Diana, Princess of Wales

(Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor; née Spencer; 1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997)

“Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back if only they had the chance.” - Princess Diana

Princess Diana was a famous figure of the late 20th Century. During her life, she was often said to be the most photographed person, appearing on the cover of People magazine more than anyone else. She was the known for her feminine beauty and glamour. At the same time, she was admired for her groundbreaking charity work; in particular her work with AIDS patients, and supporting the campaign for banning landmines. Married to Prince Charles in 1981, she received the title of “Her Royal Highness Princess Diana of Wales” She is the Mother of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Diana was born to an aristocratic family with links to the Royal Family. Her father was Edward Spencer, known as Viscount Althorp, was a direct descendent of Charles II. Her mother, Frances Viscountess Althorp, was distantly related with the Queen Mother. When Diana was young, her parents divorced with her father winning a bitter battle for custody of the children. Diana did not shine as a student, but did well in music and ballet. When she met her future husband, Diana was working as a part time assistant in a nursery school in London.

In 1981, Diana married Prince Charles. Diana was 13 years the junior, at an age of just 20. Charles by contrast was 33 at the time of the wedding. The general public soon warmed to the innocence and beauty of Princess Diana. Their wedding was watched by over 1 billion people world-wide. However, in the mid 1980s, strains started to appear in the marriage, and under much publicity the marriage broke up leading to a divorce in 1992.

As Princess of Wales, Diana was expected to take part in various official engagements, such as opening of hospitals. This gave her opportunities to become involved in various types of charitable work. She was also involved in the campaign to ban landmines. In January 1997, she visited mine fields in Angola to inspect the clearing of landmines. After her death, the Ottawa treaty was signed banning the use of anti-personnel landmines. Many agree that her support and role in the campaign played an important role in influencing this decision.

Diana remained very popular because people could identify with her. Her hands-on approach to charity work gave the impression of a new type of Royal, who was no longer so stuffy.

Diana died on 31st August, 1997 in a car crash. It was said they were being chased by paparazzi at the time the fatal accident. The death of Diana had a profound impact on the British public and those in other countries. It led to an unprecedented outpouring of grief and sympathy, for a person people had taken into their hearts. Over 1 million bouquets of flowers were laid at Buckingham Palace. Her funeral was watched by countless millions around the world. Her final resting place was her family home of Althorp.

By: R.Pettinger 01/07/2006

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was the wife of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. She is remembered for her contributions to the art and refurbishment of the White House.

"We should all do something to right the wrongs that we see and not just complain about them. " - Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline was born in New York to a wealthy family. She earned a degree in French Literature from the George Washington University, in Washington D.C. During the college, she spent a year in France. After graduating, she was hired as a photojournalist for the Washington Times-Herald. She was also a socialite who attended many high profile social events. It was at such dinner parties that she met then Senator John F Kennedy. Shortly after, they became engaged and married in 1953. She had three children, the last of whom died aged just two years old. Her two children who survived into childhood were Caroline Bouvier Kennedy and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy ran for presidency. John F Kennedy won the narrowest of elections, becoming the youngest Presidents of the modern era. Jacqueline was also the youngest first lady and she helped bring a glamour to the Whitehouse. She took great interest in refurbishing the White House. She wanted to bring a greater sense of history to the famous building. In a highly popular TV program, Jacqueline invited TV cameras for a guided tour of the White House. This proved a great public relations exercise. Her social charm and grace caused the public to fall in love with her.

It was on November 22nd that Jacqueline's life was forever changed by the assassination of her husband, John F Kennedy in an open car tour of Dallas, Texas. Following the assassination she retreated from public view by trying to maintain a private life with her children. In 1968, John's brother Robert was assassinated. This was another traumatic event because she had been close to Robert helping his campaign. She feared for the safety of her children in America. With this in mind, she decided to marry the wealthy Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis - despite being 20 years her senior.

In 1975, Aristotle died, leaving Jacqueline a widow for the second time. She spent some time working for a publisher. She also campaigned for the arts and preservation of American heritage. She died in May 1994 from a form of cancer.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net, 15th Aug. 2009

Anne Frank Biography

Anne Frank could easily have just become another statistic in the holocaust of the Second World War. But after the war, her father Otto Frank discovered his daughter’s diary. He published her diary - originally under the title 'Diary of a Young Girl'. It became one of the most famous first-hand accounts of the Holocaust, and helped to give it human story.

