Celebrating CNN Heroes

CNN has an annual award they give to ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things in their corner of the world. Among the nominees this year are two women who are doing remarkable things.

Betty Makoni - Zimbabwe - Betty Makoni is a child rape survivor who is giving voice to other child rape victims. Makoni was raped by a shopkeeper when she was 6 years old. Her mother told her not to say it in public. In later years she witnessed her father kill her mother and realized that silence can be deadly. Determined to make a difference for other girls, she started an organization called the Girl Child Network. Forced to flee Zimbabwe because of her efforts, she has continued the work in the United Kingdom. A documentary, 'Tapestries of Hope', has been made about her efforts in Zimbabwe.

Andrea Ivory - Florida - Andrea Ivory is a survivor. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she realized that had it not been for the regular mammograms she received, she might not have caught it in time. She also realized that for uninsured women, the likelihood that it would be caught in the end-stages was highly likely. Determined to make a difference, she started the Florida Breast Health Initiative (FBHI) to help reach out to this underserved group and educate them about breast health.

FBHI has partnered with a local hospital to provide free mammogram screening to this particular population. The impact has been felt in her community and many of the volunteers who go door-to-door are recipients of the benefits of the free mammograms. Some of them had their breast cancer caught in enough time to treat it.

Ivory is determined to continue making a difference for as many women as possible and hopes to expand this help beyond the Florida Borders.

These two women help embody what heroes are made of. Congratulations to both ladies on their nomination. No matter who wins, they are heroes to the people whose lives they have touched.