unsung hero definition essay

Unsung Hero: Meaning, Origin & Correct Usage

Are you curious about the meaning of the term “unsung hero”? This phrase describes people who don’t get credit for saving the day; let’s learn how to use it correctly.

You might have heard the term “ unsung hero ” and wondered about its meaning. After all, aren’t heroes generally praised for their good deeds? This phrase is an idiom used to describe someone who has done something heroic but didn’t receive any recognition for it.

This meaning was captured perfectly by Dwayne Johnson when he said: “ I’ve always seen first responders as unsung heroes and very special people because, when everyone else is running away from danger, they run into it .”

Let’s learn more about the origin of this phrase and how to use it. While you’re here, you might also be interested in the hero’s journey , and how you can use it in your fictional writing.

What Is An Unsung Hero?

How to use the term “unsung hero” correctly, unsung hero origin, unsung hero synonyms, what is the unsung hero award, is unsung hero one word or two.

This phrase is a combination of two words: “hero” means someone who is admired for their good deeds, courage, or character, and “unsung” means someone who is unpraised for their hard work. In other words: an unsung hero is someone who doesn’t get appreciation, thanks, or credit for their good character and achievements, according to Wikipedia’s Wiktionary and other English dictionaries.

The term “unsung hero” is generally used to describe people, but this isn’t a hard rule. You can describe an animal, place, or thing are an unsung hero in certain circumstances. For example, if a fire alarm disrupted an exam you weren’t prepared for, you might jokingly call it an unsung hero.

Although it wouldn’t be grammatically incorrect to refer to yourself as an unsung hero, people rarely say it about themselves. Instead, it’s considered a compliment to say it about someone else. If you wanted to vent about feeling unappreciated, you could say you feel overlooked or taken for granted.

Here are some example sentences:

• The receptionists are the unsung heroes at the vet, they take the brunt of customer’s frustrations.
• Nurses are unsung heroes ; the care they deliver to patients is invaluable.
• My partner is really the unsung hero , I couldn’t have gotten my Ph.D. without their support.
• My dog is the unsung hero , he first alerted me that something was wrong; I just pulled the fire alarm.
• My sister is the unsung hero here, I would have failed my Spanish exam without her help.
• My German is weak, my translation app was the unsung hero of the trip.

The term “unsung hero” has been part of English speakers’ vocabularies for almost 200 years. The first recorded use of this term came in 1860 when it was used in an article in Merry’s Museum & Parley’s Magazine .

The individual words have a much longer history.

Unsung (ʌnˈsʌŋ) means unpraised, but it originally meant a song that was not sung and can still be used in this context. Sing came from the Old English word “singan,” which became “singen” in Middle English. It didn’t come to mean something or someone that was not praised or celebrated until the 1600s.

Hero comes from the Greek word “hērōs” and was believed to be used to describe “protectors” and God-like figures, such as Heracles, also known as Hercules. The word was borrowed from Greek by Latin, then by Old French, before eventually becoming the English word we know today. It came to be a word to describe humans who were exceptionally brave, rather than mythical characters and demi-gods, in the 1600s.

As mentioned earlier, the phrase “unsung hero” is an idiom. Idioms are words or phrases with a figurative definition that does not always make sense when we look at the phrase literally.

It is also considered a collocation. These are words that are often used together. Other examples of collocations are “fast food,” “save time,” and “pay attention.”

You might also be interested in our guide on basic English grammar rules .

There are a few synonyms for the phrase “unsung hero” in a thesaurus. Below is a word list to add to your English learner’s dictionary to increase your vocabulary:

• Secret Weapon
• Silent hero
• Nameless hero
• Unappreciated

If you want to learn some more new words, check out our list of essay words .

Unsung Hero Meaning: FAQs

There are several unsung hero awards, including the UK’s Unsung Hero Awards (AHA) to celebrate non-clinical and non-medical volunteers and staff in the NHS, BBC Sports’ Unsung Hero Award, and Thank a Teacher’s Unsung Heroes Award. The purpose of awards like these is to give people the recognition they deserve.

“Unsung hero” is two separate words, but it is referred to as an open compound word. That is two words that function together to create meaning but remain separated by a space. If you were attempting to use this word in a game like Scrabble, you would have to find a synonym or use “unsung” and “hero” separately.

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Unsung Heroes

Assessment model print, okay definition.

This essay defines the term hero .

Title: Unsung Heroes

Level: Grade 9, Grade 10

Mode: Explanatory Writing

Form: Definition

Completed Rubric: Unsung Heroes Rubric

Blank Rubric: Explanatory Assessment Rubric

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Student Model

What is a hero? Is it an astronaut who gets a big parade when they come home? Is it a firefighter who risks their life to save a child from a burning building? Is it a social worker who helps people put their lives together? All three could be considered heroes because they do difficult things, often in dangerous situations. The dictionary says that a hero is a person who is admired because they did something great. Heroes are people who show strength, courage, and grace under fire.

My younger brother thinks that movie stars are heroes because he admires them. But movie stars do not show strength the way real heroes do. When I asked some of my friends to name real heroes they gave examples of people who show strength. Heroes are firefighters who battle fierce fires or emergency workers who go out in bad weather to rescue people or fix broken power lines. These people use physical strength every day to make the world safer for others.

Heroes are not only strong, but they show courage. I saw a story on the television news about firefighters who ran into a burning building to rescue a baby. Even though they might be frightened, they go into a burning building or face a bully or face getting turned down for a job they really need. They keep after it, though. That’s what makes them heroes. They keep trying to get the job done.

Showing grace under fire means that heroes do not get angry or show that they are scared. Even in desparate situations, heroes stay calm and keep there cool. They get the job done. Of course, that is the most important quality in heroes because most people would be afraid in a fire or disaster and would run away. Heroes stay and deal with things.

A hero is a person who gets a job done right and uses strength and courage to get it done. He or she faces the odds without showing that they are afriad. Being a hero is not an easy thing but there are more heroes out there than you might think. People who are heroes do not always get recognized. Some of them don’t even think of themselves as heroes. True heroes are more than action figures, they are ordinary people who are brave, calm, and kind.

