This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

From the 1950s series.

Jackie Robinson believes that progress is not an impossible fight, because in a free society there is always a chance for people to strive to improve themselves and their lives.

Robinson was the first African-American player in major league baseball, voted the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1949.

From the 1950s series.

Eleanor Roosevelt believes in the importance of thinking things through yourself. Although uncertain in her own religious faith, she believes that life has some greater meaning. It is important to face whatever life or fate throws at you with courage, and to always do your best.

Roosevelt was one of the most active and influential First Ladies in history during her husband’s term as President of the USA.

Mel Rusnov believes in the importance of cultivating creative hobbies and skills outside of one’s day job. She once heard a colleague sing beautifully, which inspired her to take back up her youthful love of playing piano. Through music, she connects with others and expands her sense of self.

Rusnov is a civil engineer and volunteer math tutor in Connecticut whose love of music was inherited from her father.

From the 1950s series.

Carl Sandburg believes in the importance of both humility and pride. People should not do evil, but shouldn’t stress out about faith either. With freedom comes responsibilities, including the responsibility to preserve that freedom through work, pain, and struggle.

Sandburg is a multi-award-winning biographer, poet, lecturer, folk-singer, and newspaper columnist.

From the 1950s series.

Margaret Sanger has faced persecution while fighting for her belief that motherhood should be a higher calling rather than a matter of enslavement. She believes in the importance of tapping her inner resources to confront big problems and to fight for the truth and the betterment of the wider world.

Sanger fought for women’s reproductive rights, opening the first birth control clinic in the United States and founding the organization that would later develop into Planned Parenthood.

Colleen Shaddox named her son after her uncle Charlie, whose piano playing introduced her to her beloved jazz. When she developed cancer Shaddox worried about leaving her son motherless, but realized that she would always be with him in their joyful shared love of jazz.

Shaddox is a writer, editor, and owner of a public relations firm from Connecticut.

Jason Sheehan believes that any day which includes barbeque cannot be bad, and that there can never be too much barbeque. It is the food of the working man, a driver of culture, and should always be served fresh.

Sheehan is an award-winning restaurant critic and former chef from New York.

Mark Shields believes that politics are a peaceful and constructive alternative to violent conflict, and that politicians are brave for opening themselves up to public scrutiny and judgement. Positive social advancements come from the good work of dedicated policymakers, the best of whom make the world a better place.

Shields is a political analyst for PBS who has worked in politics for decades, including on four different presidential campaigns.

From the 1950s series.

Wallace Stegner believes in the importance of moderation, since uncontrolled forces or impulses are potentially dangerous. He believes in Christian virtues, although he is ambivalent about dogma. He thinks that conscience is nurtured from birth. He is proud and humble to be American.

Stegner was a multi-award-winning author and educator.

Gloria Steinem believes that nature and nurture play an equal role in child development, and dreams that a future generation could one day be raised with respect and kindness. She was homeschooled until the age of 12, re-found herself while living in India, and now fights for women’s rights through activism.

Steinem is the founder of Ms. Magazine, an author, journalist, feminist, and social activist.

Andrew Sullivan believes that the pursuit of happiness is more important than its attainment. He treasures life, which is mysterious and sacred, and opposes the encroachment of government authority over freedom. He sees America as imperfect but brimming with value and potential.

Sullivan is the former editor of The New Republic, a writer, blogger, and political commentator.

Deirdre Sullivan believes that life’s moral battles are rarely good versus evil. A more common conflict exists between doing something good but inconvenient, and doing nothing. Her father taught her to always attend funerals regardless of her closeness to the deceased, since doing so is deeply meaningful to the bereaved but only inconvenient for her.

Sullivan is a freelance attorney from New York.

When Harold Taw was born, his family was told that he would bring them prosperity if he fed monkeys every year on his birthday. Although this has been more difficult since he moved from the Burmese jungle to America, he still does so every year. He believes in America, where his immigrant family prospered, and in the importance of rituals and belief.

Taw is an attorney currently writing his first novel, living in Seattle.

From the 1950s series.

Arnold Toynbee believes in Christian values, but thinks that the world is too wide and varied to believe uncritically in prescribed dogma. He thinks that dealing with people is the most important and difficult part of life, because in doing so one must fight against one’s natural selfishness, and balance humility with effectiveness.

Toynbee was a historian, author, professor, philosopher, and delegate to the Paris Peace Conferences.

John Updike believes in both science and religion, and values American politics because he sees democracy as the best form of governance by consent. Creative writing is an important means of communication, creation, and connection.

Updike is a multi-award-winning novelist, poet, essayist, literary commentator, and art critic.

Loudon Wainwright III believes that the act of creation is shrouded in mystery. He can neither predict nor explain how inspiration strikes him, but like a child he prefers to live in a state of blissful, wondering ignorance.

Wainwright is an actor, singer, and songwriter. Born in New York, he now lives in California.

Frank X. Walker believes that creativity is a survival skill, and also a means of imbuing life with meaning. He grew up poor, but learnt creativity from his mother’s innovative and dedicated efforts to support her family. He first practiced honing his own creativity with words through comic books.

Walker is a trailblazing and award-winning poet, as well as an Assistant Professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University.

From the 1950s series.

Rebecca West believes that everyone should be at liberty to do as they please, but that conflicts arise when people wish to interfere with the liberties of others. Freedom is a balancing act requiring constant recalculations. In her youth she thought good would come of rebellion, but she has since learnt to do good through faith, love, and submission to law.

West was a Dame Commander of the British Empire, critic, feminist, novelist, and journalist renowned for her coverage of the Nuremburg Trials.

Jody Williams believes that extraordinary things occur when individuals combine to do collective actions for good. Everyone has the right and responsibility to improve the world, and must do what needs to be done even if it makes the doer unpopular.

Williams does humanitarian work around the world, and founded the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines.