1. Mattie Stepanek published seven books of poetry and essays on peace, several of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list before his death at the age of 13.
10 Facts About Mattie Stepanek
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Mattie Stepanek wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played".
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Mattie Stepanek was raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and later lived in Rockville, Maryland.
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Mattie Stepanek's hero was former US President Jimmy Carter, who described Stepanek as "the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known".
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Mattie Stepanek was the lyricist for Music Through Heartsongs performed by Billy Gilman.
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Mattie Stepanek was interred at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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In 2008, the We Are Family Foundation hosted the first annual international Three Dot Dash Just Peace Summit based on the message Mattie Stepanek offered in his book Just Peace.
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Mattie Stepanek Park was dedicated in Rockville, Maryland, at an event attended by Oprah Winfrey, Nile Rodgers, Billy Gilman and others.
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Central to the park is its Peace Garden, which has a design based on imagery Mattie Stepanek used in his book of essays Just Peace: A Message of Hope.
10.
Mattie Stepanek 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]".