Moving Beyond Comfort

Abraham Lincoln is most celebrated for his role in keeping the nation together during the Civil War and signing the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped to end slavery in the United States.

His leadership exemplified determination and is a reminder that great leaders must remain persi...

Nelson Mandela was a visionary leader who believed that forgiveness was more important than revenge. As the first South African president elected in fully democratic elections, he saw his country move past an era of apartheid after serving almost 30 years in prison.

His commit...

As the first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt helped redefine the role by participating in radio broadcasts, authoring a daily syndicated column, holding press conferences to discuss women’s issues and supporting civil rights policies and social-welfare programs.

Her ability to ...

Oprah Winfrey overcame sexism and humble beginnings to build an empire from her TV show.

Her influence on culture by celebrating the success of others is a reminder that great leaders surround themselves with individuals who embody their values and are also striving for success.

Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie distinguished herself by becoming a humanitarian and using her influence to give to others. She has used her global influence to bring attention to women's rights issues in war-torn countries and other humanitarian challenges.

Her ability to focus...

Rosa Parks, an active member of the civil rights movement, is best known for her act of refusal to give up her bus seat and comply with racists segregation policies. Her defiance helped to inspire the Montgomery bus boycott and propelled the civil rights movement.

Her w...

“In order to cultivate a set of leaders with legitimacy in the eyes of the citizenry, it is necessary that the path to leadership be visibly open to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity.”

Sandra Day O’Connor

As the singer of U2, Bono used his influence as an entertainer to raise global awareness of critical issues like AIDS and poverty. He persuaded global leaders to increase their support to the world’s poorest countries and enlisted the support of major corporations and brands through his ON...

As the first woman justice on the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor served as the swing vote on a number of important cases for controversial issues like abortion, affirmative action, election law, sexual harassment, and the death penalty.

She serves as a powerful example for women ...

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon.com, has a vision defined by his goals of transforming the way people purchase products, not simply to be an online merchant of books. His vision brought innovation into many fields like publishing, online commerce, and the aerospace industry.

Bez...