Selflessness

Growing up in Indonesia, Farwiza Farhan developed a deep passion for the ocean, which led her to pursue a career in marine biology. However, as she delved deeper into her studies, she realized that simply working in the ocean was not enough; she needed to take action to protect it.

“I witnessed the ocean’s ecosystem deteriorating due to overfishing and climate change,” Farhan explains. “Feeling helpless, I decided to further my education in environmental management to better address these issues.”

Her commitment to environmental protection eventually brought her back to her homeland, the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia. This region is one of the last remaining habitats for endangered species such as tigers, orangutans, elephants, and the Sumatran rhinoceros. It also hosts over 300 bird species, including eight that are unique to the area.

“When I first saw the Leuser Ecosystem from the air, it was breathtaking—a vast, uninterrupted expanse of lush, diverse vegetation extending across hills and valleys. The Leuser is truly a unique and majestic landscape,” she recalls.

Her first encounter with an orangutan in the Leuser Ecosystem further deepened her connection to the area. “Watching a baby orangutan swing playfully from the branches while its mother observed us was a profoundly moving experience.”

Over time, Farhan’s experiences with the wildlife and the ecosystem fueled her determination to protect this biodiversity. She initially worked for a government agency dedicated to conservation. However, after the agency was dismantled due to political shifts, Farhan founded the HAkA Foundation.

“The mission of HAkA is to safeguard, conserve, and restore the Leuser Ecosystem while promoting sustainable economic growth for the region,” she says.

“Wild places and forests like the Leuser are incredibly valuable natural assets that provide essential life-sustaining services,” Farhan adds. “Just as blood flows through our veins, the rivers of the Leuser are crucial for our survival. Can anyone live without water?”

The HAkA Foundation has made significant strides in protecting the region. The organization has been instrumental in enforcing laws against palm oil companies that destroy forests, leading to a landmark court decision that fined one company nearly $26 million. HAkA has also successfully opposed infrastructure projects that threatened crucial habitats for Sumatran elephants and rhinos, and supported communities in developing sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, they have trained hundreds of police and government rangers, including establishing the first female ranger teams in the region.

“We have empowered local villages to create regulations for river and land protection, giving communities control over their environment,” Farhan notes.

This year, Farhan is recognized as one of Tory Burch’s Empowered Women. The grant she receives will support the Ecosystem Impact Foundation, a local organization dedicated to protecting the critically endangered leatherback turtle on the west coast of Sumatra.

“The funds will help keep rangers employed and continue their vital work in preserving the islands, endangered birds, and sea turtle habitats,” Farhan says.

To learn more about Tory Burch and Upworthy’s Empowered Women program, visit Tory Burch Empowered Women. If you know an inspiring woman like Farwiza, consider nominating her today!

Parents dread the thought of their child facing harm, and while we strive to protect them from danger, frightening incidents can still occur, leaving families deeply shaken.

A Michigan family experienced a terrifying near-abduction when their 8-year-old daughter was nearly kidnapped while playing in their backyard. The young girl was gathering mushrooms when a 17-year-old boy grabbed her, covering her mouth.

Inside the house, 13-year-old Owen Burns was playing video games when he heard his sister’s screams. While many kids might have been unsure of how to respond, Owen acted swiftly.

Noticing the commotion through the window, Owen grabbed his slingshot and a marble, taking aim at the assailant.

Incredibly, Owen managed to hit the boy in the head with the marble on his first attempt. This caused the would-be kidnapper to release the girl, who then escaped while Owen quickly reloaded his slingshot with a rock.

He successfully struck the suspect in the midsection with his second shot. Remarkably, Owen had no prior practice with the slingshot, yet both of his projectiles hit their target.

“I was skeptical at first, but when the police confirmed that he had hit him twice and made both shots, I was really impressed,” Owen’s mother, Margaret Burns, told NBC News.

A heated debate is unfolding on social media, particularly on TikTok, about a controversial topic: whether a mother would choose to save her own life or her baby’s life if faced with complications during childbirth. This discussion has sparked intense reactions, especially among women.

The debate gained momentum after Anabel Morales shared a viral video on TikTok. In the video, she addressed her husband with a heartfelt message:

“To my husband: If I’m giving birth, and the doctor says you need to pick between me or the baby. Please save me. I don’t want Ethan to grow up without a mom, & I don’t want you to have to raise two babies alone while also grieving your wife,” Morales stated.

This video has resonated with many mothers, including myself. The idea of leaving behind children to be raised by a grieving father seems unbearable to some. However, others feel the opposite, as they cannot fathom living without their child. Morales’s video has garnered 6.6 million views and over half a million likes, highlighting the depth of the debate.

