Carol Schwartz’s devotion to the District of Columbia began in 1966, when she came here to teach special education. Carol was first elected to the Board of Education in 1974, where she served until 1982. Subsequently, she was elected four times (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004) to an at-large seat on the D.C. Council, leaving in 2009. Carol, a former Republican and now Independent, ran for Mayor several times (1986, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2014), twice against Marion Barry.

LISA NICHOLS is one of the world’s most-requested motivational speakers, as well as media personality and corporate CEO whose global platform has reached and served nearly 30 million people. From a struggling single mom on public assistance to a millionaire entrepreneur, Lisa’s courage and determination has inspired fans worldwide and helped countless audiences break through, to discover their own untapped talents and infinite potential.

I am Mike Partain, a co-founder and public spokesman for an organization called "The Few, The Proud, the Forgotten."  From 1953 until 1987, the base water supply for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was highly contaminated with industrial chemicals. For the past decade I have served as a community representative to the estimated one million Sailors, Marines and their families potentially affected by the Camp Lejeune contamination.

Pax of Wildly Women by VC Bestor

Predators balance Mother Nature. So Farraga takes time off from menopause to run a charity - Fanged Wilds and Women Program - to inspire others around the world to protect the most dangerous animals in natural habitats.



Very few ladies end up being eaten.

GAIL MICHAEL

Gail Michael is a writer, poet, sculptor and a deep thinker. For the past 4 decades, she has been on an eternal search to understand the meaning of her life and to heal her deep childhood wounds. She finally realized that every being and situation that comes before us has a message and this is where the healing begins.

KATHERINE TERRIEN

Katherine Terrien is a Seattle, Washington, born and raised, singer/songwriter. From a young age she would be found singing at the top of her lungs to family members, but has since taken her boisterous personality to the stages and streets of L.A.. At age twenty-five, she plays around at local venues and hopes to bring her mellow, soulful music to the people of this world wherever that may lead. Keep up to date with her on her Instagram for upcoming shows and events and on Youtube for new videos!

Lidia Caton was born in Trinidad and Tobago and later moved to the United States where she joined the U.S. Navy.  She became a U.S. citizen when she was on active duty.  She joined the Navy in 1979 and initially left active duty in 1981.  She then served a few years in the Navy reserves, and in 1988 she returned to active duty.  Between 1988 and 2006, she served on a number of ships, including the USS McKee (AS-41), the USS Dixon (AS-37), the USS John F.

William D. McColl, Esq., the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy for AIDS United, has been an advocate on behalf of the HIV/AIDS community, alcohol and other drug treatment and reform issues and criminal justice reform for more than 20 years. He works on implementation of health care reform, strengthening Medicaid, Medicare and the Ryan White CARE Act, implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, syringe service program issues and ending HIV-specific prosecutions, increased punishment, and government-sponsored discrimination against people with HIV.

Mark McCormick, Executive Director The Kansas African American Museum

New York Times best-selling author with 20 years of journalism experience as a reporter, editor and columnist. He serves as a trustee at The University of Kansas School of journalism and has been a Professional in Residence at the University of Oklahoma.  His work is featured in the beat reporting chapter of the Journalism textbook, ''Writing and Reporting News, A Coaching Method."

A Free lance writer and photographer, David S. Perata spent much of his boyhood at rail yards an on passenger trains in San Francisco Bay area. During the 1980"s he worked as a porter on Amtrak's long-distance trains,where he met many bof the workers whose reminiscences inspired this oral history.