InnerSelf.com

As we struggle with beliefs and opinions about the ongoing political and economic meltdown, we need role-models and heroes (heroines) to give us hope that things can and do change. One such person is Dorli Rainey who has recently come into the spotlight following her experience of being pepper-sprayed by Seattle police.

However, Dorli has been quietly and firmly advocating change with her words and actions since she was a young girl. When she came to the US in 1956 as an immigrant from Austria, her burning motivation to come here was the lure of "Freedom of Speech". She was quickly disillusioned once she arrived as she discovered that Freedom of Speech was a concept that was not always practiced in this country. She became involved with various groups to make changes -- from blue laws, to women's rights, school textbooks, women in sports, bike paths, and much more.

Mike McCormick, the producer of the Talking Stick, said Rainey is "a role model among activists that walks the walk." He added, “She's passionate, thoughtful, well informed, dogged, fearless, in-your-face but not in an intimidating way, warm, caring, humorous, doesn't pull her punches kinda activist you want right next to you when the s--t hits the fan.”

Dorli has said: "I would like to see more people really involved with the issues in our country... I would like to see people more open to new ideas and I really want to see a mass of people out to demonstrate when they're upset."  (from radio interview that can be seen below)

The following article and videos will give you a closer look at Dorli - her inspiration, her actions, her causes and her effect on the world we live in. Thank you Dorli. We salute you as a woman of courage and inspiration

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The Atlantic Wire

Dorli Rainey's History of Activism Before She Became an Occupy Icon - John Hudson

The new face of the youth-fueled Occupy Wall Street movement is none other than an 84-year-old woman who's spent her life crusading for liberal causes. The image of pepper-sprayed Doril Rainey has quickly gone viral across Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.

As Rainey's fellow travelers in the Occupy movement hunt for more details about her, here's what we know so far.

Read The Entire Article

A Filmed Radio Interview with Dorli

Dorli Rainey shares some of her background and her reasons for coming to the USA from Austria in 1956. She speaks of many of the groups she's been involved with and the changes she was party to in her interesting life. What an inspiration!

Keith Olbermann Interviews Dorli

Eighty-four-year-old activist Dorli Rainey tells Keith about her experience getting pepper-sprayed by the police during an Occupy Seattle demonstration and the need to take action and spread the word of the Occupy movement. She cites the advice of the late Catholic nun and activist Jackie Hudson to “take one more step out of your comfort zone” as an inspiration, saying, “It would be so easy to say, ‘Well I’m going to retire, I’m going to sit around, watch television or eat bonbons,’ but somebody’s got to keep ’em awake and let ’em know what is really going on in this world.”

Rachel Maddow Reports on The Spraying of Dorli

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Recommended Books: Social & Political

Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy by President Bill Clinton
President Clinton explains how we got into the current economic crisis, and offers specific recommendations on how we can put people back to work.
Click here for more info and/or to order this book on Amazon.

Confidence Men: Wall Street, Washington, and the Education of a President by Ron Suskind
This is a story that follows the journey of Barack Obama, who rose as the country fell, and offers the first full portrait of his tumultuous presidency.
Click here for more info and/or to order this book on Amazon.

The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World by Daniel Yergin
Renowned energy authority Daniel Yergin continues the riveting story begun in his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Prize.
Click here for more info and/or to order this book on Amazon.

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