One commenter shared a poignant perspective: “My mom sadly passed away because it was either me or her. But no one understands how hard it was for me and my dad. Having him raise me alone and growing up without a mom was incredibly difficult. So I would choose myself, no matter how forced I am to choose the baby. I don’t want the baby to go through what I did. It’s heartbreaking.”

This personal story adds a layer of complexity to the discussion. The U.S. has a higher pregnancy mortality rate compared to other developed countries. According to 2018 CDC data, the rate among white non-Hispanic individuals is 13.7 deaths per 100,000 births. For Indigenous and Black people, the rates are significantly higher, at 26.5 and 41.4 deaths per 100,000 births, respectively.

Another comment echoed a shift in perspective: “I used to say save the baby, not me. Now that I have a daughter, I think so differently.”

Similarly, someone else shared their struggle: “I had these feelings during my third pregnancy and felt so guilty. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way.”

Conversely, many individuals have expressed that they would choose to save their baby. While some have voiced their opinions with sensitivity, the underlying sentiment remains clear.

Ultimately, the choice between saving oneself or the baby is deeply personal. It’s a difficult topic to discuss in hopes that such a decision will never need to be made. In reality, when faced with such a choice, the situation is heartbreaking and no decision can alleviate the inevitable grief.

When Hannah Roberts, a medical student, learned that her mother had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, she made a life-changing decision.

She chose to take a year off from her medical studies to be by her mother’s side, managing the myriad of tasks and responsibilities that come with such a severe illness.

“My decision to step away from medical school for a year was driven by the need to be present with my mom and help her through this challenging time,” Roberts explained. “My days are filled with preparing meals, running errands, doing grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and coordinating nursing care. I work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything is in place.”

The role of a caregiver is not an easy one. It is a complex mix of exhaustion, fulfillment, pain, joy, fear, and reward—all intertwined in the fabric of daily life. Despite the difficulty, Roberts finds immense value in being there for her mother, striving to offer her the care and comfort she needs.

Supporting a loved one through such trying times is a profound act of compassion and humanity. Providing comfort and dignity during their final moments is a gift of immense value.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, caregiving is a significant and growing responsibility:

• Nearly 25% of caregivers in the U.S. are Millennials, aged 18–34, and this group includes both men and women equally.
• In 2013, the estimated value of family caregiving, if compensated, was around $470 billion annually.
• Approximately 40 million family caregivers assist another adult or loved one with daily activities.
• More than half (55%) of these caregivers report feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving.

Caregivers often remain unsung heroes, managing their grief and challenges while supporting their loved ones. We must offer them the support they need and recognize their selfless contributions.

A recent post on Reddit highlights a mother’s assertive defense of her cultural practices and her daughter in the face of intolerance. User Paste-Clouds-808 shared the incident on the AITA (Am I The Asshole) forum, seeking opinions on the situation.

The post garnered over 2,900 comments, with the consensus overwhelmingly supporting the mother.

The 38-year-old mother regularly prepares Asian meals for her 7-year-old daughter, Lily, and includes them in her school lunches. Growing up with a half-Japanese mother, these dishes have been a staple in her life, and her family enjoys them.

She described her lunch preparations: “Sometimes, I’ll pack leftovers from the previous night’s dinner along with a fruit or vegetable and a snack, or I’ll quickly assemble a bento box or another simple meal.”

One day, after school, the mother let Lily play at the playground for a short while before heading home. During this time, another parent, Debra, approached her and began criticizing the lunches she prepared for her daughter.

Debra said, “Your daughter’s lunches have been bothering my son, and I’d like you to pack something else.”

Confused, Lily’s mother asked, “How are they bothering him?”

Debra explained that her son found the lunches “terrible-smelling” and “disgusting” and claimed he didn’t eat most of his lunch because of it.

The mother calmly declined Debra’s request, suggesting it wasn’t her responsibility to accommodate Debra’s son’s preferences. “I understand your son doesn’t like the smell, but can’t he just sit somewhere else?” she replied.

Debra reacted angrily, saying, “Are you serious? My son shouldn’t have to deal with the disgusting food you make for your daughter!”

The situation escalated when Debra began making comments that the mother found to be vaguely racist. Frustrated, the mother firmly stood her ground.

“Listen, I get that your son might not like my daughter’s food, but he can simply sit elsewhere,” the mother said. “I’m not changing what’s in my daughter’s lunches just because you and your child don’t like Asian food. Leave me alone.”

The mother sought feedback from Reddit users about whether her use of strong language was excessive. Many felt her reaction was justified, given the context of the rude and discriminatory behavior she faced.

