
Former U.S. attorney general and longtime human rights lawyer Ramsey Clark has died at the age of 93.

Activist journalist David Swansonreminds us that, amidst a pandemic and headlines of social and economic reforms, the military industrial complex grinds f

Sherri Mitchell joins host Jennifer Rooks and researcherNatalie Michelle on the radio show "Maine Calling" to discuss climate impacts on indigenous people

The Supreme Court of Virginia has cleared the way for the city of Charlottesville to take down the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ... .

AWTT portrait subject Ai-Jen Poo was among those who testified today before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Join National Writing Project Radio for a conversation with AWTT artistand founder Rob Shetterly and education directorConnieCarter.

Here's a fun graphic essay by cartoonist Eleri Harris depicting some highlights in the history of International Women's Day. And since it all started w

The best thing Robert Shetterly does is paint.

On this day in 1868, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois - scholar, writer, editor, and civil rights pioneer - was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

In this rare interview with CNN's Abby Phillip, Claudette Colvin, now 81, explains why she believes many female activists were overlooked in histories of

Clyde Kennard's story - of his persistent attempts to enter the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in the 1950's - is one of the lesser known stori

Get a sneak peak of Sharon Rudahl's new graphic biography of singer, writer, civil rights activist Paul Robeson in Yes! Magazine.

Who is Pauli Murray?

Originally founded in 1926 as Negro History Week by the famed educator and groundbreaking historian Carter G.

As the new administration takes more steps to address theclimate crisis, we have checked in on responses from some AWTTtruth tellers. Bill McKibbonwass

"In nominating Black Lives Matters for the Nobel Peace Prize, Norwegian MP Petter Eidecited precedents of the Oslo-based Nobel prize committee recognising

Reflecting on Marc Lamont Hill’s statement: “Today, let us remember Martin Luther King as he was: a Black radical anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, revol

Today we reflect on the wisdom of Aldo Leopold, born on this day in 1887 - ahead of his time. As we are becoming increasingly aware, the eradication of

Progressive Radio Network has given The Whistleblower Newsroom an award for outstanding programming in the investigative reporting category.

Penobscot Nation activist Sherri Mitchell's essay "Theory of Natural Connection" appears alongside her AWTT portrait in Pop-Up Magazine's year-end special

Virginia's Commission on Historical Statues in the United States Capitol has voted to recommend civil rights icon Barbara Rose Johns to represent Virginia

AWTT honors not onlyhigh profile people who are changing the world on a global scale.

On his 60th birthday, Bill McKibben takes stock. "I've been writing this column for almost a year now, trying to shine a light on many of the climate c

AWTT artist Robert Shetterly joins twenty other innovative thinkers and truth tellers in a free virtual retreat Wild &Awake. Shetterly's interview

The eighth grade art students of Cynthia Pease on the downeast island of Deer Isle, Maine created a beautiful collection of climate-themed paintings. The

Voting in 2020 is over, but we have a few more months to celebrate the 100th anniversary of woman suffrage.

It was in October 1954 that President Eisenhower declared November 11th as a national holiday to honor U.S. Veterans

American activist Dorothy Day was born on this day in 1897.

Two important birthdays today for members of the AWTT portrait gallery: Eugene Debs (1855) and Ida Tarbell (1857). It wasEugene V.

Today we reflect on the long line of truth-tellers - some famous, some not - who have fought to expand voting rights in this country.

ATLANTA — Murphy Davis, a determined advocate for death row inmates and homeless people in Georgia, died on Thursday of complications related to cancer.

"There is power in unity. When tribal nations are seen as sovereign bodies we can work together toward a better relationship with other governments.

