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There are heroes everywhere. Discover them. Become one.

Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani scoured the globe to create their list of The 20 Dissenters. 

Join them each week to meet one of their heroes.

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DEBRA MESSING is an actor, philanthropist and global icon. MANDANA DAYANI is an entrepreneur, attorney and the creator/co-founder of I am a voter. And they are the biggest nerds you’ve never met. 

Join them each week as they speak to one of their heroes. Each of these 20 Dissenters just made the decision one day to dissent: to challenge the status quo, stand up to an injustice or make a tremendous difference in their communities. Learn how a stay at home mom took on the NRA and built the largest grassroots movement in our country, and how a college student went on to pass over 30 laws to protect sexual assault survivors (and even got nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize). These Dissenters will give you the courage and hope to find your purpose and chase your passion.

There are heroes everywhere. Discover them. Become one.

Featured
Cindy Eckert: The Sexual Revolutionist
Cindy Eckert: The Sexual Revolutionist
Christian Siriano: The Pioneer of Inclusion
Christian Siriano: The Pioneer of Inclusion
Preet Bharara: The Guardian of Justice
Preet Bharara: The Guardian of Justice
Schuyler Bailar: The Trans Trailblazer
Schuyler Bailar: The Trans Trailblazer
Eva Longoria: The Latina Visionary
Eva Longoria: The Latina Visionary
Mark Bustos: The Humanit-HAIR-ian
Mark Bustos: The Humanit-HAIR-ian
Kate Roberts: The Women’s Health Maverick
Kate Roberts: The Women’s Health Maverick
Jameela Jamil: The Shame Assassin
Jameela Jamil: The Shame Assassin
Ali Wentworth: The Mental Health Champion
Ali Wentworth: The Mental Health Champion
Patrisse Cullors: The Freedom Fighter
Patrisse Cullors: The Freedom Fighter

 

The 2020 Dissenters List was created by Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani, two lifelong social justice advocates. By standing up for their beliefs, challenging an injustice, organizing their communities or building a vision for a more positive future, each of these incredible heroes has proven the profound power of dissent.

 

Glennon Doyle: The Love Warrior

Amanda Nguyen:  The Civil Rights Astronaut

Adam Schiff:  The Chairman of Democracy

Shannon Watts:  The NRA’s Worst Nightmare

Sophia Bush: The Equality Warrior

Zach Skow:  The Rescue Savior

Patrisse Cullors:  The Freedom Fighter

Ali Wentworth:  The Mental Health Champion

Jameela Jamil: The Shame Assassin

Kate Roberts:  The Women's Health Maverick

Nadya Okamoto:  The Period Pioneer

Mark Bustos: The Humanit-hair-ian

Eva Longoria:  The Latina Visionary 

Schuyler Bailar:  The Trans Trailblazer

Preet Bharara: The Guardian of Justice

Christian Siriano:  The Inclusion Pioneer 

Cindy Eckert: The Sexual Revolutionist

Lena Waithe: The Truth-Teller

Jane Fonda: The Climate Crusader

Dr. Edith Eger: The Healing Survivor

Carole Cadwalladr: The Dismantler of Disinformation

Hillary Clinton: The Shero

Follow us @thedissenters

 
We had the best time speaking with one of our dearest friends, the brilliant Equality Warrior: @sophiabush. #thedissenters @therealdebramessing @mandanadayani
@sophiabush on @thedissenters!
We were totally blown away by our conversation with @sophiabush! Her strength and commitment to activism are just so inspiring! Please listen and share
We asked @repadamschiff for some of his reflections on the impeachment trial in this week’s episodes. #thedissenters
“Americans now get their information through social media, and that's a venue in which fear and lies travel much faster than truth. And then you have the whole Fox News effect. There is a strong profit motive for Fox to do what Fox does. When D
Have you listened to this episode yet? @repadamschiff shares so many inspiring thoughts! Let us know what you think. #thedissenters
Please meet our 4th Dissenter, the Chairman of Democracy: Congressman Adam Schiff! When we thought about what it meant to be a Dissenter, the image of Congressman Schiff standing up at the podium every day during the impeachment trial, knowing he wou
“There's a real moral imperative right now that women run. And I say this to every single woman who's listening to us. I don't care if you want to be the coroner, the sheriff, city council, school board, state house, Congress. Pick a position a
@shannonrwatts on gun extremists: “There will be that vocal minority that will never agree with us. But if we get the silent majority to vote on this issue, we will  finally change this.” #momsdemandaction #thedissenters
Have you listened to @shannonrwatts on The Dissenters yet? Tell us your favorite part so we can post the video clips! @momsdemand #thedissenters #momsdemandaction
Shannon Watts on how she dealt with the death threats and trolls when she began Moms Demand Action. #thedissenters @shannonrwatts
Meet our 3rd Dissenter, Shannon Watts: The NRA's Worst Nightmare. We sit down (and fully fangirl) with our friend and hero, the founder of Moms Demand Action to learn how she has mobilized millions of moms and volunteers across America to bring down
Some more highlights from our episode with @amandangocnguyen. We can’t stress how powerful this episode is. Please listen and share with anyone who can use some inspiration! Xx
Have you listened to our episode with @amandangocnguyen yet? She shares many resources and thought starters for how we can all make a huge impact. Her story is incredible! Let us know what you think!
Taking this week to honor the dissent in our country. Please visit @campaignzero. We will see you next week x