AUGUST 2020

James Baldwin
August 2, 1924 to December 1, 1987

One of the lead authors of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, James Baldwin is best known for his work ​Go Tell It on the Mountain​. A work that was included in ​Time Magazine’s 100 “Best English-Language Novels 1923 to 2005.” While this is his best-known work, Baldwin had written many other articles and papers that would be used by Civil Rights leaders during their fight in the 1960’s. Also, Baldwin was one of the few gay black men in the movement. Realizing his sexual orientation early in life he had to grow up with both systemic racism and homophobia of the period, leading him to leave the United States for France. However, while he there, he did his part to contribute to the Civil rights Movement of the 1960’s. Due to his many works and contributions Baldwin was awarded the George Polk Award and the Eugene F. Saxon Award.

Serj Tankian
August 21, 1967 to Present 

Best known for his work with the band System of the Down, Serj Tankian is a Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter who has made the focus of his musical career to the advancement of social issues. His focus being those around human rights, genocide, and animal rights. This is all shaped in his work, both with the band System of the Down and his own solo works. Famous works include ​Empty Walls a​ and ​Soldiers’ Side​ works based on the issues of the Iraq War and the plight of soldiers respectfully. Tankian also started his own groups to get youths involved in both politics and music. Axis of Justice being the biggest group. Tankian is still active in his work, both musically and politically, and writes songs based on his convictions.

Mary Temple Grandin
August 29, 1947 to Present 

A renown author, animal behavior expert, and advocate for people with autism. Grandin had proven to be a dedicated student who with the aid of her mother and mentors was able to complete her education and became a great aid for parents with autistic children. Her major works are based around her love of animals, her best known work being ​Animals Make US Human.​ However, she has also written a book focused autism, The Autistic Brian, ​which is still used to explain the development of the medical understanding of autism. In this regard she has done much for both the development of understanding animals and humans with a different neurological makeup. 
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