Jump to content

Mattie Stepanek: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
added commas after final elements in geographical place-name series; corrected erroneous name of congressional resolution; improved citations; added place of birth
 
(6 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
| birth_name = Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
| birth_name = Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1990|07|17}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1990|07|17}}
| birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mattieonline.com/facts-about-mattie/|website=Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation|last=Stepanek|first=Jennifer Smith|title=Mattie's Facts| date=24 February 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = Maryland
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|06|22|1990|07|17}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|06|22|1990|07|17}}
| death_place = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| death_place = Washington, D.C.
}}
}}


'''Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek''' (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), known as '''Mattie J.T. Stepanek''', was an American [[poet]] (or, as he wanted to be remembered, "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played")<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/us/mattie-stepanek-13-poet-and-inspiration.html |newspaper=NY Times/Associated Press| title=Mattie Stepanek, 13 - Poet and Inspiration| date=23 June 2004 |access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> who published seven [[The New York Times Best Seller list|best-selling]] books of poetry and peace essays. Before his death at the age of 13, he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker.
'''Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek''' (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), known as '''Mattie J.T. Stepanek''', was an American [[poet]] (or, as he wanted to be remembered, "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played")<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/us/mattie-stepanek-13-poet-and-inspiration.html |newspaper=[[New York Times]]|last=Associated Press| title=Mattie Stepanek, 13, Poet and Inspiration| date=23 June 2004 |access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> who published seven [[The New York Times Best Seller list|best-selling]] books of poetry and peace essays. Before his death at the age of 13, he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Matthew Stepanek was born on July 17, 1990. Stepanek's parents divorced when he was a child.<ref name="archive.azcentral.com">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.azcentral.com/families/articles/0710muscular0711.html|title = Help Center - the Arizona Republic}}</ref> He was raised in [[Upper Marlboro, Maryland]] and later lived in [[Rockville, Maryland]].<ref name="LA Times-Mattie">{{cite news| url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jun/24/local/me-mattie24 |newspaper=LA Times |title=Matthew 'Mattie' Stepanek, 13; Poet, Peacemaker |first=Myrna | last=Oliver |date=24 June 2004 |access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> His hero was former U.S. President [[Jimmy Carter]], who described Stepanek as "the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known".<ref name="LA Times-Mattie"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/news/legends-and-legacies/mattie-stepanek-singer-of-heartsongs/2416/#sthash.jgrrKl5A.dpuf.|publisher=Legacy.com| title=Mattie Stepanek, Singer of Heartsongs|date=22 June 2014| access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/inspirational-boy-meets-hero-5354519|title=Video Inspirational Boy Meets His Hero}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0204/17/lkl.00.html |title = CNN.com - Transcripts}}</ref>
Matthew Stepanek was born on July 17, 1990. Stepanek's parents divorced when he was a child.<ref name="LA Times-Mattie">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jun-24-me-mattie24-story.html|title=Matthew ‘Mattie’ Stepanek, 13; Poet, Peacemaker|last=Oliver|first=Myrna|date=24 June 2004|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> He was raised in [[Upper Marlboro, Maryland]], and later lived in [[Rockville, Maryland]].<ref name="LA Times-Mattie"/> His hero was former U.S. President [[Jimmy Carter]], who described Stepanek as "the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known".<ref name="LA Times-Mattie"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/news/legends-and-legacies/mattie-stepanek-singer-of-heartsongs/2416/#sthash.jgrrKl5A.dpuf.|website=Legacy.com| title=Mattie Stepanek, Singer of Heartsongs|date=22 June 2014| access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite newspaper|first=Colin|last=Bessonette| newspaper=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |title=Poetic eulogy by Carter| url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2004/07/22/poetic-eulogy-by-carter/| date=28 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0204/17/lkl.00.html |title =Interview With Mattie Stepanek|website=CNN Larry King Live|publisher=CNN|last=King|first=Larry|date=17 April 2002}}</ref>


Stepanek suffered from a rare disorder, [[Mitochondrial myopathy|dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy]]. His three older siblings died from the same illness. The condition was unknown until his mother was diagnosed with [[mitochondrial disease]] in 1992, after all four of the children had been born.<ref name="archive.azcentral.com"/>
Stepanek had the rare disorder [[Mitochondrial myopathy|dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy]]. His three older siblings died from the same illness. The condition was unknown until his mother was diagnosed with [[mitochondrial disease]] in 1992, after all four of the children had been born.<ref name="LA Times-Mattie"/>


Stepanek was a poet and speaker, penning six volumes of bestselling Heartsongs poetry books, and a collection of peace essays that also became a bestseller.
Stepanek was a poet and speaker. He wrote six volumes of bestselling ''Heartsongs'' poetry books, and a collection of peace essays that also became a bestseller.


