WHO SHOULD BE AMONG THIS YEAR’S PICKS FOR THE TIME 100?
Time
April 17, 2006
U.S. Edition
To help make the selection, TIME asked earlier honorees whom they would
select as the world’s most influential people. This week’s installment:
AISHWARYA RAI The ex–Miss World conquered Bollywood and became an
international film star: I would like to submit Oprah Winfrey as my
nomination. There are those who are born to be leaders, and she is
one of them. Oprah is a healer of lost souls. She continues to lead
millions of people to their path of personal happiness. She has a
powerful and generous spirit, with the heart of a goddess. She is
both admired and loved.
ANDREW WEIL An expert in the art of integrating Western medicine with
herbal healing Richard Davidson is a pioneer in exciting mind-body
medicine frontiers. His best-known work focuses on a capacity of
the brain to develop and change throughout life. Using Tibetan monks
as research subjects, he has shown how meditation can improve brain
function. His studies may lead to therapeutic approaches for anxiety
disorders and reveal ways to protect against memory loss and cognitive
decline.
STEPHEN LEWIS The U.N.’s special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa is the
author of Race Against Time: I suggest Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s
first female President. She has set an astonishing precedent by
appointing a Cabinet of exact gender parity. Also Liberia’s new woman
President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who broke the monolithic boys’ club
of Africa. She will bring economic and social justice to her country.
And Zackie Achmat, who leads the world’s most important AIDS activist
organization. He has brought hope to millions living with AIDS
in Africa.
SAMANTHA POWER A Harvard University professor, her book on genocide won
a Pulitzer Prize in 2003: I nominate Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. He
has acknowledged his homeland’s genocide against the Armenians and
nearly got himself arrested before the Turks decided their commitment
to and pride in their greatest writer exceeded a commitment to killers
who died almost a century ago. It could bring a cultural change. Also
George Clooney, for the obvious reasons, and the students who led
the divestment movement on campuses for Darfur.
