13 Comments

An emailed list:

Geraldine Ferraro

Hillary Clinton

Frederick Douglas

Jim Henson

Mr Rogers

Anne Lamott

Mary Oliver

Amanda Gorman

Rudy Francisco

Jemele Hill

Brittney Griner

Magic Johnson

Willie Mays

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100% agree about America the Beautiful. It's been in my mind this morning. "God mend thine every flaw..."

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Oof. Yeah…

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In no particular order—-Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Hamilton, and many others of the founding generation. They didn’t always agree (and some were vicious opponents of each other). Some owned slaves. Women and Native Americans were less than. In short, they were far from perfect But despite all of their flaws, they laid the foundation for a new nation.

Additional candidates: Margaret Sanger, the Suffs, enslaved people and Native Americans who were resilient and persisted despite being used as a pool of free labor and a nuisance to be conquered, respectively.

And finally, a nod to all who are striving to protect and maintain our democracy today.

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Well said

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You know I'd have to include President Obama on this list, but also Jimmy Carter, Bill McKibben, Mary Oliver, Willie Nelson, Jacob Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rev. William Barber, Shannon Watts, Billie Jean King, Margaret Sanger, Liz Cheney, Jose Andres and journalists who speak truth to power.

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Excellent list

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I would add Dorothy Day, Naomi Shihab Nye, Carrie Newcomer, Parker Palmer, Padraig O’ Tuama ( I count him as an honorary American), and Marie Howe.

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The poets! Yes!

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I LOVE your list .....so diverse in nature...

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Thank you! Always room for more…

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I would add Daisy Bates to the list ...

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Yay! Daisy Bates! 🫡

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