Advocates get a walk of fame.

Who needs Marilyn Monroe and Hollywood Boulevard? America's volunteer and activism visionaries now have a walk of their own in Washington, D.C.

The recent unveiling of The Extra Mile-Points of Light Volunteer Pathway monument came 14 long years after its conception. "The idea goes back to 1991," explained Extra Mile Senior Director John Johansen. "I started something called the Make A Difference Foundation, and in the process of doing that, came up with the idea (for the monument)."

The concept later fell under the umbrella of the Points of Light Foundation's activities at the behest of Robert K. Goodwin, the foundation's president and CEO. An initial 20 medallions that make up the monument lie adjacent to the White House, along what will eventually be a one-mile stretch of sidewalk. They were cast in the bas-relief style and fabricated of pure bronze honoring 24 people. The initial honorees were chosen for recognition by the Extra Mile Selection Committee.

The iconic group includes: Edgar Allen, founder, National Easter Seal Society; Clara Barton, founder, the American Red Cross; Frederick Douglass, abolitionist; Ballington & Maud Booth, co-founders, Volunteers of America; William D. Boyce, founder, Boy Scouts of America; Millard & Linda Fuller, co-founders, Habitat for Humanity; Cesar Chavez, co-founder, United Farm Workers of America; Ernest Kent Coulter, founder, Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Booker T. Washington, civil rights leader; Charlotte & Luther Gulick, co-founders, Camp Fire USA; William Edwin Hall, founder, Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Paul Harris, founder, Rotary International, Edgar J. Helms, founder, Goodwill Industries; Melvin Jones, founder, International Association of Lions Clubs, Helen Keller, advocate for the blind and founder, American Foundation for the Blind; Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader; Juliette Gordon Low, founder, Girls Scouts; Mary White Ovington/W.E.B. DuBois, co-founders, NAACP; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder, Special Olympics; and Harriet Tubman, a leader in the Effort to Free Slaves (the Underground Railroad).

Each candidate was put through screening from various sources, said Goodwin. A slate of candidates was presented to the ninemember selection committee. Each nominee then had to pass muster by a 2/3-majority vote.

The criteria for inclusion: the achievement for which the nominee is being honored has to be undertaken while not in an elected or appointed position; it must be undertaken without a motive of profit; the achievement must be of public interest and of a national--not a regional or local--impact; and the nominee must be an American citizen, among other considerations.

When completed, the monument will consist of more than 70 such medallions, each representing an honoree. "If you look at America's monuments this nation's capital's monuments--there are many monuments to political leaders, conflicts, things of that sort. Yet, in the pantheon of monuments in Washington, (volunteering, charity and service are) completely un-represented," said Johansen. "But as you know, charity, philanthropy and volunteering are very uniquely American institutions. I thought it was important to tell that story, in part through this monument."

The project was funded by private sources, with major support by the KPMG Foundation. When completed, the effort will have cost in the ballpark of $3 million, half of which has been raised so far.

Of the name, the Extra Mile-Points of Light Volunteer Pathway, said Goodwin, "It captures both the imagery of what extraordinary efforts people go through in order to help others--that extra mile--and the fact that it is a walkway covering an expanse of geography that approximates a full mile. It's a great double entendre."