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.

'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 for The Lovers & Fighters of America, we’re heading north of the border to find out more about who’s behind the Pink Shirt Day movement.

“I was compelled to come out on social media because I felt it was time that I wasn’t hiding who I was. It was more so coming out to say I was in a relationship; it just happened to be with a woman this time. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me so I figured I should show her off.”

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.

When Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, Patti Ford, whose home was not damaged, felt compelled to help those affected by the storm.

The Lovers & Fighters of America' is a weekly column here at Ravishly featuring

The process is simple: for every drink purchased, customers receive a wooden token to drop into one of six jars located around the establishment. Each jar is labeled with a pro-equality organization’s name.

The Lovers & Fighters of America is a weekly column here at Ravishly featuring

In 2008, Jimenez co-founded United We Dream. As Executive Director, she has helped develop the non-profit into the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the country. With Jimenez at the helm, UWD has grown to a powerful network of 57 affiliates in 25 states, with over 300,000 members.

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.