He was the lyricist for [[Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek|''Music Through Heartsongs'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/music-through-heartsongs-songs-based-on-the-poems-of-mattie-jt-stepanek-mw0000024245 |publisher=AllMusic.com | title=Review - Heartsongs by Billy Gilman|access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> The album was produced by [[Sony]], was released in 2003 and performed by [[Billy Gilman]], and which debuted at number 109 on the [[Billboard 200]] and at number 15 on [[Hot Country Songs]].
He was the lyricist for [[Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek|''Music Through Heartsongs'']] performed by [[Billy Gilman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/music-through-heartsongs-songs-based-on-the-poems-of-mattie-jt-stepanek-mw0000024245 |website=AllMusic.com | title=''Music Through Heartsongs'': Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek|date=15 April 2003|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> The album was released by [[Epic Records]] in April 2003. It debuted at number 109 on the [[Billboard 200 | ''Billboard'' 200]] and at number 15 on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart.


===Death===
===Death===
Stepanek died at age 13 at [[Children's National Medical Center]] in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2004. He was interred at [[Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Silver Spring, Maryland)|Gate of Heaven Cemetery]] in [[Silver Spring, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12554-2004Jun28.html|last=Johnson|first=Darragh|title=Celebrating the Courage of Mattie|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 29, 2004}}</ref>
Stepanek died at age 13 at [[Children's National Medical Center]] in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2004. He was interred at the [[Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Silver Spring, Maryland)|Gate of Heaven Cemetery]] in [[Silver Spring, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12554-2004Jun28.html|last=Johnson|first=Darragh|title=Celebrating the Courage of Mattie|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 29, 2004}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Shortly after Stepanek's death in 2004, the non-profit Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation was established by a group of citizens in Rockville, Maryland where he lived.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.mattieonline.com/?page_id=8477|website=The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref>
Shortly after Stepanek's death in 2004, the non-profit Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation was established by a group of citizens in Rockville, Maryland, where Stepanek had lived.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.mattieonline.com/?page_id=8477|website=The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref>


In 2008, the [[We Are Family Foundation]] hosted the first annual international Three Dot Dash 'Just Peace Summit' based on the message Stepanek offered in his book "Just Peace".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.youthaward.org/partners/three-dot-dash | publisher=Youth Award | title=Partners - Three Dot Dash | access-date=18 Oct 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141019010349/http://www.youthaward.org/partners/three-dot-dash | archive-date=2014-10-19 }}</ref>
In 2008, the [[We Are Family Foundation]] hosted the first annual international Three Dot Dash Just Peace Summit based on the message Stepanek offered in his book ''Just Peace''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.youthaward.org/partners/three-dot-dash |website=YouthAward.org| publisher=United Nations | title=Three Dot Dash | access-date=18 Oct 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141019010349/http://www.youthaward.org/partners/three-dot-dash | archive-date=2014-10-19 }}</ref>


