Mandela Day, on July 18th, stands as a day to honour the challenges and triumphs of Nelson Mandela’s life. Through his work in ending South African apartheid, Mandela forever changed a nation and became a symbol of equality for the entire world. It’s no wonder that his life serves as inspiration for the big screen. We didn’t get enough Mandela movie magic with these 6 inspirational films, so we’re adding more to the list! 1. Mandela Mandela gives an in-depth look at...
It’s hard to keep track of all the incredible things about Nelson Mandela and his accomplishments. We’re clearly inspired by his actions and wisdom, and there’s still even more to know about him! You may remember these 7 facts about Nelson Mandela, and there are a few more to add to the list! via Wikimedia Commons 1. His birth name was Rolihlahla Mandela. His primary school teacher gave him the name Nelson. 2. He began his long road to a college degree...
Malala was thrust into the global spotlight nearly a decade ago because of her unstoppable and courageous dedication to getting an education. Undeterred by the threat of speaking out publicly against the Taliban, Malala blogged for the BBC, featured in a short documentary about her fight for girls’ education in her community and even won Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize. But in 2012, she was shot by the Taliban for standing up for what she believed in. Amazingly, this didn’t stop...
Did you know the first unofficial Population Day happened on July 11th, 1987? Back then, it was also known as the Day of Five Billion as this was the approximate date on which the world’s population reached five billion people! The world’s gotten a lot bigger since then, so we’ve decided to share some surprising facts to about the global population to keep you up to date: 1. The world population is growing rapidly. via GIPHY The world population increases by about 83...
May 25th holds an important celebration every year: Africa Day! Since 1963, Africa and the African diaspora have used this day to commemorate the continent’s liberation from colonial imperialism and the beginning of the African Union (AU). The holiday recognizes this world-changing historical moment, but also stands as a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the changes that are happening in the present day.    First, a quick history lesson: Between 1945 and 1965, many African nations gained independence from colonial rule. In 1957,...
From flying cars to smart houses, shining utopias to interstellar worlds, there are many ways to imagine the future. Science fiction and fantasy genres have long been used to explore the different ways humanity could exist, whether it be an alteration of the present day, a couple of years from now, or centuries ahead. When we speculate about the future, it’s not just a matter of what we imagine, but who we imagine. Afrofuturism combines science fiction and fantasy with...
This blog is written by Jen Roberts, a #ONEonTour volunteer at U2’s new show.  ONE Volunteer Jen Roberts in St. Louis with her sister Nicole Sardo, and her daughter Emma Roberts. With less than an hour before U2 takes the stage, there’s a buzz inside the Scottrade Center in St. Louis as concert attendees stock up on concert merchandise and refill their beers. After a couple hours collecting petitions outside, fellow ONE volunteers and I employed a different tactic inside: stand next...
Megan Gieske is a storyteller and photographer based in Cape Town, South Africa. In Morocco, high in the Atlas mountains, a group of women is active in their own personal and professional development. Here, at rug company Illuminate Collective, the mainly female team works towards the goals of preserving Moroccan art, culture, and people. Rugs are a tradition hundreds of years old in Morocco. Today, they’re dyed with color worthy of Chefchaouen, “The Blue City” of Morocco. Their modern design can...
Throughout history, many inventions have undoubtedly helped women. Everything from birthing kits, to video technology, to agricultural developments, and so much more have helped women thrive and fight for better, more equal lives. Among all the great products that have impacted women around the world, there is an unsung hero: the bicycle. You might be thinking: What do bikes have to do with gender equality? As it turns out, a whole lot! The long journey of the bicycle, originally...
This post contains spoilers for Black Panther and its post-credits scenes. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen it — just go see it already! What responsibility does a wealthy, advanced nation have to less developed nations around the world? When it comes to development, does handing out weapons make as much sense as building schools? What is the right thing for a wealthy nation to do: isolate themselves, or link arms with the rest of the world?...