Atticus Finch trial "State of Alabama vs. Charles White, Alias," and Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson in "To Kill a Mockingbird". In a letter to the author, Harper Lee herself noted the "obvious parallels" between the cases (Lee was 12 at the time of the Charles White trial) and between Atticus Finch and Foster Beck, though she also stated that she could not recall the trial, and that "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a work of fiction. Former President Barack Obama referenced Atticus Finch as an ideal American character. In addition Atticus was mentioned during one of Obama's speeches. In July
The My Hero Project The My Hero Project The My Hero Project is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization established in 1995 by philanthropist Karen Pritzker, Jeanne Meyers and Rita Stern Milch that identifies positive role models from around the world for the online digital storytelling project. By 2013, it reached 194 countries. Its primary focus is education, and it also conducts an international film festival that calls attention to real-life heroes. Its partners include iEARN.org, The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, Tech-Ed, The National Educational Computing Conference, and the American Film Institute. The My Hero Project was co-founded by philanthropist Karen Pritzker, the daughter of