This is Part 3 in an 8-Part “Giving Thanks” series, a Global Exchange exclusive highlighting individuals (chosen by Global Exchange staff members) who are contributing to our social justice work in some way. This series will culminate with a “Giving Thanks” video to be launched right here on Wednesday, November 24th. So please join us in recognizing those special individuals who are helping to make this world a better place.

Global Exchange’s Social Media Director Tex Dworkin thanks two of her favorite social networkers

Global Exchange’s social media efforts started about a year ago, and here we are now with a blog network, multiple Twitter and Facebook accounts, and a slew of other channels. We use these mediums to communicate with our audience and keep folks informed about political, social and environmental justice issues that are important to us all.

But writing about them is one thing. Getting folks to respond, engage and forward messages on is what makes our efforts most effective. So that’s why I’ve chosen to thank two of our greatest message transmitters; Ray Beckerman P.C. a.k.a @RayBeckerman, and Pierrette Mimi Poinsett MD a.k.a @yayayarndiva.

Here’s Ray for you; as I write this, the first post in this series about Ben & Jerry’s is already online. Guess who was the first to Comment on AND Retweet the post? That’s right. It was Ray, a lawyer in New York who has over 16,000 followers on Twitter. Here’s what Ray had to say when I told him he was getting a public thanking:

Of course I’d be honored. When my son Eli first explained to me, years ago, about what Fair Trade certification was, I was on board. It’s hard to put it in one word why, because it spans so many things that are important to me: social justice, the environment, and indigenous cultures.

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett MD describes herself as “50 plus and fabulous. Convinced that 50 is the new 30. Parenting a young boy with a Yoda soul.” She comes from parents who were both activists in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, and thus grew up understanding and participating in action for social change. So it’s no surprise that she is so active in our social justice efforts.

Mimi (as she likes to be called) is a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, board certified pediatrician, blogger and Mom to 13 year old Joshua. Plus, she is currently working on a business startup to provide health navigation, advocacy and empowerment for families with children with mental health issues, behavior problems and learning differences.

How Mimi finds the time to share our messages, well, your guess is as good as mine! You can read more about her in Faces of the Uninsured and Living One Day at a time in Economic Crisis.

When I informed Mimi about this post, she wrote back:

I feel extremely honored in (the) company of amazing honorees…I am active in sharing your message as it is also my message:)

Ray and Mimi, I can’t wait to see what you do with THIS blog post! In the meantime…

Thank You Ray Beckerman AND Pierrette Mimi Poinsett!

Who are YOU thankful for? Add your own thank you message in the Comments section to recognize someone you think is doing great social justice work. And if you feel so inspired, Retweet and Share this post to help spread the recognition all of our ‘Thankees’ deserve. Thank YOU.