I think it's terrific that Mary Shuttleworth, the founder and president of Youth for Human Rights International, was named as a Pepsi Everyday Freedom Hero this year.
What Pepsi says about this award is:
"A Freedom Hero is an individual or group that takes action to protect or extend freedom. The action is often as simple as speaking up, working as a catalyst for change or encouraging others to learn, grow and contribute. Freedom Heroes come from all walks of life and may affect any form of freedom including race, gender, religion, speech, press, educational, social and/or economic issues. We honor the individual whose innovation, involvement and intervention redirects fate."
Mary recently completed the third annual Youth for Human Rights World Tour, where she visited 30 cities and released human rights public service anouncement - one in each city - covering all 3o articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These ads, which are really short films and works of art - were directed by Mary's son, Taron Lexton, who was the director of the award-winning United human rights music DVD.
Here's what they say about Mary on the web site:
Mary Shuttleworth grew up in the Apartheid days of South Africa. She grew up with a passion for human rights and a desire to share the passion with young people. Mary moved to the United States where she became a school principal and children's advocate. She launched Youth for Human Rights International as an education program for children so they would understand and embrace the importance of human rights and religious tolerance. Mary shared this passion with her son, Taron.
