As the curtain comes down on the 20th century, Time magazine is presenting a series dedicated to the 100 most important people of the 20th century. It began last March with "Leaders and Revolutionaries," followed by "Artists and Entertainers" in June. Coming this spring will be three other categories, including "Scientists and Healers."
Toward selecting the individuals in the various categories, Time has created an online list called the "Time 100," which allows anyone to vote for the person (or people) they think are among the most important people of the 20th century.
Time will be presenting profiles of the top 100 in the magazine and will also release the results of the poll in a nationally broadcast television show hosted by Bryant Gumbel. Among the scientists and healers that Time has listed on its website are:
Albert Einstein
Sigmund Freud
Jonas Salk
Watson and Crick
George Washington Carver
John Maynard Keynes
Richard and Mary Leakey
Richard Feynman
Edward Teller
A quick glance at the list of notables shows that the fields of physics, medicine, biology, economics, archeology, botany and psychology are represented. Alas, there is one profession that has thus far been ignored. Have you guessed which profession?
Our mission is to rectify that omission with a little help from DCs and chiropractic patients. We can't let this opportunity slip by. You and your patients should begin submitting the name of B.J. Palmer, DC, considered the "developer" of chiropractic, as one of the most important scientists and healers of the 20th century.
Chiropractic's charismatic leader was imbued with enormous energy and commitment to chiropractic and wellness. His work and inspiration have influenced generations of chiropractors. It was under B.J.'s direction that the Palmer School of Chiropractic grew from a student body of only a few dozen to nearly 3,000 by the 1930's.
B.J.'s devotion to chiropractic was unwavering, and his involvement in chiropractic was all-consuming. Walter Wardwell, PhD, wrote in Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a New Profession, "Without him, chiropractic might well not have survived ... Without B.J. there almost certainly would not be any straight chiropractic today, and perhaps not any chiropractic at all."
Without B.J., would we be witness today to the huge growth in "alternative care?" The chiropractic profession has been in the vanguard of promoting a nonsurgical, nondrug health care approach this entire century.
Imagine B.J. Palmer, DC, profiled in Time and on TV as one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. This is a marvelous opportunity to let Time know who the chiropractic profession thinks is one of the most important people of the century. All it takes is a few minutes of your time.
Take a moment out of your day to vote for B.J. Palmer and chiropractic. To view the poll and cast your vote, visit Time's website (www.time.com) and click on the link to take you to the Time 100 poll. You can also access the poll directly at http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/time100/time100poll.html.
To cast your vote for B.J. Palmer,DC simply scroll down to the "Scientists and Healers" section of the poll and enter "B.J. Palmer,DC" in the box provided under that heading. And don't be shy about including the reasons for choosing why he deserves a spot in the "Time 100." You can set up a computer in your waiting room and ask your patients to join you in recognizing the very vital healer.
If you're not on line, cast your vote on a friend's computer or go on line at a library or college. If you prefer, mail your vote to: Time, Time/Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020-1393. Type out and photocopy a form that your patients can fill out, sign and send.
Don't miss this great opportunity to make a statement for chiropractic. Please cast your vote as soon as possible, and make sure to inform your office personnel and patients about the on line poll. Don't let your profession and its historical roots down.
This has been a century of incredible advances and monumental achievements. The development and growth of the chiropractic profession is one of those. Cast your vote today for B.J.!
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