“It’s difficult in times like these; ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. - Anne Frank 21 July 1944

Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. In, 1933, (the same year as the Nazi's rose to power) her family moved to Holland, where her father ran a successful business. However, the Nazis invaded Holland in 1940. To escape arrest, Otto Frank placed his family in hiding behind one of his businesses in the heart of Amsterdam. The family was later joined by the Van Pels family who were also trying to avoid arrest.

Anne's diary tells of the difficulties of living in a confined space with so many people. The atmosphere was at times suffocating, but despite the hardships and difficulties of her situation, she also expressed her optimism and positive view of life. I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I'm free, and yet I can't let it show. Just imagine what would happen if all eight of us were to feel sorry for ourselves or walk around with the discontent clearly visible on our faces. Where would that get us? (December 24, 1943) - Anne Frank

Unfortunately, on August 4th, 1944 an anonymous source gave a tip off to the German secret police. The families were arrested. Anne contracted typhoid fever and died on March 1945. After the war, Otto returned to the place where they had hidden for two years. It was here that he found Anne's diary and decided to get it published.

Her diary was published in 1947 and became a best seller with people fascinated by her writing and what she managed to convey in the most difficult of situations. Her book has become an important symbol of how innocent people can suffer from intolerance and persecution.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Anne Frank", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net, 25th June 2009

Biography of Oprah Winfrey

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her parents were unmarried and broke up soon after. Oprah had a difficult childhood. She lived in great poverty and often had to dress in potato sacks for which she was mocked at school.

From the age of 14 she went to live with her father. Oprah says he was strict. After working her way through college she became interested in journalism and got her first job as a news anchor for a local TV station.

Her emotional style did not go down well for a news programming so she was transferred to a daytime chat program. After Oprah took over, the daily chat show took off and this later led to her own program called, The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The Oprah Winfrey show has proved to be one of the most successful and highly watched TV programs of all time. Oprah has also remained a powerful role model for women and black American women in particular. In recent years, the Oprah Winfrey show has focused on issues of self- improvement, spirituality and self-help. Diet has also been a big issue with. Her diet book sold millions of copies. However, like many dieters Oprah has suffered from a yo-yo weight loss and gain.

The Oprah Winfrey book club has become the most influential book clubs in the world. A recommendation from Oprah Winfrey frequently sends books to the top of the best- seller lists. Many agree that Oprah Winfrey has enormous influence with the public. Some estimated her support for Barack Obama helped him gain 1 million votes in the 2008 election.

As Vanity Fair said of Oprah Winfrey

Billie Jean King Biography

Billie Jean King was a champion American tennis player winning a total of 39 grand slam titles. She also played a key role in fighting for greater equality between men and women's tennis.

"I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience … When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience." - Billie Jean King

Of her 39 grand slam titles, 20 were achieved at Wimbledon. She had an aggressive style. She hit the ball very hard and was quick to come to the net. It was this style of tennis that perfectly suited the Wimbledon grass courts.

The first appeared at Wimbledon in 1961 as a young tennis player by the name of Billie Jean Moffat. She was a favorite of the crowd. In 1974, she took part in one of tennis' most famous encounters. Bobby Riggs was a former number one tennis player. Now 55, he boasted that the men's game was so superior to the women's game that he could easily beat any of the best women players of the time. Initially, Billie Jean King was fearful of playing because she felt if she lost it would put women's tennis back 50 years. The game was watched by a crowd of over 30,000 and up to 50 million on TV. It was a media sensation and Billie Jean King proved to be the winner beating Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3

Throughout her career Billie Jean King campaigned for better pay and recognition for female tennis players. For her efforts, she was ranked No. 5 on Sports Illustrated’s "Top 40 Athletes" list for significantly altering or elevating sports the last four decades (1994). She was also named as one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th Century by Time Magazine.

In 2007, she launched Green Slam an organization trying to make tennis more environmentally aware.

Biography Hilary Clinton

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26, 1947) is a United States Senator from New York, and a member of the Democratic Party. She is married to Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, and was the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. She is also a lawyer and a former First Lady of Arkansas. Under Barack Obama, she has served as Secretary of State.

She went to Yale College, and practiced as a lawyer, becoming one of the country’s most influential lawyers. In 1975, she moved to Arkansas and married Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992, and she served as first lady from 1993-2001. She played a highly political role in supporting her husband.