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Unsung Heroes: Encouraging Students to Appreciate Those Who Fought for Social Justice

Teaching Activity. Essay by Howard Zinn and lesson by Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 17 pages. Students research and share stories about unsung heroes in U.S. history.

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You can no more win a war, than you can win an earthquake.” —Jeannette Rankin

Schools help teach students who “we” are. And as Howard Zinn points out in his essay “Unsung Heroes,” too often the curricular “we” are the great slaveholders, plunderers, imperialists, and captains of industry of yesteryear.

Thus when we teach about the genocide Columbus launched against the Taínos, or Washington’s scorched-earth war on the Iroquois, or even Abraham Lincoln’s promise in his first inaugural address to support a constitutional amendment making slavery permanent in Southern states, some students may experience this new information as a personal loss. In part, as Zinn suggests, this is because they’ve been denied a more honorable past with which to identify — one that acknowledges racism and exploitation, but also highlights courageous initiatives for social equality and justice.

The roles included are:

From the opening of the “Unsung Heroes” essay by Howard Zinn

A high school student recently confronted me: “I read in your book A People’s History of the United States about the massacres of Indians, the long history of racism, the persistence of poverty in the richest country in the world, the senseless wars. How can I keep from being thoroughly alienated and depressed?”

It’s a question I’ve heard many times before. Another question often put to me by students is: Don’t we need our national idols? You are taking down all our national heroes — the Founding Fathers, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy. Granted, it is good to have historical figures we can admire and emulate. But why hold up as models the 55 rich white men who drafted the Constitution as a way of establishing a government that would protect the interests of their class — slaveholders, merchants, bondholders, land speculators?

Why not recall the humanitarianism of William Penn, an early colonist who made peace with the Delaware Indians instead of warring on them, as other colonial leaders were doing?”

Classroom Story

“ Unsung Heroes ” is a lesson I’ve used every year. It is always a hit with my students, who are engaged and ask important questions during this unit. When students embody those heroic figures I hope they emulate, it is also important identity work which is critical during the middle school years that my students find themselves in.

Students always say that they never knew there were so many people who had to struggle for equality in the U.S. It is edifying for me when students say, “She looks like me!” regarding one of the heroes, or otherwise find ways to relate their own lives to the lives of figures who helped in the struggle for equality.

This lesson was published by  Rethinking Schools  in Rethinking Our Classrooms, Volume 2: Teaching For Equity and Justice . For more lessons like “Unsung Heroes: Encouraging Students to Appreciate Those Who Fought for Social Justice,” order Rethinking Our Classrooms, Vol. 2 with a collection of from-the-classroom articles, curriculum ideas, lesson plans, poetry, and resources — all grounded in the realities of school life, edited by Bill Bigelow, Brenda Harvey, and Stan Karp.

A similar lesson is available from Teaching for Change called “ Resistance 101: A Lesson on Social Justice Activists and Strategies .”

Related Resources

Voices of a People’s History of the United States, 10th Anniversary Edition

Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove. 2014. 704 pages. Speeches, letters, poems, and songs for each chapter of A People’s History of the United States .

How to — and How Not to — Teach Role Plays

Considerations regarding the planning and use of role plays for teaching people’s history.

4 comments on “ Unsung Heroes: Encouraging Students to Appreciate Those Who Fought for Social Justice ”

When are you going to add in the story of Catholic institution building, anti-Catholic bias in the 19th and twentieth centuries, and add the names of Catholic women, especially nuns and sisters, who worked to overcome barriers erected by the majority culture during this time? None of this is in textbooks I have read over the course of my college education: from freshman through the doctoral levels.

Teachers, let’s make sure we use this plan and even expand on it when helping students choose a topic for their National History Day 2017 project. This year’s theme is “Taking a Stand in History”…its begging our students to research those who have stood for justice.

Thank you for adding truth to the study of our past… When humans hide the imperfections and demons among us, truth loses and the injustices and imperfections in our past keep their un-warranted power.

Thank you for you enlightening work.

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Unsung hero

| Grammarist

Unsung hero is a term that first appeared in the mid-1800s, though it has its roots in ancient Greece. We will examine the meaning of the term unsung hero , where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.

An unsung hero is a person who has achieved great things or committed acts of bravery or self-sacrifice, yet is not celebrated or recognized. An unsung hero may be someone who acts bravely in battle without notice, or someone who sacrifices himself for the good of the group, without recognition. The earliest known use of the term unsung hero is in a children’s periodical published in the mid-1800s called Merry’s Museum & Parley’s Magazine. The idea that heroes should be celebrated in song goes back thousands of years. Many believe that the origin of the term unsung hero dates to the Greek poet Pindar, who celebrated the athletes in the Panhellenic festivals in a series of odes. In his work, Isthmian Odes, Pindar wrote: “Unsung, the noblest deed will die.”

Examples HELEN Keevers died suddenly on Mother’s Day as one of the unsung heroes of the fight for justice for child sexual abuse survivors in the Hunter and across Australia. ( The Newcastle Herald ) Mervo’s Jamar Mackell and Eastern Tech’s Natalie Bates were the big winners at the 78th annual McCormick Unsung Heroes Awards Banquet Monday night at Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville.  ( The Baltimore Sun ) While Hardway might seem like just another face of Denison’s task force, he is an unsung hero of this campus. ( The Denisonian ) An off-duty Dolton police detective who was honored last year for being an “unsung hero” was shot several times when he exchanged gunfire with two men who tried to rob him outside his home on the South Side of Chicago early Monday, according to authorities. ( The Chicago Tribune )

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20 Unsung Heroes from History

History may be written by the victors, but it’s high time some of history’s quieter contributors got the attention they deserve. From medical breakthroughs to fearless adventurers, this group of historical heavyweights all deserve to be household names.

1. Henrietta Lacks // Immortal Cells

Henrietta Lacks died in 1951, but parts of her live on to this day. Since the time they were taken from her (without her knowledge) during a medical examination at Johns Hopkins, cells collected from her cervix tissue have remained alive—and thriving.

