evidence: On December 5, 2013, the news of Nelson Mandela’s death popped up on my screen. I felt a rush of sorrow and was taken aback by the strength of my emotions. It was as if someone close to me had died. And though he was 95 at the time, I was still shocked by his death. His larger-than-life persona made it seem as if he would always be there to learn from and to look up to. [...] Nelson Mandela lived a life like no other. From being imprisoned for 27 years for his efforts to end apartheid, to becoming the first black president of South Africa, to continuing to fight for the world’s most vulnerable people well into his 90s, he was a man who never really retired from his life’s mission. Perhaps what always strikes me most is how he succeeded in bringing others along on the ride as, among Nelson Mandela’s many talents, he was one of the greatest communicators of our time. [...] Nelson Mandela, with his inimitable spirit, used the power of communication to improve the lives of millions, including to raise the status of women. Today would have been his 100th birthday. In his honor, maybe we can all strive to live up to his ideal: "We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference."