In celebration of Save the Children’s 100th year of changing children’s lives, the global nonprofit is honoring changemakers for children – individuals who have raised their voices and used their influence to drive change for the world’s most marginalized and deprived children in the United States and around the world. A changemaker for children can be anyone who is helping ensure every last child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, educated and safe and believes in a child’s right to a future. Now through June 15, the public is encouraged to nominate individuals who are making an incredible difference for children.
“In Save the Children’s Centennial year, we’ve named people from all walks of life – advocates, everyday heroes, policymakers, artists, philanthropists, teachers and beyond – people who have dedicated at least part of their life to ensuring kids have what they need and changing children’s lives for the better,” said Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children. “I know, every single day, people around the world are doing tremendous things for children and we’re looking forward to receiving – and celebrating – even more changemakers for children.”
In 1919, Save the Children was founded by the original changemaker for children, Eglantyne Jebb. Eglantyne started a campaign to save suffering children across Europe following World War I. She saw a wrong and was determined to make it right. Save the Children was born from this idea and commitment to the world’s children.
Eglantyne was visionary in her belief that children have individual rights and dedicated her life to holding the world accountable to ensuring children’s rights are realized. In 1924, at the League of Nations convention, she presented the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, a short and clear document that she authored asserting the human rights of every child. Eggy’s words led to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959. Her fearless spirit and bold vision continue to drive Save the Children’s work today.
A panel of judges will select one amazing child and one adult changemaker to be honored at Save the Children’s Centennial Gala this fall in New York City. To nominate, visit savethechildren.org/Changemakers.