Johnny9k commented, “Setting a firm boundary with strong language is often effective in deterring intrusive parents from interfering in the future.” Some suggested she escalate the issue by reporting it to school officials, which the mother agreed was a good idea.

She later decided to discuss the situation with Lily’s teacher and also talk to Lily to ensure there was no ongoing racism affecting her at school.

Despite the difficulty of confronting Debra’s derogatory remarks about her cultural heritage, the Reddit community widely supported the mother’s decision to stand up for herself and her family.

This story underscores the different paths people can take when faced with intolerance. Rather than fostering understanding and acceptance, Debra chose to attack, perpetuating a cycle of prejudice rather than using the opportunity to teach her child about cultural diversity.

Around 16 miles east of Brookings, Oregon, stands a remarkable coastal redwood tree, planted in 1992 by Nobuo Fujita, a Japanese pilot who had once bombed that area 50 years earlier.

Fujita holds the unique distinction of being the only foreign pilot to have ever bombed the U.S. mainland. On September 9, 1942, Fujita piloted a seaplane launched from a Japanese submarine, targeting the woodlands of southern Oregon. Accompanied by his bombs and a treasured 400-year-old samurai sword—a family heirloom he carried on every mission—Fujita aimed to cause devastation in retaliation for the Doolittle Raid’s attacks on Japanese cities.

Disappointed that his mission didn’t reach significant targets like San Francisco or Los Angeles, Fujita aimed to ignite a forest fire to destroy nearby towns like Brookings. However, the damp Oregon environment thwarted his plans; the incendiary bombs he deployed barely ignited, creating only small fires quickly extinguished by the forest service.

After returning to Japan, Fujita continued to train pilots until the end of World War II, marked by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Despite the historical animosity, the story of reconciliation began less than two decades later.

In 1962, Brookings’ Jaycees proposed inviting Fujita and his family to their Azalea Festival as an act of goodwill. This gesture faced significant opposition from locals who felt it was too soon, given the recent wartime memories and the involvement of many townspeople in the conflict. However, the Jaycees were resolute in their mission for reconciliation.

Fearing potential hostility or even violence, Fujita was prepared for the worst but was instead met with a warm reception. During his visit, he presented his samurai sword to the city of Brookings as a gesture of peace. Brenda Jacques, a retired reference librarian, remarked on the profound significance of this act, emphasizing its depth of repentance.

In recognition of his gesture, Fujita was awarded a key to the city and allowed to fly over the former bombing site. His efforts to mend relations did not end there.

Fujita fostered a lasting bond with Brookings and contributed significantly to the community. He donated funds for a multicultural book collection at the local library and organized cultural exchange trips for high school students to Japan.

In 1992, Fujita returned to Brookings to plant the coastal redwood tree as a symbol of “friendship and peace” at the site of his wartime mission. Before he died in 1997, Brookings honored him as an honorary citizen. The following year, his daughter fulfilled his final wish by having a portion of his ashes interred at the bombing site.

Nobuo Fujita’s story poignantly reminds us of the capacity for redemption and the power of forgiveness. It illustrates that even adversaries in conflict can become advocates for peace and friendship. Such narratives inspire hope for a future where cultural understanding and goodwill can replace the divisiveness of war.

Ashley Goette, 28, was mere days away from welcoming her first child when she faced an unimaginable situation. Exhausted and dealing with the typical challenges of late pregnancy, she initially mistook the noises coming from her husband, Andrew, for snoring.

However, she soon realized that Andrew was struggling to breathe and was unresponsive.

In a state of panic, Goette immediately called 911. The operator guided her through performing CPR on Andrew while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.

“When the paramedics arrived and began CPR, my only thought was, ‘I can’t have this baby without Andrew here,'” Goette shared in an interview.

Andrew was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition characterized by an extra electrical pathway in the heart, causing rapid heart rates. This rare condition, affecting about 20,000 people in the U.S. annually, is seldom fatal, but in Andrew’s case, it nearly was.

To stabilize him, doctors placed Andrew in a medically induced coma. At the same time, Goette and her family braced themselves for the worst just as the anticipated arrival of their baby drew near.

Fortunately, Andrew was successfully revived, and though initially disoriented and frightened, he soon learned that he would be present for one more miracle.

“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” Andrew said. “I went from being at death’s door to witnessing the birth of my son. It’s a story I’ll be thrilled to tell him when he’s older.”

Dr. Alex Teeters, who treated Andrew, commended Goette’s decisive actions. “In just four days, she saved a life and welcomed a new one. It’s truly remarkable,” he said.

Despite the joyful outcome, the couple faced significant financial strain due to Andrew’s medical expenses and the cost of the birth. They launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the substantial bills, raising over $12,000.