Share:
Font Size:
The Museum of the Courageous Honors Six Stories of Americans Who Stood Up to Hate
The Courageous Class is an annual celebration of inspiring stories. Among this year's honorees are leaders whose courageous actions changed the face of civil rights in America; shattered the silence that surrounds hate; pushed for equality and led multi-year campaigns against racial terror.
Launched in 2019, MOTC curates the stories of Americans who have taken an extraordinary stand against hate. These stories have one powerful message in common - that even small actions can have a powerful effect on history and influence others to stand up.
"After the tremendous response to last year's inaugural Courageous Class, we know that these profound stories of courage bear the potential to change hearts and minds," said Teresa Vazquez, executive director and founding trustee of MOTC. "As we wade toward the two-year mark on the pandemic, this year's honorees remind us that humanity is at its strongest when it is united against injustice and discrimination. We're immensely proud to celebrate the inspiring 2022 Courageous Class, who have shown that every act of courage, no matter how small, has the potential to push back against hate in a meaningful manner."
The 2022 Courageous Class includes:
Zach Banner, 2020
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When a fellow NFL player posted an antisemitic quote, Zach Banner publicly denounced hate and encourage all communities to uplift one another instead of being divided by hate.
Kym Worthy and Kim Trent, 2015
Detroit, Michigan
When 11,314 untested rape kits were discovered in a police storage unite, Kym Worthy and Kim Trent mobilized Black women and men to demand justice for the survivors.
Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, 1990
Washington, DC
An 8-year-old disability rights activist abandoned her wheelchair and crawled up the Capitol steps, compelling Congress to pass a landmark civil rights law that removed barriers and increased access for those with disabilities.
Helen Zia, 1983
Detroit, Michigan
After a race-motivated attack takes the live of Vincent Chin, Helen Zia and Detroit activists spark a pan Asian American movement to seek justice.
Joseph Eichler, 1958
Los Angeles, California
A prominent developer, who quietly integrated the suburbs of Los Angeles and San Francisco, showed desegrated housing could be both morally right and profitable.
Dallas Morning News, 1921
Dallas, Texas
When the Klan proclaimed itself the law and marched through downtown Dallas, the Dallas Morning News editorial staff launched a war against the powerful organization that led to a boycott that almost destroyed the paper.
"The 2022 Courageous Class illuminates the powerful American cultural narrative that individuals have the agency to change the future for the better," said David Neil, board chair and founding trustee of MOTC. "The intention behind the Museum and celebrating these stories of courage is to inspire others to stand up to hate."
The 2022 Courageous Class was made possible with support from Cowen, the T. Rowe Price Foundation, and many individuals committed to standing up to hate.
About the Museum of the Courageous.
The Museum of the Courageous (MOTC) curates the stories of Americans who have taken a stand against hate. Founded on the beliefs that powerful narratives compel action and storytelling at scale can change a nation, MOTC amplifies untold and under-told examples of courage to continuously shift our country toward justice.
To learn more, visit www.motc.org.
Media Contact: Jaime Horn, jaime@jlh-strategies.com, (202) 308-8810
###
