Nominated by: Jennifer M. Miles
After Scarlett Lewis’ six-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was murdered in his classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012, Scarlett chose to forgive, and chose to become part of the solution. Scarlett is the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. The movement is based on the understanding that when children are taught to give and receive love, they won’t cause harm and they will help create a peaceful society. The Choose Love Enrichment Program is a pre-K through 12th grade, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) classroom program that teaches children how to choose love. For her work, Scarlett has received the International Forgiveness Award, the Live Your Legacy Award, and the Common Ground Award.