Miriam Were has made outstanding contributions to public health in the developing world. She brings basic medical services to women and children in East Africa.

If nothing else, I want women to understand that they are powerful. If you look back at history, in almost every big moment, in every leap forward, you find ordinary women at the core. We have more ability to make changes in the world than we can imagine if we have the courage to try.

I always loved having the chance to disappear in a story. I always was kind of obsessed with that.

President Obama has made maternal health one of the core priorities of U.S. international aid funding.

I never thought modeling would become my career. I thought it was something I'd do to pay my way through college.

I'm a mom. I'm from Ethiopia. I gave birth in the U.S. and had all the proper care available to me. If I had given birth in Ethiopia - I don't know if I might have even survived it.

While I was pregnant, I had dozens of checkups. They covered everything from blood tests to ultrasounds, and I even had the option of attending birthing classes with my husband.