On October 21, 2008, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park was dedicated in [[Rockville, Maryland]] at an event attended by [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Nile Rodgers]], [[Billy Gilman]] and others.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/In-Memory-of-Mattie-Stepanek/3 |publisher=Oprah.com |title=In Memory of Mattie Stepanek, p. 3| access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> Pepper Choplin set words from Stepanek's final peace speech to music, and a 100-voice choir performed the debut of "Look Up Way Down". Central to the park is the "Peace Garden", which was designed based on the peace imagery Stepanek used in his essay book, ''Just Peace: A Message of Hope''. In the Peace Garden there is a life-size bronze statue of Stepanek and his service dog, Micah, surrounded by chess tables.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/In-Memory-of-Mattie-Stepanek/2 |publisher=Oprah.com|title=In Memory of Mattie Stepanek, p. 2| access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> Throughout the park are quotes and soundbites from Stepanek.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}
On October 21, 2008, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park was dedicated in [[Rockville, Maryland]], at an event attended by [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Nile Rodgers]], [[Billy Gilman]] and others.<ref name="oprahsite">{{cite web| date=24 December 2008 |first=S. |last=Snipes|url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/In-Memory-of-Mattie-Stepanek/3 |website=Oprah.com |publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network|title=In Memory of Mattie Stepanek| access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref> Pepper Choplin set words from Stepanek's final peace speech to music, and a 100-voice choir performed the debut of the song "Look Up Way Down". Central to the park is its Peace Garden, which has a design based on the peace imagery Stepanek used in his book of essays ''Just Peace: A Message of Hope''. In the Peace Garden there is a life-size bronze statue of Stepanek and his service dog, Micah, surrounded by chess tables.<ref name="oprahsite"/> Throughout the park are presentations of quotes from Stepanek.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}


On June 6, 2010, a performance of "Heartsongs" took place at [[Carnegie Hall]], featuring Stepanek's poetry set to music by composer Joseph Martin, and performed by a 200 voice combined Children's Choir and other members of the Distinguished Concerts Singers International under the direction of conductor Stephen Roddy.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/greater_houston/entertainment/houston-children-s-chorus-readies-for-carnegie-hall-performance/article_c3bb9b30-f678-526d-a5cb-7f85c4bb0602.html |newspaper=Your Houston News| title=Houston Children's Chorus Readies for Carnegie Hall Performance|date=3 May 2010 |access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref>
On June 6, 2010, a performance of ''Heartsongs'' took place at [[Carnegie Hall]]. It featured Stepanek's poetry, set to music by composer Joseph Martin. The music was performed by 200 members of Distinguished Concerts Singers International—including its Children's Choir—under the direction of conductor Stephen Roddy.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/greater_houston/entertainment/houston-children-s-chorus-readies-for-carnegie-hall-performance/article_c3bb9b30-f678-526d-a5cb-7f85c4bb0602.html |newspaper=Your Houston News| title=Houston Children's Chorus Readies for Carnegie Hall Performance|date=3 May 2010 |access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref>


In 2011, [[Oprah Winfrey]] named Stepanek as one of her all time most memorable guests in the 25-year history of her show. Mattie convinced Oprah not to retire from the show on its 20th anniversary through an email, saying that "it's good for the world and good for [Oprah]."<ref>{{cite web |title=Oprah's All-Time Favorite Guest Revealed |url=https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/oprah-reveals-her-all-time-favorite-guest/all |website=Oprah.com |access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> During the final studio audience taping, Stepanek's mother and Oprah shared memories of Stepanek, discussed his life story in the "Messenger" book, and Oprah called him "a messenger for our times."{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}
In 2011, [[Oprah Winfrey]] named Stepanek as one of her all-time most memorable guests in the 25-year history of her show. Mattie convinced Oprah not to retire from her show on its 20th anniversary, saying by email that the show was "good for the world and good for [Oprah]."<ref>{{cite web |title=Oprah's All-Time Favorite Guest Revealed |url=https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/oprah-reveals-her-all-time-favorite-guest/all |website=Oprah.com |publisher=Oprah Winfrey Network|date=20 May 2011|first=A.|last=Hamilton|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref> During the final studio audience taping, Stepanek's mother and Oprah shared memories of Stepanek; they discussed his life story as told in the book ''Messenger'' book; and Oprah called him "a messenger for our times."{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}


In 2013, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability posthumously honored Stepanek with the Youth/Young Adult Leadership Award.
In 2013, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability posthumously honored Stepanek with its Youth//Young Adult Leadership Award.