Lacks was one of many Black people whose bodies contributed to nonconsensual medical experiments at Johns Hopkins  and beyond in the mid-20th century. Cells collected from others had died, but the ones lifted from Lacks’s tissue under the legitimizing sheen of medical treatment proved, shockingly, to divide again and again. The immortal "HeLa cells" have gone on to provide the foundation for two Nobel Prizes, nearly 20,000 patents, and countless medical advances. But it wasn’t until 20 years after Lacks’s death that anyone—including her family—knew they’d belonged to her.

2. Tenzing Norgay // A Climber Above

Before summiting Mount Everest was the pinnacle of every daredevil’s bucket list, a Nepali-Indian man by the name of Tenzing Norgay (born Namgyal Wangdi) became one of the first people to finish the daring trek.

For years, Norgay had served as a Sherpa, aiding in several unsuccessful attempts by British, Canadian, and Swiss mountaineering parties throughout the 1930s and ‘40s to reach Everest's elusive summit. Then, in 1953, he joined the expedition of John Hunt, a British Army officer, and ultimately accompanied fellow expedition member Edmund Hillary (whom Norgay had saved from a dangerous fall in a previous mission) to make the final ascent. Norgay went on to publish several books about his experiences.

3. Virginia Apgar // Better Health for Newborns

Despite graduating fourth in her class at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1933, Virginia Apgar faced a host of setbacks in the early decades of her career. She initially worked in surgery, though was discouraged from continuing by the chair. Later, when she returned to Columbia as director of anesthesia in 1938, she had to contend with lower pay and her colleagues’ lack of respect for the then-undervalued field.

By the mid-1940s, however, things began to look up. Anesthesia became better respected, helping propel Apgar to the position of professor at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons—the first woman to have the job. The work Apgar is best remembered for came in the 1950s when she developed a system for assessing the health of newborns. The Apgar Score is still used to this day.

4. Enheduanna // Tales for the Ages

The daughter of Sumerian royalty, Enheduanna had a busy schedule. In addition to serving as high priestess in one of the area’s most important temples, she also found the time to cement herself as the earliest identified author in the world. Among her writings are 42 hymns and a personal devotion to a goddess (which also features a recounting of her own exile from the ancient city of Ur).

Enheduanna lived in around 2300 BCE, but her return to relevance didn’t come until the 1950s, when the first academic papers drew on 1927 archaeological discoveries during the excavation of Ur to examine her work and legacy.

5. Maurice Hilleman // Vaccine Maven

Ever wondered why you haven’t come down with measles , mumps, or rubella recently? You can thank Maurice Hillerman , a Depression-era farm boy turned virologist who earned a microbiology and chemistry Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1944. For the next 60 years, Hillerman was tenacious in his battle against viruses and his quick work likely helped avert a pandemic in 1957.

In spite (or maybe because) of his brilliance, he wasn’t always one for convention. When his daughter came down with the mumps in 1963, he swabbed her throat and had a vaccine developed just four years later. By the end of his career, he’d developed more than 40 vaccines.

6. Rosalind Franklin // The Third Contributor to the Double Helix

When most people think of DNA, they think of two pairs—the double-helix and Watson and Crick. James Watson and James Crick revolutionized the scientific world when they published their model of DNA. And while the two were duly lauded, few knew that there had been a third (and unwitting) contributor: Rosalind Franklin .

Franklin, as it happened, had also been working to uncover the structure of DNA , and had a now-famous photograph among her research. When an estranged work partner showed Franklin’s unpublished research to Watson and Crick, they ultimately built their final model in part off of her findings. For years afterward, Franklin’s critical contributions were all but erased.

7. Ignaz Semmelweis // Hygiene Pioneer

Wash my hands ? Before performing surgery? Hard pass. That was the (paraphrased) reaction to Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis ’s 1846 suggestion that maybe, just maybe, his medical colleagues should disinfect their hands and tools between handling cadavers and helping to deliver newborns.

When he implemented this simple requirement in his Vienna hospital department, death rates among new moms plummeted. Germ theory hadn’t yet been established, which meant Semmelweis couldn’t explain why his practice worked, only that it clearly did. Despite the dramatic results, doctors didn’t take kindly to the implication that they were to blame for patients’ deaths, and Semmelweis ’s pugnacious attitude didn’t win him many allies. Eventually, he lost his job, and his former staff abandoned the practice.

8. Ibn Battuta // “One of the Greatest Travelers of All Time”

No one can say for sure exactly how many places Ibn Battuta visited, but all can agree on one thing: It was a very high number. Battuta got the travel bug in 1325, when he set off from his hometown of Tangier on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Along the way, Battuta made pit stops in Egypt and Syria and dropped by some of history’s most famous cities, including Alexandria and Jerusalem.

After his pilgrimage was over, he decided it wasn’t time yet to return home. He set out instead through the Middle East and India, and later sailed the Red Sea and saw the Horn of Africa. He may even have spent time in China (where he saw the Great Wall), as well as Spain and Mali, and even crossed the Sahara Desert. Home in Morocco after 30 years of adventure, he told his story to a poet, who turned it into the Rihla, which has become an invaluable historical text for modern scholars.

9. John Tradescant // Collector of Oddities

Over the course of his career gathering seeds and bulbs for his work as a gardener to English nobility, John Tradescant acquired a host of oddities ranging from exotic animals like salamanders and pelicans to mythological artifacts like the egg of a dragon .

In 1628, Tradescant opened his home to the public, charging them sixpence to enter and see his curiosities. It quickly became a must-see London attraction, and ultimately gave rise to the modern Ashmolean Museum in Oxford—the world's first public museum .

10. Bayard Rustin // Civil Rights Leader

Long before the Civil Rights movement began gaining steam in the late 1950s, Bayard Rustin had already gained the attention of federal authorities over his demands for equality. As early as the 1930s, he was protesting the racial segregation in the U.S. military and traveled the country making speeches. In 1963, Rustin and A. Philip Randolph teamed up with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  to plan the March on Washington.

