gap'
By: Naomi Gledhill
Angela Duckworth
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American psychologist and author, Angela Duckworth.
Shree Bose: Scientist, Inventor and Member of Forbes 2023 30 Under 30
By: Naomi Gledhill
Shree Bose is an American scientist, currently working towards an MD from the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, and has been included in Forbes’ 2023 30 Under 30 list
Mariama Diamanka: Promoting Peace Through Art
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Mariama Diamanka, one of Dakar's leading urban artists promoting peace, hope, and social progress.
Esme Tran
By: Naomi Gledhill
Esme Tran wins MY HERO art contest.
Peter Max: Counter-Cultural Icon
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American artist, Peter Max.
Dr. Gladys West: The Pioneer in Mathematics That Gave Us GPS
By: Naomi Gledhill
Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie: Pioneer of VRT
By: Naomi Gledhill
Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie: Pioneer of Virtual Reality Technology
Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias
By: Naomi Gledhill
Environmental Heroes
The Goldman Environmental Prize Winners 2023
By: Naomi Gledhill
The winners of the 2023 Goldman Environmental Prize have been announced, celebrating six grassroots climate activists from across the globe.
The Goldman Environmental Prize Winners 2024
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about the 2024 winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize, for their grassroots efforts to protect our planet.
Murrawah Maroochy Johnson
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Murrawah Maroochy Johnson, one of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners.
Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu, winners of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize.
Colleen Cooley
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Colleen Cooley, a San Juan River guide featured in one of the winning films at the 20th Annual MY HERO International Film Festival.
Emergent Productions: Promoting Conservation Through Digital Storytelling
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Emergent Productions, a Florida-based non-profit organization using digital storytelling to promote conservation.
Organizations Working to Better Our World
Illumination Foundation: Disrupting the Cycle of Homelessness
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about the Illumination Foundation, an innovative non-profit organisation seeking to disrupt the cycle of homelessness.
Charity: Water
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Charity: Water, the non-profit providing access to clean water to people across the globe.
The Sloth Conservation Foundation
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about The Sloth Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of sloths.
Read this story about The Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a group of Israeli and Palestinian youth using music to promote peace, justice, inclusion, and equality.
Early Reader Stories
Celebrate the best of humanity whilst students develop their reading skills. These stories are appropriate for early readers including Grade 3 to 5 students, students aged 8 to 11 years old, or people of any age who are English Language Learners.
John Lewis: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about leader of the Civil Rights Movement, John Lewis. The version is suitable for early readers.
Wangari Maathai: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai. This version is suitable for early readers.
Dr. Jessica Wade: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about scientist and activist Dr. Jessica Wade. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Dame Jane Goodall: World Expert in Chimpanzees (Early-Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Dame Jane Goodall is the world's leading expert in chimpanzees. Read this early-reader edition to learn more about this incredible hero.
Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist, author, and explorer of the sea. Read this early-reader edition to learn more about her life and achievements.
Katherine Johnson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this early-reader-friendly story about American mathematician, Katherine Johnson.
Gregory L. Robinson: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Gregory L. Robinson, a NASA engineer famous for his work on the James Webb Space Telescope. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Mae C. Jemison: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Mae C. Jemison was accepted to Stanford University with a scholarship aged 16. In 1987, Mae decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
Tim Peake: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Tim Peake, a British astronaut and STEM advocate. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Ellen Ochoa: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Ellen Ochoa enjoyed learning about math, science, physics and engineering. In 1985, Ellen decided that she wanted to become an astronaut and fly to space.
William Kamkwamba: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this short, early reader friendly story about William Kamkwamba.
Nelly Cheboi: CNN’s Hero of the Year 2022 (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Nelly Cheboi's work to help give children a better education meant she was voted Hero of the Year 2022 at CNN.
Helen Greiner: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about roboticist and co-founder of iRobot, Helen Greiner. This edition is suitable for early readers.
Esme Tran (Early Reader Edition)
By: Naomi Gledhill
Esme Tran won the MY HERO Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest in 2022 with a painting she did of her and her brother, Hugo.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Early Reader Edition
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Dr. Joy Buolamwini, the computer scientist fighting against algorithmic bias. This edition is suitable for early readers.