In 2000, Clinton was elected to the United States becoming the first wife of a President to be elected to public office. As senator, she sat on the Committee of Armed Services, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Special Committee on Aging. In 2007, Clinton announced she would seek the US presidential nomination for the Democratic Party. She began actively campaigning and was considered to be a strong favorite. However, she lost the nomination to Barack Obama.

Obama won the 2008 election, and on becoming President, offered Clinton the post of Secretary of State. This gave Clinton a high profile on foreign affairs. She visited 112 countries during her four year term, making her one of the most travelled Secretary of States. She left the state department in Jan 2013.

Clinton has hinted at the possibility of running for President in 2016.

Eleanor Roosevelt Biography

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She was also an advocate for human and civil rights. She was made a delegate to the UN General Assembly and played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She also was an important person in John F. Kennedy's Presidential Commission on the Status of women.

She was born October 11, 1884. At an early age her mother and father passed away, leaving her to be brought up by her maternal grandmother. In her late teens, she became active in social work, volunteering in the slums of east New York. In 1902, she also met Franklin D.Roosevelt who was currently studying at Harvard. After some opposition from Franklin's mother, they married in 1905. They had six children. By 1921, Franklin was stricken with a paralysis of the legs which left him in a wheel chair. Eleanor helped Franklin deal with his disability and successfully encouraged him to return to public life.

In 1932, Franklin D.Roosevelt was elected President, against a backdrop of the Great Depression and mass unemployment. As First Lady, Eleanor became a highly visible figure speaking at rallies and visiting unemployed workers. Eleanor also provided a role model for women, at a time when women rarely left “home life”.

During the Second World War, Eleanor took on even more duties and spent her time offering support to the war effort. In 1943, her visit to troops in the Pacific proved a great success. During the war, Eleanor also supported civil rights for the US black population, which at the time still experienced much discrimination.

After the war, Harry Truman, who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt, appointed Eleanor as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. There she drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was her greatest achievement.

After developing bone marrow tuberculosis, she passed away on November 7, 1962. Her funeral was attended by presidents Truman, Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt ", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net, 21st Aug. 2008

Coco Chanel Biography

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971)

" Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel was a leading French modernist designer, whose patterns of simplicity and style changed women's clothing. She was the only designer to be listed in Time 100 most influential people of the Twentieth Century.

Most sources suggest she was born in 1883, though this was a closely guarded fact because Coco did not like revealing her birth date. Orphaned from an early age, she worked with her sister in for a hat maker in France. Later, she opened a shop in 1912 and founded her couture house in Paris.

It was in the post war period that she felt the need for a revolution in women's clothes. She began by encouraging a casual but elegant range of clothes. She also introduced trousers and suits for women - something which had not been done before. The 1920s were a significant period for women. It was a decade where women received the vote in several western countries. It was also a time, when women were performing men’s jobs. She also created her famous Chanel No.5 perfume. This is considered to be the best and most famous perfume on the market.

In 1938 she retired from the fashion business. She prided herself on her great taste, fashion and practicality combined with an awareness of what people wanted. It was this that made her the most recognizable name in world fashion.

J.K.Rowling Biography

"There's always room for a story that can transport people to another place." - J.K.Rowling

J.K Rowling was born in Chipping Sodury, July 31st 1965. Her childhood was generally happy. , From an early age, J.K. Rowling had an ambition to be a writer. She often tried her hand at writing, although little came from her early efforts. At age six, she wrote a book about a rabbit with measles.

In 1990, J.K.Rowling first thought about Harry Potter. As she recalls, it was on a long train journey from Manchester to London when she began forming in her mind, the characters of the series. The main character was a young boy, at that time not aware that he was a wizard. Upon arriving home, she began work on writing the book immediately, although, it would take several years.

Eventually, she finished her first copy of the Philosopher's Stone and sent it off to various agents. It was rejected by 12 major publishing houses. However, a quite small publisher, agreed to take the book on. The decision to take on the book was, in large part, due to the publisher’s eight year old daughter’s love of the first chapter.

Within a few weeks of publication, (1996) book sales really started to take off. After the books initial success in the UK, an American company Scholastic agreed to pay a remarkable £100,000 for the rights to publish in America. In 1998, Warner Bros secured the film rights for the books, giving a seven figure sum. On the 21st December 2006, J.K.Rowling finished her final book of the Harry Potter Series – "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". The book was released in July 2007, becoming one of the fastest selling books of all time. J.K.Rowling has said the book is her favorite, and it makes her both happy and sad.