Though many of his contemporaries became household names, Rustin often stayed behind the scenes, in part because he was a gay man. In the 1980s, however, Rustin began to speak openly about his sexuality and advocate for gay rights.

11. Alexander Fleming // Discovery of Penicillin

While serving in the Army Medical Corps during World War I , Scottish physician and scientist Alexander Fleming watched as soldiers died as a result of infected wounds. His observations led him to write an article on the topic that went unaccepted in the journals of the day.

In 1928, he inadvertently discovered a bacteria-killing mold after leaving a Petri dish uncovered near   an open   window. After determining it was part of the Penicillium genus, he published a 1929 paper about the discovery he’d since named penicillin. Initially largely ignored, penicillin caught the attention of two scientists in 1940, who began mass-producing it during the Second World War . “I did not invent penicillin. Nature did that,” Fleming later said. “I only discovered it by accident.”

12. Mildred and Richard Loving // Fighters for Interracial Love

Mildred and Richard Loving ’s 1958 marriage was entirely normal, except for the fact that it happened to be illegal in Virginia, their home state. The problem? Richard was white, and Mildred was Black and Native American, which violated the states’ so-called Racial Integrity Act. After being arrested just five weeks into their marriage, the couple was told they could either go to prison or stay out of the state for the next 25 years.

But the couple wanted to live at home, so after trying to create a new life in Washington, D.C., they contacted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and sued the state. After multiple appeals, the case landed in the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1967, the justices announced a unanimous decision that made the Virginia law (and with it, laws on the books in 15 other states) unconstitutional.

13. Wendell Smith // Pioneering Black Sportswriter

Wendell Smith grew up wanting to play sports, not write about them. But despite attention from a scout from the Detroit Tigers, being a Black man in the 1930s meant a career as a major league ballplayer was out of the question.

Instead, Smith went to college and became a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Courier , at which he made a splash after interviewing more than 50 white players and managers about baseball’s color line. Smith used his findings (75 percent said they’d welcome Black players) to pressure the MLB, and ultimately connected Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey with Jackie Robinson . Once Robinson was signed, Smith stayed with him to support his transition, all while continuing his writing career. Smith went on to become the first Black sportswriter at a white newspaper.

14. Alexander Mackenzie // The First European to Cross the North American Continent

More than a decade before Lewis and Clark’s famous cross-continent trek, another European explorer claimed the title of first to cross North America (north of Mexico). In 1788, Alexander Mackenzie replaced Peter Pond as head of operations for the fur-trading North West Company. Pond had theorized that Cook’s River ultimately emptied out into the Pacific, and Mackenzie decided to test this hypothesis in the hopes that it would open up new trade routes.

The river, it transpired, actually went north, and after a brief detour to the Arctic Ocean, Mackenzie came home and decided to try again. In 1793, he set out on a different route alongside a party that included both fellow members of the North West Company and First Nations advisors. Miraculously, the group made it to the Pacific Ocean in one piece and successfully returned home. While it was too treacherous for a trade route, his resulting maps vastly improved global understanding of North American geography.

15. Karl Schwarzschild // Physics from the Battlefield

When Albert Einstein published field equations of general relativity in 1915, he didn’t expect to live to see them solved. But apparently, even geniuses are wrong once in a while.

In the very same year, one Karl Schwarzchild , a Jewish-German army lieutenant who’d volunteered to fight in World War I (he was 40 at the time) somehow found the time to publish not one but three scientific papers. The two that covered general relativity included the first exact solutions to Einstein’s field equations. Sadly, what more Schwarzchild could have achieved remains a mystery: He died only a year later.

16. Lavinia Fontana // Europe’s First Professional Female Painter

Born in 1552 to a painter in Bologna, Lavina Fontana displayed artistic promise from an early age. Her father spotted her talent and even used her earning potential as a way to evade paying a dowry in her marriage to a wealthy merchant.

When she wasn’t busy birthing 11 children, Fontana established herself as Europe’s first professional female painter, becoming a coveted portrait artist for the noblewomen of the age. As her fame grew, so did her client list, which eventually included the Catholic Church and the king of Spain. In 1603, she was inducted into an all-male Academy of St. Luke.

17. Louis Braille // Making Reading Possible for the Blind

Just 12 years after accidentally blinding himself at the age of 3, Louis Braille developed a system of writing for the blind made up of raised dots. Five years later, he published a book on the subject (in Braille, of course).

Braille went on to have a successful career in education, teaching algebra, grammar, music, and geography at the New School for the Blind in Paris and becoming its first blind full professor.

18. Andrée Borrel // Fearless Resistance Fighter

Andrée Borrel began World War II as a nurse, but when her hospital closed in 1941, she and her coworker, Maurice Dufour, went into a more dangerous line of work. Near the border with Spain, Borrell and Dufour began operating Villa Rene-Therese, the last safe house in a network that helped people at risk escape Nazi-controlled France.

When the network was compromised, she escaped to England, where she joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in 1942. After training, she parachuted back into France (the first woman to do so) and worked there as a courier for resistance networks, as a saboteur, and more. In 1943, she was arrested by the Gestapo but refused to talk under interrogation. A year later, she was executed in Germany.

19. Private Henry Johnson // Forgotten War Hero

The American military had little use for the Harlem Hellfighters (otherwise known as the 369th Infantry Regiment). They were an all-Black division, which in World War I meant the Army paid little interest in them .  But France badly needed soldiers, so Private Henry Johnson and the rest of the regiment were shipped overseas, where they received French gear and served under French authority.

One night, when Johnson and another man were stationed on middle-of-the-night guard duty, a group of German forces attacked. When his fellow soldier went down, Johnson was left alone to fend off the growing group of enemies descending upon him. Once he used up his available grenades and ammunition, he resorted to a bolo knife, with which he somehow managed to kill four Germans and injure between 10 and 20 others, all while sporting bullet wounds in his head, side, hands, and arms.

