Previously, actions by young female activists have flown under the radar. Yet, they are now making headlines globally.
These brave young women are using their voices and demanding change in the environment, education, and politics. Here are some of the most popular young activists who are making their mark on history.
Malala Yousafzai: 1997 –
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education advocate. At 15, she was shot by a Taliban gunman while campaigning for her right to an education. She survived and came west to share her heroic story.
Yousafzai continues to be a fearless human rights activist and a proponent of education for girls and women everywhere. She made history by being the youngest recipient to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at 17.
Emma Gonzalez: 1999 –
Emma Gonzalez was 18 years old when she shot to fame due to a horrific incident. She and her fellow survivors led mass protests calling for gun law reform in the US after a former student shot and killed 17 of her schoolmates at her Florida high school.
The gun control activist gave a speech that was heard around the world and left many in tears. “Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds. The shooter has ceased shooting … and walk free for an hour before arrest. Fight for your lives before it's someone else's job,” she said.
Ahed Tamimi: 2001 –
Ahed Tamimi is a young political activist who became famous when images and videos of her slapping an Israeli soldier went viral. She comes from the village of Nabi Salih in the occupied West Bank of the Palestinian territories.
Tamimi was arrested and imprisoned for her actions against the soldier. Upon her release, she intensified her commitment to the struggle for Palestinian rights. She uses her fame to speak on international platforms about the plight of the Palestinian people.
Greta Thunberg: 2003 –
Greta Thunberg, 17, a Swedish environmental activist, has gained international recognition for highlighting the fact that humanity faces an existential crisis arising from climate change.
Thunberg speaks with passion and does not mince her words when talking about climate change. She launched her “Friday for Future” movement, initiating school strikes. She also encourages students around the world to demand action from their governments.
Marley Dias: 2005 –
Marley Dias founded #1000blackgirlbooks and launched a campaign in 2015, at age 12. She collected and donated 1,000 books featuring black girls as the main characters to her fellow students. She released her book, “Marley Dias Gets it Done: And So Can You!”
Dias also made it on the list: Forbes 2018 “30 Under 30.” At the Forbes' Women Summit in New York City, Dias said that she is “working to create a space where it feels easy to include and imagine black girls and make black girls like me the main characters of our lives.”
These young women prove that age doesn't count when your heart and mind have a common goal in making the world a better place.
