Editor's note: Originally published Oct. 24, 2009.
Four of the five Pan American Development Foundation's Heroes of the Hemisphere will be present in Miami today for a big party in their honor, as they are recognized for how they have "truly changed lives."
The fifth Hero, blogger Yoani Sanchez, will be stuck back in Cuba. Not a surprise considering how the Castro dictatorship doesn't consider her fit for travel, especially if she intends to accept yet another award from her ever-growing international audience.
This is what the PADF had to say about this incredibly brave woman:
Writing a blog may seem common today – unless you live in Cuba. Freedom of expression is limited. Internet access is prohibitively expensive and the island’s servers are controlled by the government.
Those barriers did not stop Yoani Sánchez, a 33-year-old Cuban who writes an independent blog called Generación Y (http://desdecuba.com/generaciony/). During the past two years, the self-taught blogger has found ways to circumvent the system to successfully chronicle everyday life in Cuba. Her writing is described as brilliant and honest. The Cuban government disagrees, however, and has blocked her blog on the island. Once her blog is published, she cannot see her words online.
Notwithstanding, Ms. Sánchez continues to file her observations to Generación Y almost every day, thanks to a network of international volunteers, friends and supporters.
Congratulations to Yoani for this richly deserved award.
She may not be in Miami today, but remember, you still have a way to honor her.
UPDATED, Oct. 26, 2009 — Another Cuban hero, Gorki Aguila, picked up the award for Yoani.
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