For his bravery, Johnson was awarded the highest honor in the French military: the Croix du Guerre. Despite his French accolades, he received few honors at home and was unable to take advantage of veteran programs made available to white soldiers. He soon found himself unemployed and died young. Johnson finally received a posthumous Purple Heart in 1996 and the Medal of Honor in 2015

20. Sarah Breedlove (a.k.a. Madam C.J. Walker) // The First Black Woman Millionaire

Born to formerly enslaved parents, orphaned at the age of 6, married at 14, and widowed by 20, Sarah Breedlove had no obvious avenues to success. With her 2-year-old in tow, she worked as a laundress and took classes at night school.

Then, Breedlove developed the “Walker system” (named after her soon-to-be second husband, Charles J. Walker), an approach to Black hair care inspired by her own scalp disorder. What began as selling homemade products directly to other Black women soon grew into a massive business.

In 1908, she opened a beauty school and a factory for her products, and her success propelled her to become (likely) the first self-made woman millionaire . In New York, she hosted many members of the Harlem Renaissance in her home and directed much of her fortune back toward organizations including the NAACP, Tuskegee Institute, and various educational charities.

• SOCIAL MEDIA

The Best of Humanity: Celebrating Positive Contributions by Unsung Heroes

Find below some sample stories celebrating unsung heroes working to effect positive change in their homes, community, or in the world. 

Mikaila Ulmer: The Young Bee Ambassador

Kiara Nirghin: Young and Innovative

Mae Jemison

Sonia Smith-Kang: Mixed Up Clothing

Dominique Dawes

Harry N. Frenchak

Jackie Robinson

Kitty Richardson

Demi Lovato

Elissa Montanti: Spreading Global Compassion

Middle school essays.

Paco, My Dyslexic Hero

Maria Tallchief

Gabby Douglas

Kobe Bryant

To find some writing and interviewing tips click here., to submit your essay click on the image below: .

Organizer created on 8/22/2023 9:15:28 AM by Abigail Richardson

Last edited 8/22/2023 1:53:10 PM by Abigail Richardson

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Unification Principle of Heroism

Heroes always take actions that unite us and make us whole.

Posted May 14, 2020 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

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For years, heroism has been defined by researchers as exceptional prosocial behavior that is done voluntarily, carries significant risk, involves sacrifice, and is performed without anticipation of personal gain.

The ravaging effects of COVID-19 on individuals and on societies worldwide bring into sharp relief what “exceptional prosocial behavior” really means.

I argue here that heroism’s primary aim is to unify people. The dictionary’s definition of “unify” is to take actions that make people united and whole .

First, to unify is to unite people. Early in the COVID-19 crisis, ER nurse Allison Swendsen took a moving photo of an elderly man holding a sign at a window, thanking healthcare workers for saving his wife.

These heroes allowed this woman to reunite with her husband. Heroism always involves bringing people together.

Second, to unify is to promote wholeness, the mark of health and well-being. We can see that all heroic actions during this COVID-19 pandemic are aimed at reducing suffering and promoting the health and well-being of individuals and society. Heroes strive to promote the wholeness of all people, not just some of them. Heroism is all-inclusive.

A simple rule of thumb for distinguishing between heroes and villains: Heroes tend to be unifiers, whereas villains tend to be dividers.

Villains throughout history have made it their goal to divide human beings, with their divisions inflicting terrible human suffering and death. Genocidal leaders from Adolf Hitler to Pol Pot made it their aim to promote the well-being of one group of people at the expense of another. Dividing the world between “us” and “them” isn’t always villainous, but when doing so exacts intense suffering on members of the out-group, then such dividers are villains.

Heroes, in contrast, adopt a more “non-dual” view of the world . They see humanity as one and value the well-being of all people regardless of nationality, race, gender , age, or sexuality . Because they strive for social unity, heroes aim to eliminate disparities in health and well-being; not just disparities between group categories but also disparities among individuals within categories, too.

The unification principle of heroism operates at the levels of both large collectives and single individuals. At the group level, heroes unify people by leading civil rights movements, for example. The goal of most social movements is to reduce suffering in disadvantaged groups by creating a more equal and united society. Our cultural heroes have always made it their primary aim to unify the world. Heroic legends such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malala Yousafzai, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and Nelson Mandela all devoted their life’s work to bring people of different colors, genders, ethnicities, and geographic regions together.

Unification operating at the individual level occurs when a hero saves a person from harm. If a hero rescues someone from a burning building, the hero has allowed for the reunification of the person with their family. Whether the goal is large-scale (e.g., ending apartheid) or small-scale (e.g., saving someone from drowning), the hero is striving to achieve unity, wholeness, and well-being, either within a society, a family, or an individual.

COVID-19 Amplifies the Need for Heroic Unification

Every crisis produces heroes who illustrate the unification principle of heroism. Perhaps more than any single event in recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the heroic imperative to unify people. Everyday unsung heroes, such as healthcare workers and first responders, strive to reunite a saved individual with their loved ones. Heroism is always about social unification.

All crises and disasters tend to engender suffering by widening already existing health disparities between people. Consider what any tsunami, earthquake, or major act of terrorism does to people caught in its swath. The physical, emotional, and financial suffering that existed before a major crisis becomes magnified during and after it.

COVID-19 reminds us that the “exceptional prosocial behavior” at the heart of heroism is aimed at reducing existing disparities in well-being, easing the suffering of one segment of society, unifying humanity by promoting the welfare of everyone.

The coronavirus has been especially adept at preying on disparities. People of color have been more adversely affected by COVID-19 compared to Euro-Americans. African-Americans, for example, are less able to take the precaution of staying at home because they are less likely to have jobs that allow them to telecommute. In addition, people of color are more likely to live in crowded housing units that make social distancing difficult.

COVID-19 has also magnified disparities in income, with high-income earners being more likely to maintain their employment during the crisis compared to low-income workers. Growing disparities in health and in wealth are, at this moment, inflicting tremendous suffering.

The heroes attempting to resolve the current pandemic crisis are working, either directly or indirectly, to achieve the heroic imperative of wholeness and unification across race and class. Reducing health and income disparities is the heroic goal of medical scientists searching for a cure, and should be the heroic goal of our political leaders faced with the task of rebuilding and reunifying society.

