Good News Break | November 2015
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures”
-Thornton Wilder
Days to Remember
November 11th: Veteran’s Day – On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nation and Germany in the First World War. Originally known as Armistice Day, Veteran’s Day became a legal federal holiday in 1938, a holiday dedicated to thanking American veterans of all wars, living and dead.
November 11th: International Day of the Girl – December of 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/77, declaring October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child in an effort to recognize girls’ rights and unique challenges faced around the world. Today is a great day to #StartTheConvo and encourage healthy and meaningful discussions about gender justice. (November 11th is also my grandma’s birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma!)
November 13th: World Kindness Day – Today, pledge to conduct a single act of kindness. Anything from holding the door open for a stranger to donating books to the local community can make a difference. Kindness Day began when a collection of humanitarian groups gathered to make a “Declaration of Kindness” in 1997. Today is about helping restore a sense of humanity within our community.
November 27th: Thanksgiving Day – The word “Thanksgiving” provokes different feelings in everyone. Turkey, football, stuffing, pumpkin pie, Pilgrims, Wampanoag, and family are all examples of common associations. No matter what food is on your table or who is sitting around you, today is a time to pause, realize what you have and give thanks. This holiday, try to ignore the e-mails, the text messages, the phone calls. Embrace the good things in life.
A Man’s Best Friend
Like every other groom, U.S. Army Veteran Justin Lansford stood at the wedding altar next to his best man. However, unlike typical wedding parties, Lansford’s best man was Gabe, a four year old golden retriever.
Lansford met Gabe when they were paired together through the Warrior Canine Connection program. Lansford had been struggling since losing his leg during an explosion while serving as a paratrooper in Afghanistan. After meeting the puppy, Lansford immediately fell in love; they have been inseparable ever since.
Due to this deep bond, it didn’t seem right to exclude Gabe from the wedding. The dog’s tailored vest was created from Lansford’s military uniform and decorations, creating an emotional ceremony for all involved.
“Since day one, we’ve been joined to the hip,” Lansford told the New York Daily News. “It meant the world to have him next to me. He’s there for me all day, every day.”
Lady Superheros To Inspire
DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Mattel are joining forces to release seven new action heroes. However, this new line will be aimed at a typically underserved demographic when it comes to the comic book world: female fans aged 6-12.
DC Super Hero Girls, launching this fall, features DC Comics most iconic and power female superheroes and villains during their teenage years. Debuted at New York City’s annual Comic Con exhibition earlier October, the line includes notable characters such as Wonder Woman, Superwoman, Batgirl, Bumble Bee and Poison Ivy.
“There is a character to whom every girl can relate, no matter what stage of life in which she currently finds herself,” said Diane Nelson, President of both DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in a statement. “Girls want to experience the strength, action and optimism of Super Heroes, too.”
The initial launch of DC Super Hero Girls in fall 2015 will include an immersive digital experience where fans can begin interacting with the characters. This will be followed by the release of toys, books, and TV specials in 2016.
Giving Back This Holiday
Interested in finding a new way to give back this Thanksgiving? Look no further than Globetops.
Globetops is a Brooklyn based non-profit that connects low-income innovators and people looking for meaningful ways to recycle their laptops. Entrepreneurs from Haiti, India, Guinea and the U.S. can submit their business ideas alongside the goals they hope to achieve with a laptop. Donors can view these profiles, select their favorite, and ship off their old machine. Globetops also accepts money for laptop delivery fees and batteries.
“I’m very passionate about depicting images of people in the developing world who are not needy and suffering, but who are passionate and powerful,” says Globetops founder, Becky Morrison. “There are people doing big things throughout the world, who simply don’t have the resources that they need.”
“Please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren’t afraid. And then go do it.”
-Sheryl Sandberg
About Amanda
This year I am celebrating my fourth fall in Nashville. Originally from Los Angeles, I never could have imagined the beauty that blooms with colder weather. When I am not at PLA, you can find me working at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, on Belmont University’s campus where I study Music Business, or taste testing the wonderful resturants around the city (Current Favorite: The Loving Pie Company).