Activist Kevin Zeese's partner Margaret Flowers has writtena short tribute to her late husband, re-published byCommon Dreams. "Kevin fought to bring tr

Marian Wright Edelman, 81, took to the streets this summer, joining millions of people around the country in protesting police brutality after the killing

Union Station, Washington, D.C. August 24-28, 2020 "Anna Laymon, Women's Suffrage Centennial CommissionExecutive Director, toldCNN, 'What we are able

We are pleased to announce that we now have in stock postcard-sized reprints of some favorite AWWT portraits: Civil rights leaderJohn Lewis Worker adv

Across the country, monuments honoring racist figures are being defaced and toppled.

Naomi Klein reflects on how New Deal era projects - including the National Youth Administration's "little huts" project for tuberculosis quarantine - coul

This short video from CNN features AWTT portrait subject Stephen Ritz, whose contagious energy continues to help feed the Bronx. View video here

Although the birth date of Mary Harris Jones is disputed, many have adopted the date of her baptism (Cork, Ireland; August 1, 1837)to celebrate her birthd

We cannot express the depth of our gratitude to John Lewis.

Today is the birthday of Woodrow Wilson, aka "Woody" Guthrie, born in Okemah, Oklahoma (1912).

The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.

As a leading voice forthe Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival,Rev. Dr. William J.

The 5th graders at St. John Catholic School refused to be deterred by the coronovirus or by cancellation of the 2020 Samnatha Smith Challenge Day.

"We must get it right this time or risk losing our democracy forever." “Denial may be neither a matter of telling the truth nor intentionally telling a

Thank you, Trevor Noah, for speaking the truth. In this June 1 episode of The Daily Distancing Show, "Trevor shares his thoughts on the killing of Geor

It's the 201st birthday of Walt Whitman, born on this day in 1819 at West Hills, Long Island, New York. Whitman wrote in his preface to Leaves of Grass

Tuesday (May 19) marks the 95th anniversary ofMalcolm X’s birth.

View new short videos: Speaking Truth to Youth

Don't miss Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's 5/12/20 New York Times op ed: I’m Sick of Asking Children to Be Resilient

Checking in on Naomi Klein as she turns 50 this week. She's been busy.

As frontline workers are calling for May Day strikes - still seekingbasic protections - we honor all of those who have fought for workers in the past: Woo

Browsing through the AWTT portrait gallery this morning, we're finding 47 images of earth champions.

On the eve of Earth Day, we celebratethe birthday of John Muir, who was born on this day in 1838. "The battle we have fought, and are still fighting fo

We were thrilled to bring together these truth tellers during our Charlottesville exhibit (Jan.-March 2020). Featuring: Sherri Mitchell, Kelsey Juliana, D

"...This year, the 35-year-old activist [Maulian Dana] — who became the first-ever Penobscot Nation Ambassador in 2017 — was named a recipient of the Mary

"...But scientific understanding is not enough. There has to be someone to pick up the ball and run with it.

Revisiting the wisdom of Cesar Chavez today: “History will judge societies and governments — and their institutions — not by how big they are or how we

Thanks for The Writer's Almanacfor reminding us that the New York’sTriangle Shirtwaist Factoryburned down on this date (March 25) in 1911.

April 10, 1979 (Olympia, Washington) ~ March 16, 2003 (Rafah, Gaza Strip) Thirty years ago, when Rachel Corrie was 10 years old, she held a press confe

More news from Charlottesville! "Art students at Charlottesville High School were asked to create their own portraits of figures they regard as truth-t

"Formosa’s Point Comfort facility is the subject of a documentary in the new season of Netflix’s “Dirty Money,” premiering worldwide [on March 11, 2020].

Unless you’ve beenliving off the grid (or indenial) you know the story: In spring 2016, Zyahna Bryant wrote an open letter to City Council, calling for th

Dorothy Dayhas captured some headlines this week. First a new biography: "With Dorothy Day: Dissenting Voice of the American Century,John Loughery a

Doris “Granny D” Haddock (1910 – 2010) walked across the United States in support of campaign finance reform.

In conjunction with several AWTT ongoing exhibits in Charlottesville, Robert Shetterly will visit the city this week for somespecial events.

