Sonia Manzano played Maria on Sesame Street from 1971 until her retirement in 2015; Maria’s wedding was one of the most memorable moments in the show’s long run. Sesame Street is not Manzano’s only connection to early childhood education; she has worked with several organizations to introduce reading and the arts to young children, and she has even written books for children. She is also a stage actress and has written about parenting and education.
Emmylou Harris’ career began with the folk revival movement in New York City in the early 1960s, and she has spent the last five decades exploring and interpreting the various genres of American music. Younger audiences will recognize her voice from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. Her activism and philanthropic work is to support war veterans and all people affected by wars, as well as to encourage and mentor women musicians.
Stevie Wonder’s musical career began with a series of hit singles with Detroit’s Motown label in the 1960s, and while his musical style has evolved over the decades, he is known for his introspective, socially conscious lyrics. His 1975 album Songs in the Key of Life remains a classic, and he had a major role in the charity singles of the 80s, contributing vocals to “We Are the World” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” among others.
While he is no longer young enough to smash his guitar in front of an exploding drum kit, Pete Townshend, one of two surviving members of The Who, has found plenty of other ways to keep audiences interested. His 1979 acoustic rendition of the (famously electric) Won’t Get Fooled Again served as the inspiration for MTV’s Unplugged, and in 2015 he released an orchestral arrangement of Quadrophenia. Fans of music documentaries also know him as one of rock’s greatest storytellers.
Gillian Anderson is an amazing actress, best known for her role as Dana Scully in the hit sci-fi television series, The X Files. She is a British-American film, television, and theatre performer with a heart of gold. Born in 1968, she has done quite a few movies and shows that many recognize her in. She has also written several books and participated in certain activism movements.
