Once you choose, you’ll meet another hero who shares the same quality. You’ll get the chance to learn a little bit about how their choices made them a Hero of Character. Who do you think it could be?

Let’s find out whose footsteps you’re following in. Just pick the one you think is your best quality:

• Understanding
• Forgiveness
• Compassion
• Humility
• Perseverance – never giving up
• Courage
• Hard Work
• Creativity

Anne Frank

"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."

The famous young writer - Anne Frank - wrote a diary about the terrible things that happened during World War II and the Holocaust – but she really tried to be understanding and forgiving.

Anne Frank was living with her family in Amsterdam, Holland, during World War II. Hitler and the Nazis were doing terrible things to Jewish people, so Anne and her family tried to stay safe by hiding in an attic for more than 2 years.

When Anne was only 13, she decided to use her diary to write about her feelings and ideas, hoping it might stop people from treating others badly in the future. Her story put a personal face on the struggle of a whole people. To this day, it inspires people around the world to talk about bad situations and use the power of their writing to change things for the better.

No matter how tough things got in her attic hideout, Anne continued to believe that people were basically good at heart. Sometimes, we simply follow the leader or blame others instead of doing what is right. Anne was forgiving, but still felt that we each have to take responsibility for what we do with our lives.

Do you see what you and Anne Frank have in common?

Mother Teresa

"Be kind and caring toward each person you meet."

The small person with the giant heart - Mother Teresa – won the Nobel Peace Prize for her amazing kindness, humility, and caring for people in really bad situations.

As a wide-eyed girl named Agnes, growing up in Macedonia, a nation in south central Europe, Mother Teresa had no idea where her love and compassion for others would lead. But when she arrived in India in 1929 and saw so many people suffering, she knew it was her calling to ease their pain. She didn’t wait for anybody to ask her – she just helped wherever she could.

Mother Teresa started the Missionaries of Charity and learned basic medicine to care for the sickest people and those in the worst poverty. She was very humble, taking a vow of poverty and living among those she helped. Mother Teresa asked for nothing in return, inspired by her incredible faith to act.

Mother Teresa treated each person as a unique, important, and beautiful individual.

Do you see what you and Mother Teresa have in common?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"The time is always right to do what is right."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the courageous person who changed the whole history of America with his determined fight for equality and justice for all, who never gave up on non-violent resistance, even when faced with set-backs and violence.

In his short life, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. forever changed our nation’s history. Growing up in Georgia in the 1930’s and 40’s, he and other African Americans faced extreme prejudice. Many of our laws were unfair, and denied them their civil rights. But, instead of wasting his energy on hate, Dr. King focused on getting a good education and learning what his faith taught about the power of love, respect and understanding.

When Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give her seat on a bus to a white man, Dr. King could see that violence would not bring about positive change. Instead, he convinced thousands of people to protest peacefully.

He set up campaigns to register black voters and inspired people of all backgrounds to stand up for civil rights and justice for all. It took Dr. King’s courageous action and perseverance and that of millions of people following his peaceful approach before small changes could grow into great progress. Thanks to your hero, the laws of the United States were changed when the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964.

Do you see what you and Dr. King have in common?

Benjamin Franklin

"Don’t give up. It’ll pay off in the future."

Benjamin Franklin was the creative person who always worked really hard and used his ingenuity to become one of history’s most famous inventors and Founding Fathers of the United States.

Can you imagine being one of 17 kids? Well, Ben Franklin was!

Growing up in Colonial times, without the luxury of modern conveniences, Ben Franklin relied on his creativity and hard work to do amazing things. Starting as a young man, ambitious Ben headed to Philadelphia to turn his brilliant ideas into real success.

First he learned candle-making. Then he started a printing company. You may know him best for experimenting with electricity and inventing things like the lightning rod to prevent fires or creating the first library for sharing books.

Or, maybe you’ve used one of Ben’s famous sayings like: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

Ben’s hard work and ingenuity made him one of our most important Founding Fathers. It wasn’t easy to create this new nation, but Benjamin Franklin worked non-stop to convince others to join in. His efforts paid off and he was rewarded by helping to write the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Do you see what you and Ben Franklin have in common?