Untold Stories:
Forgotten Voices
in History
Gryffindor

Story by: Allen Jean-Philippe

Ethel Waters
Actress

When Ethel was a child her favorite thing to do was sing. She loved singing so much that it became her career.

Ethel Waters was born on October 31, 1869, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her family was very poor and she moved around a lot as a child, so she never really had friends and she felt her family didn't pay any attention to her. This was very hard for Ethel she often felt alone and unheard.

When Ethel was 13 she started singing in public places and worked in a hotel. When she finally turned 17 she started going by the name “ Sweet Mama Stringbean.”

That same year her family forced her to marry an older man. He was not always nice to her and often treated her unkindly, but this did not break her spirit. She continued to sing and act at nightclubs and later got a divorce and began acting in bigger shows. In 1950 Ethel got to star in her own show “Beulah.” She was the first African American to ever star in their own show. Beulah released a new episode every Tuesday night at 7:30 for 3 seasons.

Later that year she became the first ever African American women to win a Emmy. This was a big success and helped her live happily for the rest of her life. Ethel Waters passed away on September 1, 1977 at 80 years old from heart failure. She lived a long successful life and influenced thousands across the world.

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Ani

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“You think there is hope and I believe there is hope and now everyone needs to think about what we are doing, governments needs to change, companies need to change."
-Swampy

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Story by Ani G.M

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Daniel "Swampy" Hooper
Environmental Activist

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In 1973 in the UK, Daniel Hooper was born and had a pretty average childhood. The real spice in his story comes in his early adulthood, when he discovered that a highway was going to be built right through a forest, which could damage the environment.

So, in protest, David gathered a bunch of his friends and dug several holes and tunnels on construction grounds in order to block off the construction workers. He and his friends stayed in there for several weeks before eventually, one by one, they were all taken out of the tunnels, with Daniel being the very last.

Just when it seemed that all his work had been for nothing, more and more people heard about his story, and many of them realized just how much these forests meant to people and that maybe they shouldn’t be recklessly destroyed like that. He gained more and more popularity among these activists and eventually gained the status of an activist hero. His first attempt may not have been successful, but he went on to lead more successful environmental protests and is currently living a peaceful life with his wife and kids.

“There is only one thing worse than coming home from the lab to a sink full of dirty dishes, and that is not going to the lab at all!”

—Chien-Shiung Wu

Story by: Brady Babineau

Once there was a girl that loved science and mathematics. At home Chien's parents encouraged her to follow her dreams.

She was born in Liuhe, Jiangsu Province, China. She went to one of the first schools that allowed girls to attend. This school was founded by her father who was an engineer. Shortly after Chien graduated high school, she moved to the U.S to go to college in California.

After Chien graduated from college and got her Ph.D she became a professor at Princeton University. After working as a professor for a few years she was asked to join a government project to help create and build the first very powerful weapons for the United States. Chien went on to do many more research projects in her career. When she was nominated or looked at for a prize in science, she was overlooked because she was a woman. She spoke out and worked harder to receive the recognition she deserved.

She finally got the attention of every scientist from working hard and she won many awards in her career as a scientist and was the first woman to win many of the awards themselves. She wrote a book about her research that is still used today by scientists worldwide. Chien even had her own experiment the Wu experiment named after her.

She is known as a trailblazer in the scientific world and an inspirational role model for young girls who want to pursue science.

Chien-Shiung Wu
Nuclear Physicist

Once there was a girl that loved science and mathematics. At home Chien's parents encouraged her to follow her dreams.

She was born in Liuhe, Jiangsu Province, China. She went to one of the first schools that allowed girls to attend. This school was founded by her father who was an engineer. Shortly after Chien graduated high school, she moved to the U.S to go to college in California.

After Chien graduated from college and got her Ph.D she became a professor at Princeton University. After working as a professor for a few years she was asked to join a government project to help create and build the first very powerful weapons for the United States. Chien went on to do many more research projects in her career. When she was nominated or looked at for a prize in science, she was overlooked because she was a woman. She spoke out and worked harder to receive the recognition she deserved.

She finally got the attention of every scientist from working hard and she won many awards in her career as a scientist and was the first woman to win many of the awards themselves. She wrote a book about her research that is still used today by scientists worldwide. Chien even had her own experiment the Wu experiment named after her.

She is known as a trailblazer in the scientific world and an inspirational role model for young girls who want to pursue science.

"I want to do a movie that makes you laugh, but also makes you feel something. It touches your heart."
Eugenio Derbez

Story by Daniela M.

Once when Eugenio Derbez was little he hid from his mom at his house and when his mom tried to find him, she couldn’t find him anywhere which made her panic. She decided to call her mom, his uncles, and the police. Everyone arrived and about half an hour, he saw his aunt and he let her know where he was. This was the first time Eugenio realized he loved being dramatic.

Eugenio Derbez was born in Mexico on September 2, 1961. As a child, he loved to spend time with his family, especially with his dog. When he was little he loved to go ride around in a Cadillac with his mom, dad, sister, and dog. They always went for long rides every weekend. 

Eugenio changed people’s life by showing that if we dream big and we work hard to accomplish our dreams we can get really far. He worked really hard for his dream which was being an actor and now he’s a well-known actor. He has been in 31 movies.

Eugenio Derbez accomplished his dream job, and even though it wasn't easy for him he knew he had to work harder. It was hard for him to accomplish this goal because he had to learn a lot of English and that wasn’t his first language. It's possible to accomplish your goals when you really love what your dream is about. Eugenio reminds us that work doesn’t have to feel like work when you’re having fun. 

Eugenio Derbez
Actor

Once when Eugenio Derbez was little he hid from his mom at his house and when his mom tried to find him, she couldn’t find him anywhere which made her panic. She decided to call her mom, his uncles, and the police. Everyone arrived and about half an hour, he saw his aunt and he let her know where he was. This was the first time Eugenio realized he loved being dramatic.

Eugenio Derbez was born in Mexico on September 2, 1961. As a child, he loved to spend time with his family, especially with his dog. When he was little he loved to go ride around in a Cadillac with his mom, dad, sister, and dog. They always went for long rides every weekend. 

Eugenio changed people’s life by showing that if we dream big and we work hard to accomplish our dreams we can get really far. He worked really hard for his dream which was being an actor and now he’s a well-known actor. He has been in 31 movies.

Eugenio Derbez accomplished his dream job, and even though it wasn't easy for him he knew he had to work harder. It was hard for him to accomplish this goal because he had to learn a lot of English and that wasn’t his first language. It's possible to accomplish your goals when you really love what your dream is about. Eugenio reminds us that work doesn’t have to feel like work when you’re having fun. 

Story by Evan Kniolek

Shirley never gave up her dream on making the world a better place. 

Shirley was born in Brooklyn on November 30 and grew up in a house with 2 sisters. In her teen years, she wanted to do something to change the world. Shirley was always looking for a way to make an impact and she found that path when she ran for President of the United States. 

I 1968 she became the first black woman elected to congress. And in 1972 became the first African American candidate for a major party's presidential nomination, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's nomination.

Even though she lost the election, she didn't give up her seat in Congress or her work for the people. She was able to help stop the Vietnam War which was a huge impact all of her hard work paid off and she was able to fulfill her dream I want people to remember that she never gave up and what she did for the world and to follow in her footsteps.