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Beliefnet.com, the popular multi-faith spirituality website owned by Fox Entertainment Group, is currently taking votes for its eighth annual “Most Inspiring Person of the Year” award and will do so through the end of next week.
The selection of the ten nominees is a yearly recognition by Beliefnet readers and editors of noteworthy humanitarian actions that inspire and encourage people of all beliefs and backgrounds to live better lives. Nominees are typically those who have countered stereotypes and demonstrated courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice or love under difficult and challenging circumstances.
“Hope, selflessness and human kindness live within each and every one of us and this year’s nominees for Most Inspiring Person of the Year demonstrate the dramatic impact those qualities can have when called into action,” commented Beliefnet Managing Editor Michael Kress in an announcement last week.
“Individually, these ten whole-hearted spirits embody the greatest depths of human dignity and self-sacrifice,” he added. “Shedding light on their stories reminds us that there are heroes everywhere we look, leaving legacies that will last for generations to come.”
Every day, between Nov. 17 and Dec. 5, visitors to Beliefnet.com can vote for the person whose actions they find most inspiring. During the voting period, a different nominee will be featured each day on Beliefnet.com along with a gallery featuring photos and background for all of the nominees. In addition to viewing videos, reading the nominee’s bio and voting for the candidate of their choice, visitors will also be able to discuss what they love and admire about the nominees on a special forum on the website.
Following the voting’s conclusion, editors will choose the 2008 honoree from the three nominees receiving the most votes. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
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Last year, the honor went to Virginia Tech Professor Liviu Librescu in acknowledgement of the selfless courage he demonstrated when he sacrificed his life for his students during the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre – the deadliest shooting incident by a single gunman in U.S. history.
Previous honorees also included the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pa., in recognition for their remarkable spirit of forgiveness in reaction to the murder of five young girls from their tight-knit community.
Nominees for Beliefnet’s Most Inspiring Person of the Year for 2008 are:
• Christina Applegate, the well-known actress and breast cancer survivor became a passionate crusader for breast cancer awareness and finding a cure when her mother was stricken with the disease.
• Dr. Halima Bashir, a Sudanese doctor who was brutally punished for medically treating the injured and then declaiming the rape and torture of young girls who are being traumatized by government-backed rapists in Darfur.
• The Boy Scouts of Nebraska and Iowa, who rallied into action when a devastating tornado ripped through their remote western Iowa campsite.
• Steven Curtis Chapman, the award-winning Christian music artist who sustained his family’s spirit and faith through the tragic loss of his daughter. Chapman is also a tireless advocate for underprivileged children and Christian relief.
• Master Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson, the Oklahoma marine who returned to Iraq despite devastating war injuries.
• Darin Headrick, a Superintendent of Schools in Greensburg, Kan., who spearheaded efforts to get his school system back up and running better than ever before after 95 percent of tiny community was destroyed by a two mile wide tornado.
• Paul Newman, the “beloved film star and philanthropist who built a life by doing good for others.”
• Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon’s “Last Lecture” professor who inspired millions to live their dreams.
• Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a brain scientist whose own massive stroke inspired her to change the course of her life and share new knowledge with the world.
• Dara Torres, the oldest swimming medalist in Olympic history whose instinctive and selfless gesture to help a competitor has been considered by many as her most valiant and inspiring moment.
Beliefnet’s Most Inspiring Person of the Year for 2008 is sponsored by Liberty Mutual's The Responsibility Project.
