PEOPLE KNOWN FOR THEIR CHARITY

KOFI ANNAN

A Ghanaian diplomat, Kofi Atta Annan served as the 7th Secretary

General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He became a

co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Global AIDS

and Health Fund to help and support developing countries

care for their people.

MARIANNE COPE

Also known as Saint Marianne of Moloka’i, Marianne Cope was a

German-born American and member of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Syracuse,

New York. Known for her charitable works and virtuous deeds, she

spent many years caring for lepers on the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaiʻi.

Despite direct contact with the patients over many years, she was

not afflicted by the disease.

PIERRE TOUSSAINT

The Venerable Pierre Toussaint was a former slave from the

French colony of Saint-Dominique who was brought by his

owners to New York City in 1787. After he gained his freedom in 1807,

he adopted the surname Toussaint and became one of the most

famous philanthropists of his time. His house in Franklin Street

became a shelter for orphans, which he supported in getting an

education and learning a trade. He also created a credit bureau and

employment agency for destitute travellers; and founded a

refuge for homeless immigrants.

TONY BLAIR

Tony Blair is a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of

the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. While in office he was known

for his motivation to do something about global climate change and

reduce harmful gas emissions. He also launched several charitable

foundations including the Tony Blair Sports Foundation in order to

increase childhood participation in sports activities and the

Tony Blair Faith Foundation to tackle global poverty and conflict.

ST. ELIZABETH ROMANOVA

The Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia, who was

canonized as St. Elizabeth Romanova was a German princess who

was renowned in Russia for her beauty and charitable works among the poor.

When her husband; Sergei, was murdered by the Socialist Revolutionary

Party’s Combat Organization with a dynamite bomb in 1905; she did not

only forgive her husband’s murderer but also campaigned for his pardon.

BARBARA STREISAND

The popular singer has given millions to education, women’s health,

the environment, and other civic causes. She is known for raising

awareness and donating to numerous charitable organizations by way of

the Streisand Foundation.

DULCE PONTES

A Brazilian Catholic Francescan sister who founded the

‘The Charitable Works Foundation of Sister Dulce,’ Dulce Pontes

was recently named the most admired woman in the history of Brazil.

She was known for her works with the poorest populations in

Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and was beatified with papal approval on

May 22, 2011. She became a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize after

founding one of the largest and most respected philanthropic

organizations in Brazil.

SIR ROGER WILBRAHAM

A prominent English lawyer who served as a Solicitor-General for

Ireland under Elizabeth I, Roger Wilbraham was also active in

charitable works locally. Known for founding numerous alms houses for

the poor and distributing financial provisions on a weekly basis he

managed to create a very philanthropic reputation for himself.

MARGARET THATCHER

Popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady,’ Margaret Thatcher was a

British politician who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

from 1979 to 1990. Her charitable works were often associated with the

Margaret Thatcher Foundation that was not surprisingly devoted to

promoting democracy, free trade, and education.