October 02

Martha Brookes Hutcheson was among the first professional female landscape architects in the United States. She designed distinctive gardens that blended formal plantings with native landscapes. Hutcheson authored influential texts, including "The Spirit of the Garden," sharing her horticultural expertise. Her work at estates and public spaces elevated the art of garden design in the early 20th century. She also lectured and taught, paving the way for women in the fields of architecture and landscape architecture.

Pattie Ruffner Jacobs (1875–1935) was a leading American suffragist and social reformer dedicated to advancing women's rights. She founded the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association in 1912 and served as its president, organizing campaigns and lobbying legislators for enfranchisement. Her charismatic leadership helped secure Alabama's ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Beyond suffrage, Jacobs championed child welfare, public health initiatives, and educational reforms. Her legacy endures in the progress of women's civic participation in the American South.

Richard Scott, Baron Scott of Foscote, built a distinguished legal career culminating in his appointment as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 1992. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, he served as a High Court judge, a Lord Justice of Appeal, and later as Master of the Rolls. As a Law Lord, he presided over landmark cases affecting administrative law and civil justice. He contributed to legal scholarship through lectures and writings on the judiciary's role in democratic societies. Upon retirement, he continued to advise on constitutional matters and chaired inquiries, including the Scott Inquiry into arms exports. His work has had a lasting impact on British legal practice and governance.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, Cochran graduated from UCLA and Loyola Law School. He began his career as a county prosecutor before establishing a private practice focused on civil rights and criminal defense cases. Known for his charismatic courtroom presence, he earned a reputation taking on police misconduct and wrongful conviction cases. Cochran gained international fame leading the defense team for O. J. Simpson in 1995, coining the phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." Over his career, he represented high-profile clients including Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, and Tupac Shakur's family. He passed away in 2005, leaving a lasting impact on American legal history.

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Reed began his career as a stage director before turning to journalism. He became a prominent voice at newspapers and magazines, including the New York Observer and National Review. Reed is known for his sharp wit, colorful language, and willingness to challenge Hollywood conventions. Over five decades, he reviewed thousands of films, interviewing iconic actors and directors. In addition to criticism, he authored memoirs and books on cinema and celebrity culture. Reed's outspoken style has made him one of America's most recognizable and influential film critics.

Anna Ford is a British journalist and broadcaster who became one of the first female newsreaders on British national television when she joined ITV's News at Ten in 1975. She later moved to the BBC, presenting the Nine O'Clock News and Panorama. Known for her professionalism and clear delivery, Ford has covered major events such as the Falklands War and the end of the Cold War. She also served as a vice-president of Carleton University in Canada and has been honored for her contributions to journalism and broadcasting.

Joe Sacco (born October 2, 1960) is a Maltese-American journalist and cartoonist renowned for pioneering the field of graphic journalism. His immersive works, including 'Palestine' and 'Safe Area Gorazde', combine detailed reportage with evocative illustrations to document life in conflict zones. Sacco's narrative style blends personal observation, interviews, and historical context, earning critical praise and a MacArthur Fellowship. He has influenced the evolution of comics as a medium for serious journalism and continues to publish on global human rights issues.

Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler in 2012, a digital news site in the Philippines focusing on corruption and human rights issues. She has received numerous international honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Ressa has faced legal challenges and arrests for her investigative journalism and advocacy for free speech. Her work has drawn global attention to threats against democratic institutions and media independence. Ressa frequently speaks at universities and international forums on media ethics and the digital age.