Thanks toThe Writer's Almanac, Saturday, February 15, 2020 edition, for this tribute to SusanB. Anthony on her birthday. "It’s the birthdayofSusan B.

Civil rights attorney Jennifer Harbury was among the speakers at a rally in Austin this month. "Members of the groupHIAS, the global nonprofit protecti

On the tenth anniversary of Howard Zinn's death, educator Bill Bigelow reflects on why Zinn's messages still resonate today. "It’s always worth dipping

Performance artist Kristina Wong and the kids of Radical Cram School have created a video about the life of activistGrace Lee Boggs...in their own words.

Singer song-writer David Rovics has announced the release of his new album Strangers & Friends. "The Ongoing History of Protest Music" reviews the

In the most recent edition of Slate's Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon recommended AWWT posters as great inspirational gifts for kids. "So one of the s

Fellow Alabamian Margaret Renkl honors John Lewis in her recentNew York Times opinion piece. "From a sharecropper’s shack outside Troy, Ala., where as

Catching up with wild man StephenRitz today. So much has happened with Green Bronx Machine since his AWTT portrait was unveiled.

David Marchese interviews Frances MooreLappé about the preservation of democracy. “I want to shift people away from thinking: Democracy, that’s for som

AWTT portrait subjects Chelsea Manning, Coleen Rowley and Jesselyn Radack all have December birthdays, giving us the opportunity to reflect on their coura

In his Sunday NYT column, Charles Blow calls on Bree Newsome Bass to respond to Nikki Haley's revisionist history concerning the Confederate flag. "Ba

Environmental activist Diane Wilson on Tuesday celebrated the approval of a settlement with plastics giant Formosa Plastics Corp.

Today we celebrate and honor Pauli Murray and Robert F. Kennedy who were born on this day in 1910 and 1925 respectively.

On Veterans Day we remember thosewho have served our country through military service, including these AWTT portrait subjects: Dwight D.

As Paul Farmer turns 60 on Saturday, November 26, he is making news in the publishing world. The University of California Press is releasing this month

The congregation at Glide Memorial Methodist Church, a ray of hope in the Tenderloin District for over 50 years, wished the church’s founder a very specia

As we mourn the loss of peaceactivist Frances Crowe, we need also to remember her wit and wisdom.

Labor Day. End of summer. Family gatherings. Picnics. County fairs.

We are excited to announce AWTT's first calendar - featuring Robert Shetterly portraits of 18 inspiring change makers.

NBC 5 Chicago interviews LeAlan Jones about his run for the Senate as theGreen Party nominee. "LeAlan Jones has always been precocious. At 11, he wa

"There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience," environmentalist writer Edward Abbey once said.

Amy Goodman interviews human rights lawyerJennifer Harbury about how our government's "zero tolerence" policy is punishing people who are fleeing crime in

As part of the month-long AWTTIpswichevent, choreographerJanet Taisey Craft, along with dancers Jessie Boudreau, Jenny Carlson, Danielle DiVito, and Tabit

The 2018-19Samantha Smith Challenge saw over 300 Maine middle level students become engaged and active citizens.

They're on a roll. Less that a month after their big day in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the power team landeda major spread in People magazine.

May 14, 2019 - Eve Ensler's new book, The Apology, comes out today. "When Eve Ensler's father died, she knew the apology she had been waiting for her e

Author Nathaniel Rich joins Juliana v. U.S. attorney Andrea Rodgers tonight, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. - a stop on Rich's Losing Earth book tour.

In case you missed Bill McKibben's April 16 interview on Fresh Air, it's worth a listen. His new book: Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself

Eva Paterson testified on April 9, 2019 at the House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Hate Crimes, White Nationalism, and White Supremacy

Marian Wright Edelman, founder an president emerita, of the Children's Defense Fund, continues her fight for children - that they may lead healthy, safe l

Catch up on Paul Chappell's current work with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

The legendary peace activist Frances Crowe has turned 100. She was born on March 15, 1919.

