Michelle Bates Deakin has been writing about personal journeys and social change for two decades. Her work has appeared in many national magazines and newspapers. A graduate of Williams College, she lives with her family near Boston.

Her 2006 book, "Gay Marriage, Real Life: 10 Stories of Love and Family," received an Independent Publisher Book Award.

She is currently at work on a book about World Changers, ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It will be published by Skinner House Books.