At the behest of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation, in 2013, [[Barbara Mikulski]], a [[United States senator]] from Maryland, sent a letter to US President Barack Obama, wanting to declare July 17 (Stepanek's birthday) a national peace day in Stepanek's honor. In July 2014, [[Ben Cardin]], a [[Seniority in the United States Senate|junior]] United States senator from Maryland, joined Mikulski in introducing a House Resolution (#509), which was approved by the Senate and honors Stepanek's life and peace legacy.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 July 2014|title=Resolution Honoring Life Of Marylander Mattie Stepanek|url=https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-mikulski-applaud-senate-passage-of-resolution-honoring-life-of-marylander-mattie-stepanek|access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=S.Res.509 - A resolution honoring the extraordinary and courageous life of Mattie Stepanek.|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/509/text|access-date=12 March 2017|website=Congress.gov|date=21 July 2014}}</ref> In 2017, the city of Rockville, Maryland voted to declare Mattie's July 17 birthday as "Peace Day" at a local level in perpetua, as a statement of support for the National Peace Day Campaign.
At the behest of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation, in 2013, [[Barbara Mikulski]], a [[United States senator]] from Maryland, sent a letter to US President Barack Obama, wanting to declare July 17 (Stepanek's birthday) a national peace day in Stepanek's honor. In July 2014, [[Ben Cardin]], a [[Seniority in the United States Senate|junior]] United States senator from Maryland, joined Mikulski in introducing Senate Resolution 509, which was approved by the Senate and which honors Stepanek's life and peace legacy.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 July 2014|title=Resolution Honoring Life Of Marylander Mattie Stepanek|url=https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-mikulski-applaud-senate-passage-of-resolution-honoring-life-of-marylander-mattie-stepanek|access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=S.Res.509 - A resolution honoring the extraordinary and courageous life of Mattie Stepanek.|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-resolution/509/text|access-date=12 March 2017|website=Congress.gov|date=21 July 2014}}</ref> In 2017, the city of Rockville, Maryland, voted to declare Mattie's July 17 birthday as "Peace Day" at a local level in perpetua, as a statement of support for the National Peace Day Campaign.


== Cause for canonization ==
== Cause for canonization ==
On September 21, 2012, the feast of [[Matthew the Apostle]], the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild was officially initiated. The purpose of the guild is to gather information and investigate Stepanek's life for the possible cause of [[canonization]] in the Catholic Church.
On September 21, 2012, the feast day of [[Matthew the Apostle]], the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild was officially initiated. The purpose of the guild is to gather information and investigate Stepanek's life for the possible cause of [[canonization]] in the Catholic Church.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}


On June 22, 2014, a Memorial Mass at the [[Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America|Franciscan Monastery]] in Washington, D.C. commemorated the tenth anniversary of Stepanek's death. It was con-celebrated by several priests from the [[Archdiocese of Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-25|title=Canonization Cause - MattieMatters.org|url=https://mattiematters.org/canonization-cause/|access-date=2022-01-08|language=en-US}}</ref>
On June 22, 2014, a Memorial Mass at the [[Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America|Franciscan Monastery]] in Washington, D.C., commemorated the tenth anniversary of Stepanek's death. It was con-celebrated by several priests from the [[Archdiocese of Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-25|last=Stepanek|first=Jennifer Smith|title=Canonization Cause|website=MattieMatters.org|publisher=Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild|url=https://mattiematters.org/canonization-cause/|access-date=2022-01-08|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
* 1999 Melinda Lawrence International Book Award for inspirational written works from the Children's Hospice International, 1999<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mattie-j-t-stepanek| publisher=Scholastic| title=Contributor - Mattie Stepanek| access-date=18 Oct 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122316/http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mattie-j-t-stepanek| archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref>
* 1999 Melinda Lawrence International Book Award for inspirational written works from the Children's Hospice International, 1999<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mattie-j-t-stepanek| website=Scholastic Teachers| publisher=Scholastic| title=Contributor - Mattie Stepanek| access-date=18 Oct 2014| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122316/http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/mattie-j-t-stepanek| archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref>
*2004 [[Nu Skin Enterprises]]'s Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name="Nu Skin Foundation for Good Lifetime Achiement Award Winner Mattie Stepanek">{{cite web|url=http://www.forceforgood.org/content/ffg/en/about/lifetime_achievementaward/mattie_stepanek_--lifetimeachievementawardwinner.html|publisher=Force For Good |title=Mattie Stepanek - Lifetime Achievement Award Winner|access-date=2 Sep 2013}}</ref>
*2004 [[Nu Skin Enterprises]]'s Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award<ref name="Nu Skin Foundation for Good Lifetime Achiement Award Winner Mattie Stepanek">{{cite web|url=http://www.forceforgood.org/content/ffg/en/about/lifetime_achievementaward/mattie_stepanek_--lifetimeachievementawardwinner.html|publisher=Force For Good |title=Mattie Stepanek - Lifetime Achievement Award Winner|access-date=2 Sep 2013}}</ref>
*2007 Independent Publisher's 'Peacemaker of the Year' Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1156|publisher=Independent Publisher|title=2007 Independent Publisher Book Award Results|access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref>
*2007 Independent Publisher's 'Peacemaker of the Year' Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1156|publisher=Jenkins Group|website=Independent Publisher|date=2007|first=Jim|last=Barnes|title=2007 Independent Publisher Book Award Results|access-date=18 Oct 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 64: Line 64:
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:21st-century American poets]]
[[Category:21st-century American poets]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:American child activists]]
[[Category:American child activists]]
[[Category:American child writers]]
[[Category:American child writers]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Deaths from muscular dystrophy]]
[[Category:Deaths from muscular dystrophy]]
[[Category:Child deaths]]
[[Category:Poets from Maryland]]
[[Category:Poets from Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Rockville, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Rockville, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Upper Marlboro, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Upper Marlboro, Maryland]]
[[Category:Burials at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Silver Spring, Maryland)]]
[[Category:Burials at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Silver Spring, Maryland)]]
[[Category:20th-century American poets]]
[[Category:21st-century venerated Christians]]

