Young Activists Change the World: Are you next?

Young people have played a critical role in shaping the world all throughout history. From civil rights to climate change, young activists have been changemakers, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. But that does not mean it is easy. So how do young activists do it, and how can you follow in their footsteps?

Malala Yousafzai: Fighting for Education

Malala Yousafzai began speaking out against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education in Pakistan at only 11 years old. She began anonymously writing a blog for the BBC, where she discussed the plight of girls who were denied their right to education. However, in 2012, she was shot in the head by the Taliban on her way to school. Luckily, she survived and became an international advocate for girls’ education. She won the Nobel Peace Prize at 17, which made her the youngest recipient ever. Currently, she continues to fight for equal educational opportunities for girls. She has published several books about her experiences and founded the Malala Fund. The Malala Fund has directly impacted over 90,000 girls and indirectly impacted over 10 million by helping with school enrollment, informal education programs, and advocacy work.

X González: Standing Up for Gun Control

In 2018, X González survived a school shooting at her high school in Parkland, Florida. After the attack, González became one of the most prominent voices in the fight against gun violence. Just days after the shooting, González became a national figure because of a powerful speech calling out U.S. politicians for continuously failing to enact meaningful gun control policies. González co-founded the March for Our Lives movement, which continues to push for gun control, and organized one of the largest youth-led protests in American history. González quickly became a powerful young activist, standing against gun violence.

I wrote more about the March for Our Lives movement in one of my recent blog posts. Read all about it here.

How You Can Make a Difference:

Both of these powerful young activists demonstrate that anyone can make meaningful change in the world regardless of age. Want to make your own change? Here are some ideas of how you can get started:

• Find your passion: What issues matter the most to you? Climate change, voting rights, gender equality?
• Start small: Join local organizations or spread awareness through conversation with your peers.
• Use social media: Share reliable information and connect with other activists.
• Take action: Volunteer, organize events, write to elected officials. Small efforts can contribute to big movements.
• Stay Persistent: Change takes time. Even if progress feels slow, keep pushing forward.

Whether it’s standing up for LGBTQ rights, fighting for the environment, or pushing for abortion rights, the world needs your voice now more than ever. You could be the next iconic activist. If you’re ready to take action, let me know how you plan to make a difference in the comments!