May 02

Born in Scotland in 1822, Jane Miller Thengberg moved to Sweden as a governess and became a pioneer in women’s education. She was appointed principal of the Royal Normal School for Girls in Gothenburg, where she introduced innovative teaching methods and curricula emphasizing academic subjects for girls. Thengberg advocated for professional training of female teachers and the expansion of educational opportunities for women. Under her leadership, the school became a model institution influencing educational reforms across Sweden. She retired in 1880 and died in 1902, leaving a legacy as a trailblazing educator who advanced gender equality in schooling.

Giuseppe Morello was an Italian immigrant who became one of the earliest and most powerful Mafia leaders in New York City. Nicknamed 'the Clutch Hand' for a deformed right hand, he established a criminal network specializing in extortion, counterfeiting, and illegal gambling. Morello led the Morello crime family, laying the organizational framework that later evolved into the Five Families. He survived several assassination attempts, showcasing his ruthless determination to maintain control. Morello's rivalry with other crime factions sparked violent conflicts in the early 20th century. Arrests and convictions eventually weakened his empire, but he remained influential behind bars. His pioneering tactics and leadership style influenced mafia operations for decades. Morello's life exemplifies the tumultuous origins of organized crime in America.

Born in Italy in 1930, Marco Pannella co-founded the Radical Party in 1955, championing civil liberties, human rights, and nonviolent protest. He gained international attention for hunger strikes that pressured the Italian government to legalize divorce and abortion. His journalism provided sharp commentary on social justice issues and European integration. Pannella served multiple terms in the Italian Parliament and the European Parliament, advocating for transparency and democratic reform. His lifelong commitment to individual freedoms and anti-clericalism made him a polarizing yet influential figure until his death in 2016.

Harry Woolf, Baron Woolf, was born in 1933 and rose to become one of England's most respected jurists. Educated at the London School of Economics, he was called to the Bar in 1955 and specialized in Chancery law. In 1996, he was appointed Master of the Rolls, leading major reforms to modernize civil justice procedures. He served as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2000 to 2005, steering the judiciary through significant constitutional changes. Woolf's Civil Justice Review produced the 'Woolf reforms,' which streamlined court processes and improved access to justice. Made a life peer, he continues to influence legal scholarship and public policy.

Alfons Schuhbeck is a renowned German chef and restaurateur. Trained under Michelin-starred chef Eckart Witzigmann, he opened his first restaurant in Munich in the 1980s. Schuhbeck has been awarded multiple Michelin stars and Gault Millau chef’s hats for his inventive take on Bavarian dishes. He expanded his brand to include cooking schools, cookbooks, and television appearances. His bestselling books offer insights into spice blends and modern European cooking. Schuhbeck has also founded successful food product lines and gourmet delicatessens. Through his culinary empire, he has influenced a generation of chefs and popularized sophisticated German cuisine around the world.