Honoring heroes from all walks of life
View the complete list of heroes we've selected. Click through to learn their incredible stories, and why we were honored to invite them to Alaska.
Irena Stanisława Sendler; was a Polish social worker, nurse, and resistance member who, as head of the children’s section of the underground Żegota Council, led efforts to smuggle about 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Using false papers, covert routes, and safe shelters, she saved them from Nazi extermination. Arrested and tortured in 1943, she refused to betray them and escaped execution through a bribe. Honored as Righteous Among the Nations in 1965, she remained a symbol …
For our third hero, we chose a woman who never gave up, even under intense pressure.
During a city-wide blackout caused by a severe winter storm, Nurse Elena Morozov stayed behind at a rural clinic to care for patients on life-support. With backup power failing, she manually ventilated a premature infant for over six hours until emergency crews arrived. Her dedication ensured that every patient in her care survived the night.
Our second hero had the courage to step up when nobody else would.
While reviewing automotive safety data, engineer Dr. Chloe Bunce identified a critical flaw in a new seatbelt mechanism set for mass production. She pushed for immediate recall and redesign, facing corporate pressure to stay silent. Her persistence prevented potential injuries and safeguarded thousands of lives before a single car left the lot.
For our very first hero, we chose someone who illustrated valor in the face of danger.
When a residential building in downtown Vancouver caught fire, Marcus Lee – an off-duty paramedic – ran inside before firefighters arrived. Ignoring the danger, he navigated thick smoke and collapsing beams to rescue six people, including two children trapped on the top floor. His quick thinking and courage saved lives that day.