Oops! We had to remove the hero profile you’re looking for because it will soon appear in our new book Heroic Leadership: An Influence Taxonomy of 100 Exceptional Individuals, to be published by Routledge in 2013.
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In the mean time, please accept our apologies. Here is more information about our new book.
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— Scott Allison and George Goethals
She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize the year Al Gore won it. Her story was also fictionalized in a TV movie starring Anna Paquin called, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
She is one of the first heroes I discovered when starting the Hero Construction Company. A prime example of real heroism.
I was amazed by Irene Sendler when I read about her in the Heroes book; amazed by her heroism, endurance and humility. Imagine someone like this feeling guilty about not doing more. And it’s quite interesting that her story was largely unknown for a half century– how many more heroes were there throughout history that we know nothing of?
really nice post thanks 🙂
The first time I heard about Irene Sendler was in your Heroes book. I could not believe that it has taken me so long to hear about such a heroic, kindhearted woman. It amazes me how we consider people like Tiger Woods and Lady Gaga our heroes, how individuals, like Irene Sendler continue to go unnoticed, despite the fact that she did something ten times greater than anything Woods and Gaga have ever done. Irene Sendler was an extraordinary woman and I can only hope that more people become familiar with her story because she deserves to be recognize as an unforgettable hero.
It amazes me that people have the capacity to do something so courageous and selfless for people that they have never met. Although Sendler herself would not agree, what she did for those children and those families was an incredibly heroic feat and it absolutely kills me that Al Gore won the Nobel Peace prize over her! She is an inspiration and proof that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
The Holocaust was a time of peril in Europe, a dark and dangerous time in the countries occupied by the Nazis. While evil spread rampantly, the need for heroes was great. There was an immense amount of danger in doing the right thing in her situation, but Irena Sendler really stepped up to the plate and not only saved many lives, but also left an inspiring, heroic legacy to boot.
Irena Sendler portrayed great courage in her actions during the Holocaust and WWII. Knowing full well what the consequences would be if she were caught, Sendler refused to go against her morals and just let innocent children get sent off to internment camps. She refused to back down in a difficult situation when many other people were turning their heads and running for safety, only worrying about themselves. Irena Sendler’s story is truly inspirational and will forever be deemed heroic in the eyes of many.
I am shocked and disappointed that I had never heard of Irena Sendler prior to my Heroes and Villains class. My grandmother is a Holocaust survivor, and I feel very connected to Sendler for this reason. Not only did she help thousands of children, but she also put her life on the line for the betterment of society.