Our most iconic cultural heroes have long argued for the imperative of human unification. The famed poet Maya Angelou said that a hero “is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people." Martin Luther King, Jr., said: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” And from J. K. Rowling: “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

The most fundamental goal of heroic action is to unify people. Research on the attributes of a hero places wisdom near the center of heroic consciousness. True heroic wisdom resides in knowing how best to implement unification in a highly charged, politically polarized world.

Our heroic imperative is to resist our baser instincts to label and categorize, and to embrace ways of thinking and behaving that bring people together. Pragmatic strategies for creating heroic unification include hero training programs and practices that promote heroic mindsets . This is the heroic work we desperately need in the age of COVID-19 and beyond.

The full version of this post can be found here .

Allison, S. T. (2019). Heroic consciousness. Heroism Science , 4, 1-43

Allison, S. T. & Goethals, G. R. (2020). The heroic leadership imperative: How leaders inspire and mobilize change . West Yorkshire: Emerald.

Campbell, J. (1949). The hero with a thousand faces . New York: New World Library.

Campbell, J. (1988). The power of myth . Norwell, MA: Anchor Press.

Efthimiou, O., Allison, S. T., & Franco, Z. E. (Eds.) (2018). Heroism and wellbeing in the 21st Century: Applied and emerging perspectives . New York: Routledge.

Franco, Z., & Zimbardo, P. (2006). The banality of heroism. Greater Good . Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_banality_of_heroism

Goethals, G. R., & Allison, S. T. (2019). The romance of heroism and heroic leadership: Ambiguity, attribution, and apotheosis . West Yorkshire: Emerald.

Harari, Y. N. (2018). 21 lessons for the 21st century. New York: Spiegel & Grau

Kohen, A., Langdon, M., & Riches, B. R. (2017). The making of a hero: Cultivating empathy, altruism, and heroic imagination. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 59 , 617-633.

Svoboda, E. (2019). The life heroic: How to unleash your most amazing self. San Francisco: Zest Books.

Zimbardo, P. G. (2011). What makes a hero? Greater Good . Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_makes_a_hero

Scott T. Allison is Professor of Psychology at the University of Richmond and is author of Heroes and Heroic Leadership .

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Paragraph on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

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This paragraph honoring unsung heroes of the independence movement with a tone of deep respect. These brave individuals, often overlooked, made immense sacrifices for India’s freedom. Their relentless efforts and courage played crucial roles in achieving independence, reminding us of the collective struggle and dedication required for freedom.

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Short Paragraph on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are more than historical figures; they are symbols of courage and sacrifice. Their relentless efforts and unwavering dedication helped secure independence. Remembering these brave souls inspires gratitude and deepens our appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Medium Paragraph on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are remarkable individuals whose contributions often go unnoticed. Their acts of bravery and sacrifice were pivotal in securing independence. These heroes, from various backgrounds and regions, demonstrated unwavering commitment to the cause, often at great personal risk. Their stories of courage and resilience serve as a powerful reminder of the price of freedom and the strength of collective action. Honoring these unsung heroes not only preserves their legacy but also instills a deeper appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Their sacrifices continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of fighting for justice and equality.

Long Paragraph on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle represent the unheralded strength and determination that fueled the quest for independence. These individuals, often overshadowed by more prominent figures, made significant contributions through their acts of courage and sacrifice. From grassroots activists to local leaders, their relentless efforts and personal risks were crucial in challenging colonial oppression. These heroes came from diverse backgrounds and regions, unified by a common goal of freedom. Their stories, though less celebrated, are a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of resistance. Remembering and honoring these unsung heroes not only preserves their legacy but also provides a fuller understanding of the freedom struggle. Their sacrifices remind us of the true cost of liberty and the importance of remaining vigilant in the pursuit of justice and equality. These brave souls continue to inspire, teaching us the value of resilience and the impact of individual contributions to a larger cause.

Tone-wise Paragraph Examples on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

Formal tone.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are integral to the historical narrative of independence. Their contributions, often overshadowed by more prominent figures, were crucial in the fight against colonial rule. These individuals demonstrated extraordinary courage and sacrifice, embodying the spirit of resistance and collective action. Honoring their legacy is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the freedom struggle and the enduring values of justice and equality.

Informal Tone

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are truly amazing! These brave individuals, often overlooked, played crucial roles in securing independence. They showed incredible courage and dedication, often at great personal risk. Remembering their efforts helps us appreciate the freedoms we have today and inspires us to stand up for what’s right.

Persuasive Tone

Consider the profound impact of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle. Their courageous acts and sacrifices were pivotal in achieving independence. Honoring these individuals ensures their legacy is preserved and deepens our appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Let us recognize and celebrate these heroes, whose stories inspire and remind us of the importance of justice and equality.

Reflective Tone

Reflecting on the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle, we realize the immense courage and sacrifice that fueled the quest for independence. These individuals, often overlooked, played vital roles in challenging oppression. Their stories of resilience and dedication remind us of the true cost of freedom and the enduring spirit of resistance.

Inspirational Tone

Embrace the legacy of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle. Their courage and sacrifice were instrumental in securing independence. Let their stories inspire you to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy and motivate you to stand up for justice and equality. These heroes teach us the power of resilience and the impact of individual contributions to a greater cause.

Optimistic Tone

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle offer endless inspiration and hope. Their courageous acts and sacrifices played crucial roles in achieving independence. Celebrating these heroes helps us appreciate our freedoms and fosters a sense of gratitude and responsibility. With each story, we find new reasons to be hopeful and inspired by their legacy.

Urgent Tone

Now is the time to recognize the significant contributions of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle. These individuals made immense sacrifices for our independence. Don’t let their efforts be forgotten! Honoring their legacy ensures their stories inspire future generations and remind us of the importance of justice and equality. Act now to celebrate these brave souls.