On 27 September 2012, Rowling released the 'Casual Vacancy' an adult novel. In 2013, The Cuckoo's Calling was published. J.K.Rowling currently lives in Scotland, on the banks of the river Tay, with her 2nd husband Neil Murray; J.K.Rowling has 3 children, two with husband Neil.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Biography

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a writer and anti-slavery campaigner. She is best known for her book Uncle Tom's Cabin. It was a vivid depiction of slavery and its human cost. It was influential in shaping public opinion about slavery in the period leading up to the American Civil War.

Harriet was born June 14, 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut to a strongly religious family. She was educated at a girls’ school and received a wide ranging education. When she was 21 she moved to Ohio where she became involved in various literary circles and became concerned with social issues of the day..

Harriet married Calvin Ellis Stowe on January 6 1836. Calvin was committed to abolishing slavery, and with Harriet they took part in the Underground Railroad which temporarily housed runaway slaves. This gave Harriet a knowledge of the of slavery. In 1833, she visited a slavery auction in Kentucky, an experience that profoundly moved her. She felt it her Christian duty to write about the injustice of slavery. In 1851, she published her first installment of Uncle Tom's Cabin in the newspaper the National Era. By 1952, its popularity had led to its publication in book form. The book became a best-seller, selling over 300,000 copies in the first year alone.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was a realistic account of the pain and injustice of slavery. It helped turn public opinion in the country. It popularized the anti- slavery movement in the North. In the South, it enraged the public and led to opposition to the book.

After the Civil War began, Harriet was invited for a meeting with Abraham Lincoln in November 25, 1862 in the White House. It was later remarked that Harriet was 'the little woman who started the big war'. Thought the causes of the American Civil War were wide ranging, her book definitely made many Americans more receptive to the idea of seeking to end slavery.

She died on July 1, 1896 in Hartford, Connecticut aged 85. Her house the Harriet Beecher Stowe House was next door to fellow author Mark Twain.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Harriet Beecher Stowe", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net, 25th Feb 2011

Florence Nightingale Biography

Born in 1820 to a wealthy family, Florence was educated at home by her father. She wanted to serve others and become a nurse. Her parents were opposed - at that time, nursing was not seen as an attractive or 'respectable' profession. Despite her parents’ disapproval, Florence went ahead and trained to be a nurse.

In 1853, the Crimea war broke out. It was noted that the wounded lacked even the most basic of first aid treatment. Many soldiers were dying unnecessarily. Later in 1855, Florence Nightingale was asked to organize a group of nurses. Florence was strict in selecting and training the other nurses.

In the beginning, the nurses were not even allowed to treat dying men, they were only instructed to clean the hospital. However, eventually the number of casualties became so overwhelming the doctors asked Florence and her team of nurses to help. The efforts of Florence and her team of nurses were greatly appreciated by the wounded soldiers and positive news reports were reported back home. By the time she returned home she had become a national hero After the war, she continued to work for the improvement of hospital conditions. She also founded a training school for nurses. Florence Nightingale died at the age of 90 in 1910.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Florence Nightingale", Oxford,

Marie Curie Biography

Marie Curie was a Polish scientist who won a Nobel Prize in both Chemistry and

Physics. She was the first female professor of the University of Paris, and made

ground-breaking work in the field of Radioactivity.

Marya Sklodovska was the youngest of 5 children, born in 1867, Warsaw

Poland. She was brought up in a poor, but well educated family. Unusually, for women at that time, Marya took an interest in Chemistry and Biology. Marya went to school where she went on to get a degree in Physics finishing top in her school. She later got a degree in Math.

Marie pursued studies in radioactivity. In 1898, this led to the discovery of two new elements. One of which she named Polonium after her home country.

She then studied the properties of radium. Marie actually suffered burns from the rays. It was from this discovery of radium and its properties that the science of radiation was able to develop. For that discovery she was awarded the Davy

Medal and the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903. In 1911, she was awarded a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of actinium and further studies on radium and polonium.

In 1914, Marie Curie dedicated her time to the installation of X-ray machines in hospitals. At the end of the First World War, she also published a book.