Latest revision as of 05:42, 21 July 2024

Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Stepanek in June 2004
Born
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek

(1990-07-17)July 17, 1990
Washington, D.C.[1]
DiedJune 22, 2004(2004-06-22) (aged 13)
Washington, D.C.

Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), known as Mattie J.T. Stepanek, was an American poet (or, as he wanted to be remembered, "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played")[2] who published seven best-selling books of poetry and peace essays. Before his death at the age of 13, he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker.

Life and career

[edit]

Matthew Stepanek was born on July 17, 1990. Stepanek's parents divorced when he was a child.[3] He was raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and later lived in Rockville, Maryland.[3] His hero was former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who described Stepanek as "the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known".[3][4][5][6]

Stepanek had the rare disorder dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. His three older siblings died from the same illness. The condition was unknown until his mother was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in 1992, after all four of the children had been born.[3]

Stepanek was a poet and speaker. He wrote six volumes of bestselling Heartsongs poetry books, and a collection of peace essays that also became a bestseller.

He was the lyricist for Music Through Heartsongs performed by Billy Gilman.[7] The album was released by Epic Records in April 2003. It debuted at number 109 on the Billboard 200 and at number 15 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Death

[edit]

Stepanek died at age 13 at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2004. He was interred at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.[8]

Legacy

[edit]

Shortly after Stepanek's death in 2004, the non-profit Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation was established by a group of citizens in Rockville, Maryland, where Stepanek had lived.[9]

In 2008, the We Are Family Foundation hosted the first annual international Three Dot Dash Just Peace Summit based on the message Stepanek offered in his book Just Peace.[10]

On October 21, 2008, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park was dedicated in Rockville, Maryland, at an event attended by Oprah Winfrey, Nile Rodgers, Billy Gilman and others.[11] Pepper Choplin set words from Stepanek's final peace speech to music, and a 100-voice choir performed the debut of the song "Look Up Way Down". Central to the park is its Peace Garden, which has a design based on the peace imagery Stepanek used in his book of essays Just Peace: A Message of Hope. In the Peace Garden there is a life-size bronze statue of Stepanek and his service dog, Micah, surrounded by chess tables.[11] Throughout the park are presentations of quotes from Stepanek.[citation needed]

On June 6, 2010, a performance of Heartsongs took place at Carnegie Hall. It featured Stepanek's poetry, set to music by composer Joseph Martin. The music was performed by 200 members of Distinguished Concerts Singers International—including its Children's Choir—under the direction of conductor Stephen Roddy.[12]

In 2011, Oprah Winfrey named Stepanek as one of her all-time most memorable guests in the 25-year history of her show. Mattie convinced Oprah not to retire from her show on its 20th anniversary, saying by email that the show was "good for the world and good for [Oprah]."[13] During the final studio audience taping, Stepanek's mother and Oprah shared memories of Stepanek; they discussed his life story as told in the book Messenger book; and Oprah called him "a messenger for our times."[citation needed]

In 2013, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability posthumously honored Stepanek with its Youth//Young Adult Leadership Award.

At the behest of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation, in 2013, Barbara Mikulski, a United States senator from Maryland, sent a letter to US President Barack Obama, wanting to declare July 17 (Stepanek's birthday) a national peace day in Stepanek's honor. In July 2014, Ben Cardin, a junior United States senator from Maryland, joined Mikulski in introducing Senate Resolution 509, which was approved by the Senate and which honors Stepanek's life and peace legacy.[14][15] In 2017, the city of Rockville, Maryland, voted to declare Mattie's July 17 birthday as "Peace Day" at a local level in perpetua, as a statement of support for the National Peace Day Campaign.

Cause for canonization

[edit]

On September 21, 2012, the feast day of Matthew the Apostle, the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild was officially initiated. The purpose of the guild is to gather information and investigate Stepanek's life for the possible cause of canonization in the Catholic Church.[citation needed]

On June 22, 2014, a Memorial Mass at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C., commemorated the tenth anniversary of Stepanek's death. It was con-celebrated by several priests from the Archdiocese of Washington.[16]

Awards

[edit]
  • 1999 Melinda Lawrence International Book Award for inspirational written works from the Children's Hospice International, 1999[17]
  • 2004 Nu Skin Enterprises's Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award[18]
  • 2007 Independent Publisher's 'Peacemaker of the Year' Award[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stepanek, Jennifer Smith (24 February 2020). "Mattie's Facts". Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation.
  2. ^ Associated Press (23 June 2004). "Mattie Stepanek, 13, Poet and Inspiration". New York Times. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d Oliver, Myrna (24 June 2004). "Matthew 'Mattie' Stepanek, 13; Poet, Peacemaker". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  4. ^ "Mattie Stepanek, Singer of Heartsongs". Legacy.com. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  5. ^ Bessonette, Colin (28 August 2005). "Poetic eulogy by Carter". Tampa Bay Times.
  6. ^ King, Larry (17 April 2002). "Interview With Mattie Stepanek". CNN Larry King Live. CNN.
  7. ^ Ruhlmann, William (15 April 2003). "Music Through Heartsongs: Songs Based on the Poems of Mattie J.T. Stepanek". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  8. ^ Johnson, Darragh (June 29, 2004). "Celebrating the Courage of Mattie". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ "Our History". The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Three Dot Dash". YouthAward.org. United Nations. Archived from the original on 2014-10-19. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  11. ^ a b Snipes, S. (24 December 2008). "In Memory of Mattie Stepanek". Oprah.com. Oprah Winfrey Network. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  12. ^ "Houston Children's Chorus Readies for Carnegie Hall Performance". Your Houston News. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  13. ^ Hamilton, A. (20 May 2011). "Oprah's All-Time Favorite Guest Revealed". Oprah.com. Oprah Winfrey Network. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Resolution Honoring Life Of Marylander Mattie Stepanek". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  15. ^ "S.Res.509 - A resolution honoring the extraordinary and courageous life of Mattie Stepanek". Congress.gov. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  16. ^ Stepanek, Jennifer Smith (2018-10-25). "Canonization Cause". MattieMatters.org. Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  17. ^ "Contributor - Mattie Stepanek". Scholastic Teachers. Scholastic. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
  18. ^ "Mattie Stepanek - Lifetime Achievement Award Winner". Force For Good. Retrieved 2 Sep 2013.
  19. ^ Barnes, Jim (2007). "2007 Independent Publisher Book Award Results". Independent Publisher. Jenkins Group. Retrieved 18 Oct 2014.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mattie_Stepanek&oldid=1235783481"