Don't miss Robert Koehler's insightful essay on the juxtaposition of hate crimes and fighting for the planet. "...In the past few days,two young surviv

Check out these Sun Journal photos ofRobert Shetterly's recent visit to the Auburn Middle School, where students are making podcasts on issues they care a

Kathy Kelly, co-cordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, tirelessly continues her call for divestment.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust has announced that Keynote Speaker for this year's Land Conservation Conference will be Majora Carter. The advance billing f

Although the youth plaintiffs in federal court case Juliana v. U.S. lost a key procedural battle in late December, they are not slowing down.

Our current climate crisis and the actions needed to be taken will be the focus of Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein’s next book, to be published b

AWTT's Robert Shetterly will be the evening keynote speaker at Washington & Jefferson College's Symposium on Democracy. Shetterly's topic will be "

The son of an American woman of Dutch heritage and a Navajo man, Mark Charles offers a unique perspective on three of the most misinterpreted words in Ame

Our Children’s Future: A Portrait of Robert Shetterly is a documentary film about this political artist and activist, who has created theportrait seriesAm

Just two weeks left to register for this year's Samantha Smith Challenge! The Samantha Smith Challenge is a dynamic educational program for Maine middl

The REFORM Alliance aims to dramatically reduce the number of people living under unreasonable probation and parole sentences, and in turn, free people fr

The gap between rich and poor is fracturing society, poisoning politics and fueling public anger, according to a new report from anti-poverty nonprofit Ox

Martin Luther King Jr. courageously spoke out about the Vietnam War.

Ai-Jen Poo, the executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, walked the Globes carpet for the second time Sunday with Alfonso Cuaron.

Catching up with Lateefah Simon: Serving on BART Board of Directors (20016-2020), she is pitching the idea of using retired transit cars for housing.

In a recent opinion piece, Frances Moore Lappe argues that most news coverage we are seeing about the Yellow Vest movement is missing some major points an

Freelance Journalist Frances Madeson interviews Dahr Jamail about his recent book: The End of Ice

We must move beyond the myth of the lone individual to recognize our deep interdependence and responsibilities for one another and nature.

On December 26, in a 2-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted defendants’ petition for permission to bring an interlocutory appeal in Juli

Don't miss Michelle Alexander's impassioned and powerful op-ed column in the 12/11 New York Times!

All of Robert Shetterly's 238 completed portraits in the Americans Who Tell the Truth project are on exhibit at Syracuse University through December 14th.

Dr. Margaret Flowers, along with co-author Kevin Zeese, responds to recent Obama conversation at the Baker Institute.

In his review of Barry Jenkins' new movie If Beale Street Could Talk, Elias Rodriques focuses on how Black Feminism was influencing James Baldwin's work i

On December 10, attorneys for the 21 young plaintiffs in the landmark constitutional climate lawsuit, Juliana v.

When the MacArthur Foundation announced its 2018 Genius Fellows today, Dr. Rev Barber was among the chosen 25. AWWT congratulates Dr. Rev.

In a press release dated October 5, Our Chidlren's Trust reported that the Trump administration has filed another motion with the U.S.

Noam Chomsky will turn 90 in December. Here are a few highlights from his work this month (September):

Roy Bourgeois responds to recent disclosures about Pennsylvania priests:

The Wendell Berry Farming Program is up and running again after a two-year hiatus, precipitated by the unexpected closing in 2016 of St.

Trial in the landmark constitutional climate change lawsuit will not start on October 29, but the young plaintiffs will descend on Eugene, Oregon to have

In this tribute to Ruby Bridges, Edelman recalls the courage of a 6-year old black student in 1960 and calls upon all of us to follow her example.

Arena Stage will present the American Artist Award to Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, activist and author Eve Ensler, one of Arena's Power Play

On Friday, November 2 the United States Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's application for stay in the landmark constitutional climate lawsui

Brandeis School of Law has posted some nice website coverage about AWTT program there on October 30.

