Jump to main content

This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Search form

Grid of select Champions of Change

Champions of Change

Blog

Read more about the White House Champions of Change.

Get Updates

We Started With A Dream

Brig Gen Wilma L. Vaught describes her passion to create a space to honor military women in the history books.
March 21, 2013 at 3:27 PM ET by Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, Brig Gen Wilma L. Vaught

“I'm Not Dead Yet.”

Marsha Four describes her journey to understanding her role as a veteran and how she can impact other veterans.
March 21, 2013 at 2:52 PM ET by Marsha Tansey Four, Marsha Four

Facing into the Truth

Becky Kanis explains her journey to fight against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
March 21, 2013 at 2:22 PM ET by Becky Kanis

Sustainability Essential for National Security and World Peace

Sharie Derrickson describes her mission to ensure a sustainable world and its importance for national security.
March 21, 2013 at 1:20 PM ET by Sharie Derrickson

"Never Leave A Place The Way You Found It.”

Priscilla Mondt shares her story as a Chaplain, helping wounded warriors find spiritual care.
March 21, 2013 at 12:59 PM ET by Priscilla Mondt

Overcoming Obstacles: Continuing to Serve

Dawn Halfaker shares how her journey as a wounded warrior lead her to start a government contracting company.
March 21, 2013 at 12:10 PM ET by Dawn Halfaker

Honor, Courage, and Commitment

Glenna Tinney shares her story of being an "army brat" to becoming an activist and victim advocate.
March 21, 2013 at 11:46 AM ET by Captain Glenna Tinney, Glenna Tinney

Why Judge My Book By My Cover?

Michelle Racicot explains how time in the military shapes her involvement with women veterans.
March 21, 2013 at 11:10 AM ET by Michelle Racicot MSN FNP-BC, Michelle Racicot

“Service” Does Not End When We Take Our Uniform Off: Finding A Purpose After Military Service.

Natasha Young is a Mission Continues Fellow and describes her story of transition from Marine to life after the military.
March 21, 2013 at 10:27 AM ET by Natasha Young

As the Phoenix Rises: Helping Veterans Find a New Normal

Kayla Williams is the author of Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the US Army. Her efforts seek to raise awareness for women troops, veterans, and wounded warriors.
March 21, 2013 at 9:48 AM ET by Kayla Williams

"Mobilize Veterans to Feed America"

Tia Christopher uses her past experiences as a sexual assult survivor and veteran to advocate for others. Currently, she is serving at the Chief of Staff for the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
March 21, 2013 at 9:03 AM ET by Tia Christopher

Champions of Change: African American Educational Excellence

Ten members of the community, who provide better opportunities for the African American students, are recognized as Champions of Change.
February 27, 2013 at 5:04 PM ET by Heather Foster

Closing Gaps

Erin Jones shares her personal story of feeling like an outsider as well as her dedication to ensure every African American boy recieved a good education.
February 27, 2013 at 2:15 PM ET by Erin Jones

After Helen Keller: Empowering Students with Disabilities

Haben Girma shares her own personal struggles and triumphs in an effort to pave an easier path for children with disabilities.
February 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM ET by Haben Girma

Education Is Our Ticket Out: Yes We Can

Joyce Parker shares her experience and path to helping better African American education.
February 27, 2013 at 1:45 PM ET by Joyce Parker

Black Star

Phillip Jackson discusses the founding of The Black Star Project
February 27, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET by Phillip Jackson

ABCing: Formula For Success

Becky James-Hatter discusses the importance of having positive mentors for children.
February 27, 2013 at 1:15 PM ET by Becky James Hatter, Becky James-Hatter

Education Is The Civil Rights Issue Of Our Time

Esther Bush discusses the importance of public education and her efforts to improve education for all children.
February 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM ET by Esther L. Bush, Esther Bush

Your Passion Will Position You For Your Purpose

Michael Graham shares his personal story about his passion to help children with special needs.
February 27, 2013 at 12:47 PM ET by Michael Graham, Michael B. Graham

