5 Organizations That Carry On The Legacies Of Great Americans

5 Organizations Continuing the Work of Great Americans

Name	Headquarters	Honoring	Focus
Maria Mitchell Association	Nantucket, MA	Maria Mitchell	Provides scientific resources and educational programs for the community of Nantucket, including an aquarium, observatory, science center, and the historic Mitchell House
Lantos Foundation	Concord, NH	Tom Lantos	Works to preserve religious freedom, give voice to those living under brutal regimes, and hold corporations accountable for their impact on the global struggle for human rights
Jackie Robinson Foundation	New York, NY	Jackie Robinson	Offers scholarships and provides extensive mentoring and support services for students, holds an annual leadership conference, and operates the Jackie Robinson Museum
Frances Perkins Center	Damariscotta, ME	Frances Perkins	Features a free ongoing exhibit entitled "Frances Perkins: The Woman Behind the New Deal," hosts tours of the ancestral homestead, and offers internships and learning opportunities for students
Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps	Boston, MA	Robert F. Kennedy	Serves at-risk youth and families through residential treatment, community intervention, the Bright Futures Adoption Center, the Robert F. Kennedy Academy & Don Watson Academy, and other support services

The Maria Mitchell Association on Sparking a Passion for Learning

What Was the New Deal?

The New Deal was a series of programs, public works projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted between 1933 and 1936 under the leadership of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In order to stem the tide of the Great Depression, many New Deal programs addressed what are sometimes referred to as the three R's: relief for the unemployed and poor, recovery of the economy, and reform of the financial system. Some of the initiatives that came out of the New Deal were:

The Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy

In Depth

Some people inspire others so much in life that their legacy endures after they're gone. From athletes who broke barriers to politicians who fought for human rights, there are plenty of deceased figures who continue to be a force for good in the world. Here, in no particular order, are five organizations dedicated to honoring the legacies of great Americans.

First up, at #1, we have the Maria Mitchell Association. Mitchell, the first American woman to work as a professional astronomer, discovered a comet in 1847 and was Professor of Astronomy at Vassar College. As an educator, she inspired her students and advocated for women's rights. The association that bears her name provides scientific resources and educational programs for the community in her hometown of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Kids and adults alike can learn about the world around them at the natural science museum and the aquarium, both of which have native species on display. The Mitchell House takes visitors back in time to the 1800s, when Maria was doing her work on the island. Two observatories in the area are both active research facilities and venues for public programming, such as tours and lectures. The association also works to protect Nantucket's dark night sky, so astronomical research can continue. To support these and other efforts, you can donate online or by mail.

Kids and adults alike can learn about the world around them at the natural science museum and the aquarium, both of which have native species on display.

For #2 we have The Lantos Foundation. Born in Budapest in 1928, Tom Lantos was sent to a forced labor camp as a teenager. He managed to escape and joined the anti-Nazi resistance. In 1947, he came to the U.S. to study. After earning his BA and PhD, he went into politics and became the first and only Holocaust survivor to serve as a congressman. He used his position to fight for human rights around the world and in the final weeks of his life, asked that a non-profit be established to carry on this important work.

The foundation is focused on four main issues. It aims to protect people of all faiths, and is particularly dedicated to stemming the tide of anti-Semitism. It's also committed to giving voice to global citizens living under oppressive regimes. Since corporations play a large role in modern society, the foundation works to hold them accountable for their impact. Finally, the group preserves the memory of the late congressman for which it was named. You can help out by gifting stocks or cash, or by shopping with Amazon smile.

Next up, at #3, is the Jackie Robinson Foundation. When Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he broke the color barrier, clearing the way for players who followed him. Beyond the baseball diamond, he contributed to the civil rights movement, helped establish a bank that served Harlem's black community, and had a lasting cultural influence. Inspired by the athlete's leadership, skill, and courage, the organization is committed to promoting humanitarian values and providing equal opportunity for all.

Beyond the baseball diamond, he contributed to the civil rights movement, helped establish a bank that served Harlem's black community, and had a lasting cultural influence.

The JRF scholarship program addresses the financial needs of college students and provides extensive support services, including hands-on mentoring, internship and job opportunities, and year-round online and regional workshops. The Jackie Robinson Museum chronicles the baseball player's achievements against the backdrop of United States history, and serves as a catalyst for dialogue on today's social issues. To learn more about these projects and how you can get involved, you can sign up for the group's e-newsletter.

At #4, we have the Frances Perkins Center, which inspires people to address current economic and social problems in honor of the woman who was the principal architect of the New Deal. Perkins, FDR's Secretary of Labor, was the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary and is credited with formulating the policies that helped get America out of the Great Depression. She was also a leading advocate for industrial safety and workers' rights.

At the center's office in Damariscotta, Maine, visitors can see a free ongoing exhibit that highlights Perkins' accomplishments through historic photographs, text, and personal memorabilia. The group also runs tours of Perkins' ancestral homestead, a National Historic Landmark. In order to share this important history, FPC offers a five-week course to Senior Colleges around the state. If you want to contribute to these outreach efforts, you can donate to the organization's annual fund.

If you want to contribute to these outreach efforts, you can donate to the organization's annual fund.

Finally, at #5, is Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps. Dedicated to child welfare and juvenile justice, the group runs a number of programs and services that benefit at-risk youth and families. Senator Robert Kennedy was known for his strong positions on social justice, believing that society bears a responsibility to all of its members, and that lasting contributions to society are made by improving the lives of children and their families.

RFK Children's Action Corps provides residential treatment for youth who are suffering from abuse, neglect, or other issues. They also offer community-based prevention and intervention services for vulnerable young people in precarious situations. The organization's program, Bright Futures Adoption Center, works with expectant parents, adoptive parents, and children to bring families together and make sure that each child ends up in a loving, stable home. To keep these and other programs running, you can buy the group something from its wish list or donate directly.