Tim DeChristopher is interviewed about climate activism and use of the "necessity" defense in a recent WIRED article "Pipeline Vandals are

BRUSSELS - On Tuesday, the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) of the European Parliament voted in favor of a proposed Whistleblower Protection Directive, whic

Dubbed "The Poet of the Black Revolution", the legendary activist, poet and educator Nikki Giovanni received a warm welcome from the D.C.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's compelling story is now in print. What the Eyes Don't See: The Story of Crisis, Resistence and Hope in an American City.

CODEPINK and Global Exchange cofounder Medea Benjamin is still out in the world making noise and taking action - seemingly everywhere.

“I don’t care how many times you tell me you love me, if you put coal ash in my water you don’t love me."

Erika Allen:We use urban farming as a way to heal communities in terms of trauma and the violence that a lot of our youth and their families experience.

This letter about the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Arla Patch and Robert Shetterly was first published in the

Brooksville, Maine -- On January 31, the United States Postal Service will unveil a new postage stamp honoring Shirley Chisholm

Founder of Operation Breaking Stereotypes and AWTT Director of Education, Connie Carter, talks about the history of OBS in this Bangor Daily News article.

Americans Who Tell the Truth and the Maine Association for Middle Level Education launch The Samantha Smith Challenge for service learning and engaged cit

This year, 2015, the MyHero Project and Americans Who Tell the Truth created "The Shetterly Prize".

A video made by Amelya Black from the opening of the Americans Who Tell the Truth show in Greensboro, North Carolina. Robert Shetterly narrates.

Americans Who Tell the Truth and the My Hero Project are putting out the call for entries for the 2nd Annual "Shetterly Prize" for socially engaged art.

The 2016 Samantha Smith Challenge offered and exciting demonstration of student activism around the state of Maine with 9 schools and 700 kids working on

It's been a very exciting fall forAmericans Who Tell the Truth and the Samantha Smith Challenge.

July 31, 2018 Update: The U.S. Supreme Court denied the government's "emergency" motion.

The transgender activist behind a landmark "restroom of choice" case is marking another historic first. This time on television.

Cornell Chronicle reporter Linda Glaser reviews the Phoenix Players Theater Group's production of "The Strength of Our Convictions: The Auburn Redemp

In this 11/27/18 Mongabay newscast, Bill McKibben talks about where he finds hope in the current climate change landscape.
News
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New Maine Veterans for Peace Calendar features 17 portraits
Maine Veterans for Peace has produced a beautiful,informative 17 month calendar that begins with August 2007 and runs through December 2008. Each month has one of the AWTTT portraits and information about important historical social justice events. The calendars are avilable from MVP at http://vfpmaine.org/mainevfpcalendar.htm
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Paperback planned
The sales of the book Americans Who Tell the Truth is in its third printing and sales continue at a rapid pace. Order yours from your local independent bookseller! In the Summer of 2008 Dutton will publish Americans Who Tell the Truth in paperback.
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Rob Shetterly receives Distinguished Achievement award
The University of Southern Maine, at its graduation cerimonies on May 12, 2007 in Portland, awarded Rob its Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of the portrait series.
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Robert Shetterly Receives Honorary Doctorate and Gives Commencement Address
At its graduation ceremonies on May 12, 2007 The University of New England awarded Rob an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, and Rob gave the graduation speech to the Class of 2007 in the Civic Center in Portland, Maine.
Events
- Inter-generational climate conversation
- Cove Street Arts: I Am an American
- Robert Shetterly Portrait Contest
- Using Storytelling for Social Justice
- AWTT Exhibit at Zumi's in Ipswich, MA
- The BTS Center Summer Arts Series
- Americans Who Tell the Truth @ Charlottesville
- Robert Shetterly: The Role of Education in a Democracy
- SUNY Polytech Artist's Talk
- Robert Shetterly at the Active Bystanding and Caring Communities Symposium