Word Count-wise Paragraph Examples on Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are symbols of courage and sacrifice. Their relentless efforts secured independence, often at great personal risk. Remembering these brave souls inspires gratitude and deepens our appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today. Their legacy teaches us the true value of resilience and justice.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are remarkable individuals whose contributions often go unnoticed. Their acts of bravery and sacrifice were pivotal in securing independence. These heroes, from various backgrounds, demonstrated unwavering commitment to the cause, often at great personal risk. Honoring these unsung heroes preserves their legacy and instills a deeper appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today, inspiring us to fight for justice and equality.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle represent the unheralded strength and determination that fueled the quest for independence. These individuals, often overshadowed by more prominent figures, made significant contributions through their acts of courage and sacrifice. From grassroots activists to local leaders, their relentless efforts were crucial in challenging colonial oppression. Remembering and honoring these unsung heroes not only preserves their legacy but also provides a fuller understanding of the freedom struggle. Their sacrifices remind us of the true cost of liberty and the importance of remaining vigilant in the pursuit of justice and equality.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle represent the unheralded strength and determination that fueled the quest for independence. These individuals, often overshadowed by more prominent figures, made significant contributions through their acts of courage and sacrifice. From grassroots activists to local leaders, their relentless efforts and personal risks were crucial in challenging colonial oppression. These heroes came from diverse backgrounds and regions, unified by a common goal of freedom. Remembering and honoring these unsung heroes not only preserves their legacy but also provides a fuller understanding of the freedom struggle. Their sacrifices remind us of the true cost of liberty and the importance of remaining vigilant in the pursuit of justice and equality. These brave souls continue to inspire us today.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are the uncelebrated pillars of India’s journey to independence. These individuals, often eclipsed by more prominent figures, displayed immense courage and resilience. Their contributions, from organizing grassroots movements to enduring personal sacrifices, were instrumental in challenging colonial rule. These heroes came from diverse backgrounds, unified by the common goal of freedom. Their stories, though less celebrated, reflect the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of resistance. Honoring these unsung heroes is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the freedom struggle and the values of justice and equality they fought for. Their sacrifices serve as a powerful reminder of the true cost of liberty and the importance of vigilance in the ongoing pursuit of justice. These brave souls continue to inspire, teaching us the value of resilience, courage, and the impact of individual contributions to a greater cause.

The unsung heroes of the freedom struggle are the uncelebrated champions of India’s quest for independence. These individuals, often overshadowed by more prominent figures, demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience. Their contributions, from organizing grassroots movements to enduring personal sacrifices, were pivotal in challenging colonial rule and securing freedom. These heroes came from diverse backgrounds and regions, unified by a common goal of liberation. Their stories, though less celebrated, reflect the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of resistance. Honoring these unsung heroes is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the freedom struggle and the values of justice and equality they fought for. Their sacrifices serve as a powerful reminder of the true cost of liberty and the importance of vigilance in the ongoing pursuit of justice. These brave souls continue to inspire, teaching us the value of resilience, courage, and the impact of individual contributions to a greater cause. Remembering and celebrating these unsung heroes not only preserves their legacy but also provides a fuller understanding of the freedom struggle. Their dedication and sacrifice remain a source of inspiration, reminding us of the importance of fighting for justice and equality in our own lives.

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Summary of “Unsung Heroes”

In his article Unsung Heroes, Howard Zinn argues that the public should recognize and honor forgotten heroes instead of national idols like Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. He believes that national heroes are often presented in an oversimplified manner, and their undesirable qualities are overlooked. Zinn suggests replacing these flawed figures with more honorable individuals like John Ross, Mark Twain, Emma Goldman, and Helen Keller. He argues that we need to honor those who embody the values of peace, justice, and freedom of thought. The author provides many examples of unsung heroes who deserve recognition. Zinn believes that it is crucial to learn from the past and remember those who fought and sacrificed for our country’s future. I agree with Zinn’s argument that it is necessary to honor those who have done so much for our country and that we need to learn from the past to avoid making the same mistakes.

Summary of “Unsung Heroes. ” In the article “Unsung Heroes” published in June 2000 issue of The Progressive, Howard Zinn argues that people must recognize unsung heroes and replace many national idols such as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt with more honorable people such as John Ross, Mark Twain, Emma Goldman, and Helen Keller. According to Mr. Zinn, historical figures, which are seen as national idols in America today, are presented to the public opinion in over-simplified form without inconvenient details. Mr.

Zinn declassifies the essence of our national heroes and compares their characteristics with those whose names are unknown in our society. Howard Zinn attempts to convince us that we have to reconsider our national heroes and honor those Americans who embody the values of peace, justice, and freedom of thought. I agree with Howard Zinn’s argument that it`s necessary to recognize the unremembered heroes of the past because in my opinion, people who have done so much for our country, who sacrificed their lives for the safe future of the United States deserve to be honored and remembered.

Author provided a lot of examples of people who deserve to be replaced with our national idols, and here is one of them. Howard Zinn states, “Why not replace Andrew Jackson as national icon with John Ross, a Cherokee chief who resisted to dispossession of his people…” In other words, Zinn tries to open our eyes and to show that John Ross was a much better man deserved more than slave-owner and killer of Indians Andrew Jackson.

I think that Mr. Zinn selected a very good example because it tells us that if we love our country and want to teach our children how to avoid same mistakes, we must learn from the past, remember heroes who fought and died for our future, and never forget our history. Work Cited Zinn, Howard. “Unsung Heroes. ” The Progressive. June 2000. Print.

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The Unsung Hero Commercial Analysis Essay

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The concept of this “Unsung hero” commercial appears quite clear during the first ten seconds of the video. However, it is unclear what is advertised – and it remains unclear until the end. One could say that it is an advertisement for compassion, understanding, and a short film towards the promotion of good deeds – since there are fewer and fewer of them in the world. Despite the concept and the scenario being fairly simple, the emotional response it triggers in the audience is extraordinary.

