August 17

Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was born in 1786 and became Duchess of Kent through marriage. She was the mother of Queen Victoria and played a pivotal role in her daughter’s early life and education. Although she never reigned in her own right, her position at court influenced the British royal family. Princess Victoria navigated the complexities of European dynastic politics during the Napoleonic era. She maintained ties with German principalities and patronized charitable works. Her legacy lives on through Queen Victoria and the extensive network of royal connections across Europe.

Born in 1900, Pauline A. Young pursued a career in teaching and became a prominent historian documenting Black American experiences. She earned her pilot’s license as one of the early African American women aviators, breaking racial and gender barriers. Young was an active member of civil rights organizations, advocating for desegregation and voting rights during the 20th century. Her historical writings and public speeches highlighted both the struggles and triumphs of Black communities in the American South. Young’s multi-faceted career as an educator, writer, and activist left a lasting impact on scholarship and social reform. She continued her advocacy and educational work until her passing in 1991, leaving a legacy of courage and scholarship.

Mary Cain, born in 1904, began her career as a newspaper reporter covering local politics and community affairs. Her investigative journalism exposed corruption and championed workers’ rights during the Great Depression era. Cain later transitioned to public office, serving in state government and working to implement social welfare programs. She was respected for her integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to giving a voice to underrepresented communities. Cain’s dual roles in journalism and politics allowed her to bridge media and policy-making effectively. She retired from public service in the 1970s and remained a mentor to aspiring journalists until her death in 1984.

Born in 1913, Mark Felt began his career in law enforcement as an FBI special agent. He rose through the ranks to become the bureau’s associate director, acting as the second deputy director. During the Watergate scandal, Felt covertly provided information to journalists, earning the alias 'Deep Throat.' His disclosures were pivotal in unraveling political corruption at the highest levels of government. Felt’s actions sparked debates on ethics, loyalty, and the role of the press in democratic societies. After retiring, he returned to private legal practice and published memoirs recounting his role in American history until his death in 2008.

Bill Downs was an American broadcast journalist celebrated as one of Edward R. Murrow's core team at CBS. He reported from London during the Blitz and covered major events throughout World War II, including the D-Day landings. Postwar, Downs served as a White House correspondent for ABC News and reported on the early Cold War era. His clear, authoritative voice and firsthand accounts brought global affairs into American living rooms. He later held executive roles at Voice of America and mentored a new generation of journalists.

Born in 1946 in Manhattan Beach, California, Martha Coolidge studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles. She began her career as a film editor and transitioned into directing television and commercials in the 1970s. Her breakthrough feature, "Valley Girl" (1983), showcased her skill for character-driven storytelling. She earned critical acclaim with the drama "Rambling Rose" (1991) and continued to explore diverse genres throughout her career. Coolidge has been a trailblazer for women in the industry, serving in leadership roles within key filmmaking organizations. She also mentors emerging filmmakers and writes screenplays that often focus on strong female protagonists.

Giuliana Rancic began her career as a correspondent for E! News in the early 2000s and quickly rose to prominence for her red carpet interviews. She co-hosted Fashion Police and Reality Remix, offering candid commentary on celebrity style and pop culture. Rancic launched multiple businesses, including a clothing line and a skincare line, alongside her husband, businessman Bill Rancic. She openly documented her battle with breast cancer on reality television, raising awareness and advocating for early detection. Giuliana has received nominations for Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on E! News. She continues to be a leading voice in entertainment journalism and a role model for balancing career and personal challenges.

Geertjan Lassche is a Dutch journalist who transitioned into documentary filmmaking, specializing in in-depth investigations of social and political topics in the Netherlands. He has directed and produced award-winning films that explore issues such as migration, human rights, and cultural identity. Lassche's work has been featured on major Dutch television networks and at international documentary festivals. His narrative approach combines rigorous reporting with personal storytelling to shed light on underreported subjects. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Amsterdam and has contributed articles to leading Dutch newspapers and magazines. Lassche continues to mentor emerging journalists and filmmakers through workshops and lectures.

Born Mohammed Emwazi in London, he traveled to Syria in 2013 and became one of the masked militants known as 'Jihadi John'. He appeared in a series of gruesome hostage videos in 2014, executing Western captives and drawing global attention to ISIS's brutality. Journalists and investigators confirmed his identity in early 2015, leading to widespread calls for justice. Emwazi was reportedly killed in a US drone strike in Raqqa, Syria in November 2015. His actions and the stark imagery of his videos had a lasting impact on public awareness of the group's terror tactics. He remains a chilling example of how extremist groups leverage media for propaganda.