March 03

Born in 1862, Katherine Sleeper Walden dedicated her life to raising public awareness about environmental conservation. Through lectures and writings, she advocated for the protection of natural landscapes and wildlife habitats. She collaborated with emerging conservation organizations and local communities to promote sustainable resource management. Walden authored articles in national journals, highlighting the importance of preserving forests and waterways. Her efforts helped lay the groundwork for later environmental movements in the United States. She passed away in 1949, leaving behind a legacy of passion for protecting the natural world.

Carlos Marcello (born Calogero Minacore) was a Tunisian-born American mob boss who led the New Orleans crime family for over three decades. He expanded his influence across the Gulf Coast region, overseeing illegal activities such as gambling and racketeering. Known for his secretive leadership, he survived deportation attempts and numerous legal battles. In 1970, he was deported to Guatemala but returned to the United States illegally. His reign ended with convictions for racketeering and extortion in the late 1980s. Marcello died in prison in 1993, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of American organized crime.

Fred W. Friendly was an influential American journalist and television executive. Born Ferdinand Friendly Heymann in 1915, he rose to prominence at CBS News. He collaborated with Edward R. Murrow on the groundbreaking documentary series 'See It Now.' Friendly championed journalistic ethics and the use of television as a public service medium. He later became president of CBS News and founded the Journalism Center at Columbia University. His leadership set enduring standards for broadcast journalism and mentorship. Friendly died in 1998, leaving a lasting impact on media and reporting practices.

William Herskovic was born in 1914 in Hungary and survived imprisonment at Auschwitz. He risked his life to secretly photograph camp conditions, smuggling the images out to inform the world. After escaping, he joined Allied forces and documented the horrors of the Holocaust. Settling in the United States, he dedicated his life to educating future generations and advocating for human rights. Herskovic spoke at schools and institutions across the globe, sharing his testimony until his death in 2006.

Berta Cáceres (1973–2016) was a Honduran environmentalist and indigenous leader. She co-founded COPINH in 1993 to defend Lenca land and water resources from mining and hydroelectric projects. Under her leadership, COPINH organized protests, legal actions, and international campaigns that halted several dam constructions. She won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015 for her bold activism and advocacy. Cáceres survived assassination attempts before being tragically murdered at her home in 2016. Her death sparked global condemnation and strengthened movements for environmental justice and indigenous rights.