Marie Curie died in 1934 from Cancer. It was an unfortunate side effect of her groundbreaking studies into radiation which were to help so many people.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Marie Curie", Oxford

Helen Keller Biography

Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an American author, political activist and campaigner for deaf and blind charities. Helen because deaf and blind as a young child and had to struggle to overcome her dual disability. However, she became the first deaf-blind person to attain a bachelors degree and became an influential campaigner for social, political and disability issues.

“Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay on the face of all things. Then love came and set my soul free. Once I knew only darkness and stillness. Now I know hope and joy.”- Helen Keller Helen Keller was born 27 June 1880 in Tusculum, Alabama. When she was only 19 months old, she experienced a severe childhood illness, which left her deaf and blind (only a very partial sight).

In 1886, Helen was put in touch with Alexander Graham Bell, who developed the first telephone. Bell introduced her to Anne Sullivan. She set about teaching Helen how to communicate. Keller made rapid progress and quickly overcame her bad habits. Keller was able to study at Radcliffe College. In

1904, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1903, she published an autobiography 'The Story of My Life'. It recounted her struggles to overcome her disabilities.

Towards the end of her life, she suffered a stroke and she died in her sleep on June 1, 1968. She was given numerous awards during her life, including the

Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Helen Keller", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net - 5th Feb. 2013.

Amelia Earhart Biography

Amelia Earhart (July 24, 1897– 1937)

Amelia Mary Earhart was an aviation pioneer who became the first women to fly

solo across the Atlantic. She set many solo flying records and was a supporter of

equal rights for women. In 1937, aged just 40 years old, Amelia Earhart disappeared in the Pacific Ocean on a solo flight attempting to circumnavigate the

globe.

"…. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life;… " - Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas. From an early age, Amelia displayed a great sense of adventure and was often referred to as a 'tomboy'. In her young years, Amelia was educated at home. She was a keen reader and kept a scrapbook of women who had made great achievements.

Around 1919, she developed a desire to fly. On December 28, 1920, she had her first flight with pilot Frank Hawks. By 1923, Amelia was the 16th women to be issued a pilot's license. In 1928, she flew with pilot Wilmer Stultz on a 20 hour flight across the Atlantic to England. This flight received a great deal of media attention, and made Amelia a public figure. She also used her image to support women's groups focused on human rights and female equality.

With support from the Purdue University, Earhart began plans to make a tough 29,000 mile global flight around the equator. By late June, 1937, Earhart and Noonan, her navigator, had travelled from Miami to South East. On July 2nd, during their approach to Howland Island there were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost and the plane never made it to their destination.

Madonna Biography

Madonna is an American singer, actress, dancer and movie star. She has sold over

300 million records worldwide, making her the best selling female artist of all

time. She has had a profound influence on pop culture.

Madonna, born Louis Cicconi, in 1958, was brought up in Rochester Hills

Michigan. Her mother died when she was only five; she was brought up by her grandparents. In 1978, she dropped out of college and moved to New York. She got a job as a waitress at Dunking Donuts, and in her spare time learned modern dance.

In 1982 she released her first single 'Everybody' and in 1983, she launched her first album 'Madonna'. As well as being a successful music recording artist,

Madonna was very influential in influencing fashion. She has acted in a couple of films. Her appearance in Evita, about Eva Peron, the famous Argentinean wife of the President received good reviews. She has now produced over 10 albums and remains a very influential artist still capable of hitting the top of the album charts. According to Billboard magazine, she is second only to the Beatles in terms of all-time best selling artist.

Biography Rosa Parks

“ People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was forty-two. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in. ” – Rosa Parks

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (1913 – 2005) was an African American civil rights

activist and seamstress whom the U.S. Congress dubbed the "Mother of the

Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement".

After a day of work at Montgomery Fair department store, Parks boarded the Cleveland Avenue bus at around 6 p.m., Thursday, December 1, 1955, in downtown Montgomery. She sat in an empty seat in the first row of back seats reserved for blacks in the "colored" section, which was near the middle of the bus. As the bus traveled along its regular route, all of the white-only seats in the bus filled up. Then, bus driver Blake noted that the front of the bus was filled with white passengers and there were two or three men standing. Therefore, he moved the "colored" section sign behind Parks and demanded that four black people give up their seats in the middle section so that the white passengers could sit.

Blake then asked, "Why don't you stand up?" Parks responded, "I don't think I should have to stand up." Blake called the police to arrest Parks. When

Parks refused to give up her seat, a police officer arrested her. Four days later,

Parks was tried on charges of disorderly conduct and violating a local ordinance.

