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Inspiration July 22, 2019
The next generation of change is coming from young, influential women around the world.
The future of our world rests not in the hands of adults and lawmakers, but in the young activists rising up to fight injustice. Frustrated by the inaction of their elders and brave enough to stand up about it, these teen and child activists are using their voices to inspire change. If these young influential women have anything to do with it, the future will indeed be female.
Here are 8 young and influential women who are rising up and changing the world:
Frustrated and fed up with the inaction of elected officials, a 16-year-old Jamie Margolin started the Zero Hour movement in 2017. The movement is centered around climate change and the impact that the environment has on the younger generation. The Columbian student, author, and activist and other members of the Zero Hour Movement have been spearheading Youth Climate Lobby Day and the Youth Climate March in April of 2019.
Margolin calls for action and aims to recruit more youth to the group. The most recent gathering took place from July 12th to the 14th of 2019 at the This Is Zero Hour: The Youth Climate Summit, in an effort to educate attendees to be effective advocates.
“This is zero hour. In other words, it’s the only chance we will ever have to save ourselves.”
A filmmaker and girls education advocate, Zuriel Oduwole strives to show the world what an educated girl can do. Oduwole’s documentary films have been shown on The History Channel, and her newest film was released in 5 countries. In addition to films focusing on African issue, Oduwole has interviewed 14 government leaders on climate change.
Her “Dream Up. Speak Up. Stand up” campaign seeks to give every child in the world a chance at education by encouraging girls to stay in school and fight for their rights and educating parents on the importance of education.
“I spoke to students in some schools in Lagos about the need for the girls to dream big and speak loudly on important issues. I also wanted them to know that the girl child can do the same as the boy child, if she is given the opportunity to try. Girls are just as creative as boys.”
Rescued from child slavery during the Obama administration, Payal Jangid now leads the Child Parliament in a village in Rajasthan. Here, she fights for change for children, particularly women. Jangid advocates for children’s voices and a child-friendly society. In 2012 the village became a Bal Mitra Gram—a village that removes child labor and enrolls children in school in the hopes of fostering a positive relationship with the older members of the community.
Jangid was rewarded the World Children’s Prize in 2013 for her efforts, and serves as an inspiration for her village and for girls all over the world.
“We visit children at home and explain to their parents why school is important. We also tell fathers not to hit their children or wives. If they are loving instead, things are better for everyone.”
Jayden Foytlin joined the list of influential women, and the fight, at 11 or 12 after the Gulf oil spill. Growing up in Louisiana meant regular flooding, and Foytlin said in an interview that she watched her home flood twice in two years. She is one of 21 students suing the president and the federal government in defense of the world and their right to a safe environment. The case, Juliana v. U.S., has gained traction in the public eye for its belief that a clean environment is a fundamental right. Though the case has spurred interest in the climate change movement, an answer from the judge will not come for another year according to Sightline.
“I’m going to make sure all these kids are going to be heard.”
At age 11, Marley Dias launched the campaign #1000BlackGirlBooks with the goal of collecting and donating 1000 books featuring black girls as main characters. By the age of 12, she has collected over 9,000 books and earned a book deal. In July of 2019, Dias’ efforts resulted in free book vending machines being placed in the boroughs of New York City.
In January of 2019, Dias’ book Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You was published. It features advice for young people on how to organize campaigns of their own.
“I put out the truth and everyday experiences of myself so that people can see me as their equal, not as just a little kid or as a public figure.”
One of the youngest speakers at the March For Our Lives rally in 2018, Naomi Wadler gave a compelling speech urging the nation to remember the Black women and citizens disproportionately affected by gun violence. Wadler and a friend organized a walkout at their school prior to the March, leading a group of students in a haunting display outside the school.
“I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African American whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper. Whose stories don’t lead on the evening news.”
Also known as “Little Miss Flint,” Mari Copeny made her mark by fighting for Flint, Michigan, a city that has been without clean water since 2014. A letter sent by Copeny gained Obama’s attention, as well as the public’s. Copeny went on the create the non-profit Pack Your Back, which has fundraised over $500,000 and impacted over 25,000 children.
“Flint has taught me that we need to listen to and believe in science and to always question, even the things we take for granted the most.”
The youngest influential woman on the list, a 5-year-old Sophie Cruz made headlines by reaching out to the Pope in the hopes of saving her immigrant parents in 2015. Though Cruz is an American citizen, her parents are undocumented immigrants. Cruz went on to give a speech at the Women’s March in English and Spanish, asking that families be allowed to remain together. She went on to receive the Define American award for Activist of the Year in 2017.
“I also want to tell the children not to be afraid, because we are not alone. There are still many people that have their hearts filled with love … Let’s keep together and fight for the rights.”
These girls are fighting to be heard in a world that doesn’t necessarily want to listen. They are rising up to make change, despite the obstacles. The future belongs to young, influential women, and they are here to stay.