A Child With A Dream Is A Child With A Future

Kyle Bacon discusses his path and passion to help educate the youth.
February 27, 2013 at 12:45 PM ET by Kyle Bacon

Diplomas Now

Robert Balfanz discusses his efforts to provide students with strong equipment to graduate from high school.
February 27, 2013 at 12:32 PM ET by Robert Balfanz

Common Sense: Attendance Matters

Hedy Chang shares about her experience in lauching Attendance Works, a program that address chronic absences.
February 27, 2013 at 12:02 PM ET by Hedy Chang

A Startup Called Government

Jay Nath is Chief Innovation Officer for the City of San Francisco. In 2009, Jay established an Open Data policy to make all non-confidential government data sets publicly available. This year, he helped launch ImproveSF.com, a crowd-sourcing platform that empowers San Franciscans to generate and implement their own solutions to citywide problems. Jay has learned that people are willing to work collaboratively with their government to address long-standing societal challenges.
October 15, 2012 at 9:58 AM ET by Jay Nath

Bridging FFA Chapters

Bill Jimmerson is a retired educator who served for 32 years as an Agricultural Education teacher and FFA Advisor in Montana. Following in his high school FFA advisor's footsteps, Bill began incorporating community service into every aspect of his life at a very young age. He created the FFA/American Indian program to bridge the gap between FFA chapters on Indian reservation and other FFA members through the state of Montana.
October 11, 2012 at 5:41 PM ET by Bill Jimmerson

Community Leaders for a Lifetime

Dr. Pete Dreisbach is the Director of the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center. Pete was born in Yadakunya, Nigeria to U.S. born citizens serving abroad for approximately sixty years. His unique upbringing shaped his world view, and created a strong interest in agriculture and youth development. Pete developed a passion for FFA because of its natural combination of agricultural education and youth development.
October 10, 2012 at 5:38 PM ET by Dr. Pete Dreisbach

Every Opportunity

Andrea Kneer-Rice is a 4-H educator at the University of Maryland Extension, with a focus in STEM education. Andrea believes that in 4-H, it is important for members to take advantage of every opportunity. She says that a new experience can lead into a never before seen talent for our youth, and inspire them to continue discovering themselves.
October 10, 2012 at 5:13 PM ET by Andrea Kneer-Rice

Youth Development through Self Learning

Dr. Samuel G. Roberson Sr. is currently a Program Specialist, 4-H & Youth Development Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program in Texas. With the support and encouragement as a child to do more, Samuel has committed his entire life to helping youth realize their full potential. While pursuing his PhD at Texas A&M University researching youth development, Samuel discovered 4-H. He believes the emphasis by 4-H programs on hands-on learning is directly correlated to the creative mischief that he experimented with in open fields as child.
October 10, 2012 at 4:45 PM ET by Dr. Samuel Roberson

Make the Best Better

Chamonix Mejia has been an active 4-H member for the past 11 years. Chamonix strives to encourage 4-H members to realize the many ways they can improve their lives. She lives by the 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better." Through her activity in 4-H, Chamonix works to help others help themselves.
October 10, 2012 at 4:27 PM ET by Chamonix Mejia

Reaching the Younger Generation

Jordan Paine is the President of the Southern Valley FFA Chapter and the Oxford Jr. Feeders 4-H Club in Oxford, Nebraska. Through her leadership positions, Jordan strives to increase youth involvement in her community. She started the youth bucket-calf program to teach younger members how to raise calves.
October 10, 2012 at 3:51 PM ET by Jordan Paine

Technology Education for the Next Generation

Kaydn Ence is a high school junior from Saint George, Utah. When a large hi-tech company decided not to expand its operations in his hometown, Kaydn was determined to find out why. He learned the decision was largely because people lacked the technological skills needed to fill over 300 jobs. Desiring a positive outcome for future opportunities, Kaydn decided to act by working to provide technology education for the next generation of the workforce.
October 10, 2012 at 3:25 PM ET by