April 04

Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802–1887) was an American nurse and social reformer. She championed the rights of the mentally ill, exposing the appalling conditions in jails and asylums. Her tireless advocacy led to the creation of over 30 state mental hospitals in the United States and several in Europe. During the American Civil War, she served as Superintendent of Army Nurses, organizing care for wounded soldiers. Dix's work laid the foundation for modern psychiatric care and social welfare. She died in 1887, leaving a legacy of compassion and institutional reform.

Erika Nõva was among the first female architects in Estonia, known for her regional and functionalist designs. She studied engineering and focused on creating buildings suited to Estonia’s climate and landscape. Nõva designed public structures, farmhouses, and residences that balanced modernism with local tradition. Her work emphasized simplicity, practicality, and integration with the natural environment. She championed improved living conditions in rural communities through thoughtful architectural planning. Nõva’s buildings remain landmarks of Estonian heritage and inspire contemporary architects. She died in 1987, honored as a trailblazer for women in architecture.

Gene Reynolds was born on April 4, 1923. He began his career as a child actor in radio and film before moving behind the camera. Reynolds co-created the acclaimed television series M*A*S*H and served as its executive producer and director. Under his leadership, M*A*S*H won multiple Emmy Awards and became one of TV’s most celebrated comedies. He also produced and directed series like Lou Grant, earning a total of four Emmys over his career. A pioneering figure in television, Reynolds influenced the industry until his death in 2020.

Kronid Lyubarsky was a Russian journalist and prominent dissident during the Soviet era. He founded the 'Chronicle of Current Events', an underground publication documenting human rights abuses in the USSR. Lyubarsky's reporting exposed political repression, earning him exile in 1978 and revocation of his citizenship. While in the United States, he continued advocacy for Soviet political prisoners and collaborated with international rights organizations. His relentless documentation provided critical evidence for Western media and human rights campaigns. After the fall of the Soviet Union, he returned to Russia and continued his journalistic work. Lyubarsky's legacy endures in the field of human rights reporting and dissident literature.

Simcha Jacobovici is a Canadian filmmaker, producer, journalist, and author who investigates historical and biblical mysteries. He earned widespread recognition for his series “The Naked Archaeologist,” blending field archaeology with engaging storytelling. Jacobovici began his career as a print journalist before moving into documentary filmmaking and television production. He won an Academy Award in 1998 for producing the short documentary The Long Way Home, highlighting the plight of Holocaust survivors. Through his books and films, Jacobovici challenges conventional narratives and brings ancient history to life for a global audience.

Born in 1961, Hildi Santo-Tomas has made a name for herself in the world of interior decoration with her blend of classic and contemporary influences. Her portfolio spans residential and commercial projects, where she creates spaces that balance functionality with artistic flair. Santo-Tomas’s work has been featured in leading design publications, highlighting her attention to detail and innovative use of color and texture. Over the years, she has lectured at design conferences and collaborated with luxury brands on bespoke interiors. Through her consultancy, she continues to inspire clients and fellow designers with her distinctive style and passion for beauty in everyday environments.