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(Chicago, IL, September 22, 2009) — Once again, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has proved that "genius" takes many forms.
The MacArthur Foundation has formally announced the 2009 MacArthur Fellows, a group of 24 individuals whose talents run from medicine to journalism to papermaking.
This year's class of geniuses learned of their honor when they received a phone call "out of the blue" from the Foundation. The fellowship carries an "no-strings-attached" award of $500,000, paid over the next five years.
MacArthur Fellowships come without stipulations and reporting requirements and offer Fellows unprecedented freedom and opportunity to reflect, create, and explore. The unusual level of independence afforded to Fellows underscores the spirit of freedom intrinsic to creative endeavors. The work of MacArthur Fellows knows neither boundaries nor the constraints of age, place, and endeavor.
“For nearly three decades, the MacArthur Fellows Program has highlighted the importance of creativity and risk-taking in addressing pressing needs and challenges around the globe,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. “Through these Fellowships, we celebrate and support exceptional men and women of all ages and in all fields who dream, explore, take risks, invent, and build in new and unexpected ways in the interest of shaping a better future for us all.” |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
New York (August 19, 2009)-- Forbes has selected its 100 Most Powerful Women in the World and, for the fourth straight year, the most powerful woman on Earth is German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel, who is in charge of the fourth-largest economy in the world, beat out No.2 Sheila Bair, the Chairman of the FDIC and No. 3 Indira Nooyi, PepsiCo’s CEO.
Merkel, who is up for re-election this year, could find herself off the list entirely in 2010 if she were to lose.
New to the list this year are First Lady Michelle Obama, who ranked 40th and new Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor (54th). Other notables included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (35th), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (36th) and media-mogul Oprah Winfrey (41st). |
Boston, MA, May 18, 2009 – Sheila Bair, chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Brooksley Born, former chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), were presented the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™ today by Caroline Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in recognition of the political courage each demonstrated in sounding early warnings about conditions that contributed to the current global financial crisis.
Also honored as profiles in courage at today’s ceremony were Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and the many women who worked with her in pushing for peace and paving the way for democracy after years of violent conflict in their country. Gbowee was joined by Vaiba Flomo and Janet Johnson Bryant in accepting the award on behalf of their countrywomen.
“Sheila Bair, Brooksley Born and Leymah Gbowee and her countrywomen all share uncommon courage,” said Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. “From the corridors of wealth and power in the United States government, to the violent and impoverished streets of Liberia these women were not afraid to risk their careers, their relationships, their reputations, and even their lives, to speak truth to power and advocate for the powerless millions they represented. As appointed officials and citizen activists, they have inspired all those who wish to bring about meaningful change to their political systems.
“Sheila Bair and Brooksley Born recognized that the financial security of all Americans was being put at risk by the greed, negligence and opposition of powerful and well connected interests,” Kennedy said.” The catastrophic financial events of recent months have proved them right. Although their warnings were ignored at the time, the American people should be reassured that there are far-sighted public servants at all levels of government who act on principle to protect the people’s interests.
“Leymah Gbowee and the women of Liberia assumed personal responsibility for their national destiny, demonstrating the power of citizen activism to change history,” Kennedy continued. “By bringing together women of all religions, ethnic groups and walks of life, to stand up, sit in, and speak out against violence and in favor of peace, reconciliation and progress, they played a crucial role in restoring democracy to their war-torn country. The election of the first woman head of state in Africa – President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf – is due in no small part to these courageous women. They have shown the world the power of women’s voices united for peace, inspired citizens around the world, and empowered women to seek political change.” |
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