The protagonist is following his daily routine – but in the meantime is donating to the poor, feeding homeless dogs, and helping the elderly and the townspeople. For doing that, as it seems in the first part of the video, the main hero receives nothing but judgment and disapproval from his fellow citizens. Even the narrator proves the viewers’ thoughts by stating that “he gets nothing” (ThaiLifeChannel, 1:18). It seems that everyone around him is taking his help for granted, but he does not notice. Closer to the apex of this simple story, the reason for his obsession with doing good is revealed: he sees happiness through his own eyes and experiences true joy when helping others.

It is a feeling the modern society urges its members – every one – to forget. Making people obsessed with benefits for their own sake, acquirement of personal material wealth, careerism, and various other strategies are contributing immensely to the extinction of people like him. His actions, and the philosophy of renunciation, his compassion for every live creature, are the antidote to the egocentrism of the modern world. The “unsung hero” finds relief, perhaps even reaches enlightenment, in making the world a better, safer, and more kind place. Obviously, one can argue that one person’s deeds are just a drop in the ocean, but they cannot deny that they are capable of inspiring anyone. The hero’s actions feel so familiar, yet so distant and forgotten. If only one would ask themselves: “When was the last time that I have done a similar good deed?” – and alter the reality for the better, it would result in a noticeable change.

ThaiLifeChannel, “ Unsung Hero ”. (2014). YouTube , Web.

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5 examples of frontline unsung heroes.

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Difficult times like we’re all facing now can sometimes bring out the worst in people, but they can bring out the best in others. And then there is another type of person, who tries to do the right thing every day no matter the circumstances. We call these people “heroes.”

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a hero is “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” In our current COVID-19 world, we see examples every day of true frontline heroes. These people are out, serving others, and doing their jobs to keep others safe and healthy.

Here are five examples of unsung frontline heroes during the pandemic.

1) Healthcare and First Responders

Healthcare workers and first responders are truly on the front lines of the pandemic, selflessly caring for others. These include police, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and doctors, especially healthcare workers in emergency room and ICU environments. In addition, those who work in environments that serve high-risk individuals and groups are putting their own lives on the line to keep others safe. These include those working in assisted living, independent living, memory care and hospice, plus all those who offer home healthcare or in-home assistance to seniors.

2) Food and Grocery Workers

Everyone needs to eat, and those in food service are hard at work making sure no one goes hungry during this time, even as they risk exposure to the virus. This includes essential workers in the food supply chain like trucking and transportation workers and food processing workers. In addition, grocery store workers, to-go and delivery workers for restaurants and more are heroes right now.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of september 2023, 3) essential services.

Even more heroes can be found in the services designated essential during COVID-19 lockdowns. These include retail and healthcare services like pharmacies, automotive care, convenience stores and gas stations. Towing companies and highway safety teams have also been helping people during this time.

4) All Volunteers

So many people are following their hearts to help others even though it means putting themselves at risk of the virus. This includes National Guard volunteers, plus all those working with food banks, food pantries, homeless shelters and more.

5) Sanitation Workers

Even in the best of times, those who work on cleaning, janitorial or sanitation teams are often unseen and underappreciated. During the pandemic, these people have been working overtime to keep buildings, public spaces, public transportation and more clean, safe and sanitized.

We should all be grateful for the ongoing, heroic work of these individuals. Their commitment to caring for others is truly seeing the world through this crisis.

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Unsung Heroes of India’s freedom struggle

Introduction.

In today's fast-moving world and tough competitive day-to-day life, the youth hardly find time for remembrance of our rich heritage and past. This becomes most crucial whilst the nation celebrates Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (commemoration of 75 years of Indian Independence). The fight against colonial rule in India constitutes a unique narrative, one which is not marred by violence. Rather a narrative that is full of variegated stories of valor, bravery, Satyagraha, dedication, and sacrifice across the length and breadth of the subcontinent. These stories compose the rich Indian cultural heritage and traditions. Thus, the unsung heroes need not necessarily define the lesser-known freedom fighters. They may, at times, be the leaders whose ideals delineate the Indian value system.

The Section on Unsung Heroes is an attempt to recall and remember forgotten heroes of our freedom struggle, many of whom might be renowned yet unknown to the new generation. The aim of recreating and bringing forth stories, which lay as faded memories of the past, shall serve as a medium of inspiration and encouragement for the coming generations. India 2.0 is not just about fuelling the spirit of India in any one particular paradigm of growth. It encompasses all spheres of life, most of all by enriching our hearts and souls. The spirit of India is incomplete whilst we take our unsung heroes along this journey of growth and development. Their ethos and principles ought to be recalled and respected.

Ministry of Culture and Amar Chitra Katha special collaboration for Amrit Mahotsav

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Sangram Singh

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Sham Nath Sutia

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Lakhimpur Assam

Rupram Barua

Rongnath Chaleng

Rampati Rojkhowa

Ratenswar Roy

Ratan Kachari

Ram Chanan Goala

Rajendra Prasad Basumatari

Purnada Devi

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Nareshwar Peon

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What Makes a Hero: Analysis of Fictional and Real-life Heroes

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Fredriksen, John C. “John Paul II.” Biographical Dictionary of Modern World Leaders: 1992–Present, Facts On File, 2003. History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=14368&itemid=WE53&articleId=254520.“John Paul II.” Modern World [...]

The concept of heroism transcends cultures and time periods, embodying the qualities that inspire admiration and reverence. Heroism is a multifaceted and profound aspect of human experience, deeply rooted in our collective [...]

Heroic epics from different cultures often share striking similarities despite originating from vastly different contexts. Two such timeless figures are Beowulf from the Old English epic "Beowulf" and Rama from the ancient [...]

Child care workers are often the unsung heroes in the intricate web of our societal structure. They play an integral role in the development and growth of children, providing not only basic care but also emotional support, [...]

The wealthiest man in the world, in his time, was Andrew Carnegie. His story of success was truly one of rags to riches. Andrew Carnegie grew up in Dunfermline, Scotland and moved along with his family to the United States in [...]

The spirit of a warrior is a spirit that transcends the trials and tribulations of life as we see it or as it occurs to us. The warrior spirit chooses and tries not to operate from default. Warrior spirit makes a path where [...]

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