Shannon Day

‘The Lovers & Fighters of America’ is a monthly column here at Ravishly featuring behind-the-scenes stories of inspirational people taking a stance against hate. Today, Ravishly features Kristie Maldonado and her son, Joe.

Founded in April of 2016, by Georgetown University student Febin Bellamy, Unsung Heroes is a growing student-lead movement. With the use of social media, and a strong focus on human connection, Unsung Heroes aims to bring recognition and appreciation to behind-the-scenes employees (like the janitors, bus drivers, and kitchen staff) who work around the clock to make the university campus a safe, healthy, and fully functional environment for students to study and socialize.

The Garment Project aims to support women in eating disorder recovery by providing them with size-less clothing styled to their tastes and needs.

Not only are Alex Radelich and Dalton Lemert taking to the road with their mission to change the world one act of kindness at a time, but they are encouraging others to do the same, and suggest you lead your own Explore Kindness Trips.

Meet 19-year-old Nadya Okamoto, a second year Harvard University Social Studies major with a mission. PERIOD, Inc. is her movement!

The following day, instead of adhering to the dress code, Molly decided to take a stand against it. She wore another sleeveless top to school and this time she wrote a powerful message on her arm: #IAmNotADistraction. Twenty other girls at the school wore tank tops that day too to show their solidarity.

Enoteca Maria is truly a place where cultures are celebrated through cuisine. And a recent project, launched by the restaurant, takes this celebration to another level by offering non-chefs an opportunity to learn from the restaurant’s nonnas.

'The Lovers & Fighters of America' is a weekly column here at Ravishly featuring behind-the-scenes stories of inspirational people taking a stance against hate. This week, we’re featuring Jaxon — a 26-year-old, Criminal Justice graduate from Massachusetts. Jaxon’s is a story of self-discovery and strength, a bright light at a time when the oppressive stance of the far-right looms — like an ominous dark cloud — over the trans community.