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Sarah Ferguson
The Duchess of York
By Melinda Copp
Sarah Ferguson is best known as Fergie the Duchess of York, a former member of the British Royal Family, which is a status that most moms can't even begin to fathom. She's been in tabloid headlines, television commercials and the media spotlight for decades. But her true legacy, and the example she hopes to set for her daughters, is much more down-to-earth.
Ferguson has used her celebrity status to contribute to the greater good through her work with international charities, which is something that every parent can appreciate.
"My grandmother taught me the importance of giving to others, and that is something I have tried to teach my girls by example," Ferguson says. "I've tried to show them that it is possible to make a difference in the lives of people in need."
In 1993, the Duchess founded Children in Crisis, a charity that works to improve the lives of children around the world affected by conflict, deprivation, poverty or other hidden crises, by working in partnership with local communities to provide education, health and protection. The charity helps over 250,000 children annually in 10 countries around the world. They are currently focusing on meeting the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals of universal primary education by 2015, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS. Ferguson still serves as the Children in Crisis's Life President.
In 1994, Ferguson founded Chances for Children. The office of this charity was on the 101st floor of the World Trade Center. Luckily, no one from the charity was in the building on 9/11. The Duchess is also patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, an organization that raises awareness and funding for research to cure Lou Gerig's Disease, and the United States spokesperson for SOS Children's Villages.