The trial lasted 30 minutes. Parks was found guilty and fined $10, plus $4 in court costs.

On Sunday, December 4, 1955, plans for the Montgomery Bus Boycott were announced at black churches in the area. It rained that day, but the black community persevered in their boycott. Some rode in carpools, while others traveled in black-operated cabs that charged the same fare as the bus, 10 cents.

Most of the remainder of the 40,000 black commuters walked, some as far as 20 miles. In the end, the boycott lasted for 382 days.

Immediately after the boycott, she lost her job at the department store. In

1965, she was hired by African-American U.S. Representative John Conyers. She worked as his secretary until her retirement in 1988. Conyers remarked of Rosa

Parks.

Jane Goodall Biography

Jane Goodall is a noted humanitarian, environmentalist, and has spent many

years observing the behavior of Chimpanzees in their native habitat.

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. " -

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall was born on, 3rd April, 1934 in London, England. Her childhood ambition was to spend time with animals in the wild. In particular, she was drawn to the African continent and the dream of seeing wild animals in their native habitat. In 1956, Jane, jumped at the opportunity to travel to a friend's farm in Kenya. It was here in Kenya that Jane met the famous anthropologist and paleontologist, Dr. Louis S.B. Leakey. Leakey was impressed with Jane's enthusiasm and knowledge of Africa and wildlife. As a result, he decided to take

Jane to Tanzania on a fossil-hunting expedition.

In 1960, Leakey and Jane began an important study of wild chimpanzees in the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee reserve. The chimpanzees slowly revealed some fascinating habits to the group. These included meat eating - (Chimpanzees had assumed to be vegetarian). Jane also saw Chimpanzees making a 'tool' out of tree bark to use when extracting termites. This was an important discovery because at the time, it was assumed only humans made tools. The study of chimpanzees in their native habit was a groundbreaking event, leading to many new observations. It led to Jane's first article published in National Geographic

1963 "My Life Among Wild Chimpanzees." She earned a Doctorate in Ethology from Darwin College, the University of Cambridge, in 1964.

In 1977, Jane set up the Jane Goodall Institute which promotes initiatives to look after Chimpanzees and their environment. Since then she has devoted her time to encouraging people to do what they can to create a better world.

For her humanitarian work and environmental charities she has received numerous awards including being made a Dame of the British Empire, on

February 20th, 2004; and in 2002, she was made a United Nations Messenger of

Peace by UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.

She married twice and had a son Hugu Eric Louis with her first husband Baron

Hugo van Lawick. Her second husband was Derek Bryceson, who died of cancer in

1980.

Maya Angelou Biography

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

- Maya Angelou from 'Still I rise'

Maya Angelou (original name Marguerite Johnson) was born April 4, 1928 in St

Louis, Missouri. Maya Angelou is one of America’s leading female contemporary

Poets. However, Maya Angelou has also achieved much in the fields of theatre,

acting, writing novels and also as a member of the Civil Rights movement.

Maya Angelou had a turbulent childhood, but she was able to beautifully retell her experiences in her book “I know Why The Caged Bird Sings” (1969). This book is a collection of stories from her childhood and this book made her one of the first African – American Women to reach the best sellers list. “ I Know Why

The Caged Bird Sings” was also nominated for the National Book Award. Maya Angelou married a South African and for a time lived in Cairo where she was the editor of the Arab Observer. However in the 1960s, she returned to

America and played a role in the Civil Rights movement. At the request of Martin

Luther King Jr., she became the regional coordinator for the Southern Christian

Leadership. She has been asked to work on behalf of Presidents Carter (National

Commission on the observance of International Women’s Year) and President

Ford (American Revolutionary Bicentennial Advisory Council. In 1993, President

Clinton requested her to compose a poem for his inauguration. This poem “On

The Pulse of Morning” was read by Maya Angelou at his inauguration.

As well as a poet and writer Maya Angelou has had a productive career in

TV and film. She has written several prize winning documentaries such as. “Afro –

Americans in the Arts”.

The popularity of Maya Angelou has in large part been due to her ability to write about the many experiences of life with a vivid style that absorbs the reader.

Citation : Pettinger, Tejvan. "Biography of Maya Angelou", Oxford, www.biographyonline.net 26 Jan. 2011 05/06/07