Real Life Heroes #1: Marguerite Nunnally of Atlanta, GA

[thatcrazycajun]

There are those who say that in today's world, heroes like the ones of yesteryear are to be found only in history books, or works of fiction. There are those who say that in today's world, everybody looks out for Number One, unable to see beyond their own selfish, short-term interests. There are those who say that today's world is so riddled with corruption and injustice that it is foolish and naïve to believe that one person can make a difference.

In this irregular series of posts I am launching today, I'm going to show you living, breathing proof that the people who say those things are just plain, flat-out, dead-assed WRONG. As I learn about them, I will post here links to stories of real people, people just like you and me, who not only could, but did make a difference when fate placed them in a position to do so. People who somehow, somewhere found the courage to act—to save a life, to right a wrong, or just to help someone in need—often risking everything they owned, their careers, their reputations, sometimes even their lives. People who could have all too easily walked away...except that their consciences simply would not let them. People who did the right thing—for no other reason than because it was right...and in so doing, crossed over the line which separates ordinary people from Real Life Heroes.

These people are the ones that inspired me to write "Come the Dawn." They are shining examples of the very best in humanity, in a time when we are all too often confronted with the very worst. They amaze me, they give me hope, they make me proud, they put a lump in my throat...and they challenge me to do more with my own life. I hope reading about them will do the same for you...and if you feel moved to contribute a story of a Real Life Hero you know, or know of, by all means please do.

This is one of them, right here where I live: a lady who teaches at a local private school and was so moved by a bunch of students in a far-off African nation, by their eagerness to learn and willingness to work despite the Damocles' sword of an incurable—and invariably fatal—disease hanging over them, that she decided to get them some things that might help. And then it took off from there...

Marguerite Nunnally and the Terranova School

Comments

Wonderful people

[markiv1111.livejournal.com]

Very glad to have read this. I want to mention one of my own heroes. Her name is Marie Ragghianti, a political appointee in Tennessee who found out that Governor Ray Blanton was selling clemencies and blew the whistle. ("Selling clemencies? What are you talking about?" "You murdered a dozen people and are sentenced to life in prison. $20,000 to the governor and you're back out on the street.") The book is called *Marie: A True Story,* and is by the late Peter Maas; the movie may have the same title but might be just *Marie,* and is hard -- but not impossible -- to find at rental places. My other heroes are an Olympic miler named Glen Cunningham, largely on account of what he underwent to get there, and the Greek orator Demosthenes.

Nate B.

[filkferengi]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this!