Last year Ode launched its first annual Intelligent Optimists Issue where we featured people who are not famous yet but should be because of the work they are doing to bring positive change to their communities, their countries, and the world. As part of this special issue, we would like to hear your nominations, too: tales of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Just tell us who your nominee is and write a few lines explaining why this person is special and why their work is important. Nominate your favorite Intelligent Optimist!
Mr. Chugh is Biology/Biotechnology teacher at Acalanes high school. His biotech course is one of the few scholastic places I have encountered where discussion of issues (both moral and scientific) are so eagerly encouraged. Mr Chugh honestly believes that all of his students can succeed in his class, and he goes to great lengths to encourage us. He tells us every week how our generation still has the potential to change the world for the better. He also happens to be really intelligent (he was a college-level professor, but he preferred to be able to form actual relationships with his students.) He believes that educating people and keeping a positive outlook are the best ways to change the world. Read more...
My nominee has written a beautiful book that would benefit leaders and everyone else in society who has an opportunity to influence and motivate people. There is an insightful chapter in the book on the importance of Optimism. The book is entitled: The Leader as a Mensch: Become the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow. The author has pledged that all the royalties received from the sale of the book will go to One Laptop Per Child Association, a non-profit organization that does good in the world by giving children in underdeveloped countries access to laptops. Read more...
Joshua Freedman is developing emotional intelligence around the world. Emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware of and use emotions effectively. As someone who helps people reach their potential, relate better to others and include human factors in decision making, Freedman is an exemple of intelligent optimism. Read more...
Rachel Trovi started working in Manila, Philippines 20 years ago, alone without any supporting organization. On her first visit, Rachel walked alone among the poor of Smokey Mountain, known also as "trash mountain." With the widow pension and a bag filled with plaster and gauze, she visited slum areas; purchased and distributed food, medicines and clothes; and plastered and bandaged rat bites on children.
Home in Norway, she traveled and gave lectures about poverty in Manila. The activities became so great that an organization was necessary and Ma'Ma Children Center of Norway (MMCCN) was founded, led now by 80 year old Rachel Trovi. Read more...
Luis Cruz Azaceta is an artist who now lives in New Orleans and has embraced the city in his work. Being Cuban born, he has lived in the diaspora between cultures, which ironically at this time, parallels the state of living in New Orleans post Katrina.
His work speaks volumes and he has shared his time with numerous students and residents. His work certainly puts the pieces of a broken city back together. Read more...
Megan Keane is the founding advisor to Yoga Bear (www.yogabear.org), a non-profit dedicated to providing more opportunities of health and wellness to cancer survivors.
In addition to working a full-time job at the technology non-profit Tech Soup, Megan has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of Yoga Bear. As a certified yoga instructor, she has offered monthly classes to local survivors for free. In addition, she has aided in the recruitment of local studios, convincing the to offer free passes to community members who have had cancer. Her volunteer work with Yoga Bear has undoubtedly contributed to its success in the past two years, growing from a local endeavor to a national community of over 100 partner studios. Read more...
Mickey Mcleod and his wife Robbyn may have been a little bit naïve about agriculture when they first moved to Mansell Farm on Salt Spring in the early ‘80s, but they knew from the outset that they didn’t want to use pesticides or artificial fertilizers. It just seemed like the proper thing to do. So with the help of the greenhouse that they had built, Mickey and Robbyn started a large market garden. They had a farm stand along the side of the road, and they also sold at the Saturday farmer’s market.
As far as bringing coffee into the equation, it’s definitely Robbyn that gets to take the credit. She grew up in California, and brought with her a bit of urban savvy combined with a thirst for the freshly roasted stuff. They spent a lot of time together at Caffe Trieste in San Francisco during the mid ‘70s, drinking their classic Italian coffee. Before they knew it, they were roasting and grinding organic beans themselves, brewing them on their woodstove back on the homestead. Read more...
Three years ago Kurt started a "kayak for free" waterway clean up program called Bring Back The Bayou in Gulfport Florida. Over 2000 people of all ages and skill levels have lined up to take advantage of this program that allowed them a free kayak eco-tour in exchange for a bag of trash picked up during the tour! Over 100,000 lbs of trash have been removed from Tampa Bay waters and this year will continue Kurt's passion for the environment!
Jamie always dreamed of starting her own company so when the opportunity presented itself, she knew this was her big shot to not only start a company, but to start one that would make a difference. With that mindset Jamie went to the drawing board to come up with, That’s Caring, an eco-friendly gift basket website that provides consumers with “a greener way to give.”
Jamie scoured local Chicago sources to find the perfect items, eco-friendly packaging as well as carbon offset company to ensure that when That’s Caring gifts were shipped that they tiptoed and not stampeded across the earth. Keeping with Jamie’s giving spirit she took the company even further beyond being green by also incorporating products from local non-profits that double consumers ability to give back to their surroundings. What is even more amazing that even after all this Jamie is not content she continues to upgrade her green packaging and eco-friendly each products. Even further she is constantly looking for opportunities to further her commitment to the green movement and community, by volunteering. Read more...
Jed is an Internet marketing consultant who specializes in Hispanic social media marketing and the usage of social media by governmental organizations. But that doesn't begin to describe how bright, talented, and actively optimistic he is.
He created the Positive Energy Vibe Zone (pevz.org), a place to share sheer happiness found on the Internet. He works with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to give government (including www.usa.gov/gobiernousa) a friendlier face, especially for Spanish speakers who are ordinarily given second-best. His blog (jedsundwall.com) has amazing conversations with local activists, small business owners, and other people making a real difference in the world. Read more...
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