New! Submit Your Essay
We invite you to contribute to this project by writing and submitting your own statement of personal belief. Your essay may air on WHYY-FM. Learn more and submit your story »
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Welcome to WHYY's This I Believe, a weekly series of radio essays by some of Philadelphia's most influential leaders in politics, the arts, business, civic involvement and even public gardening. Audio essays will air on All Things Considered every Friday at 5:44 p.m. and on Weekend Edition every Sunday at 9:34 a.m. This Week's Essay  Sozi Tulante November 6, 2009 Sozi Tulante's story is as painfully familiar and individually unique as the journey of many political refugees. His childhood memories of the persecution that forced his family out of Africa have fueled his work as a lawyer and human rights activist. In this essay, Tulante pays respect to his father who worked as a taxi driver for 25 years, in order to send him and his siblings to college. Now as a new father himself, Tulante has another reason to tell his family's story of conquering hardship and settling in a welcoming city. Caption: Sozi Tulante and his son Kiese Previously Helen Cunningham October 16, 2009 At first glance, Helen Cunningham is — in essence — an educator. A second look reveals her commitment to teach and listen, to serve a community, to mediate conflict and to encourage individual and collective creativity. As the recipient of the 2009 Philadelphia Human Rights Award and as head of the Fels Fund, Cunnigham casts a wide philanthropic footprint in the region. It's all rooted, she says, in her universe of family and friends.  Carmen Febo San Miguel October 9, 2009 Healer is the word that best describes Carmen Febo San Miguel. As a physician, she concentrated for years in serving predominantly poor Puerto Rican and African American families in Philadelphia. As a cultural healer, she has put her knowledge and energy in creating a place where Puerto Rican and Latino cultures thrive. Febo started volunteering at the Taller Puertorriqueno in the late Seventies, eventually becoming its Executive Director. Her commitment to the city and its people, Febo says, is rooted in the cultural and social activism she learned at home.  Frank Hoeber October 2, 2009 Frank Hoeber describes himself as a dedicated public servant. His long career as a government officer is deeply rooted in his family history and his own activism on issues of social justice. Hoeber is also an historian, who among other things, has translated from German, his grandfather's personal papers. At a time in which even the word government is charged with controversy, Hoeber talks with passion about its importance in his life.  Julie Odell September 25, 2009 As family lore has it, Julie Odell, was born with a book (a soft one) in her hands. Not really, but reading has always been an integral part of this writer's life; as solace, inspiration and life anchor. Odell is working on a second novel and her stories are regularly published in literary magazines. In this essay, she talks about how her passion for literature and language is most vividly evident in the classroom. View the WHYY's This I Believe Essay Archive » |
About
Courtesy: The Estate of Edward R. Murrow This I Believe is a national media project that invites people from all walks of life to write and speak aloud brief essays describing the core values that guide their lives. It's programming that resonates with the core values of public radio, presenting civil discourse that's honest and respectful, authentic and intimate. It shares with listeners the uniquely human voices of American citizens exploring our hopes and ideals. These short statements of belief, have been airing regularly on WHYY and other NPR stations for more than 4 years. The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow. ArchiveView the full WHYY's This I Believe Essay Archive » 
Jay Allison Jan. 2, 2009 Today we start a weekly series of This I Believe essays by some of the city's most influential leaders in politics, the arts, business, social involvement and even public gardening. Elisabeth Perez Luna, editor and producer of WHYY's This I Believe spoke with independent producer Jay Alison who recaptured the spirit of the original series, but with stories that speak of our times. |
