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I am taking my kids, both my son and my daughter, to the Women’s March in Ottawa on Saturday, January 19, 2019 because I want them to know that they both deserve a seat at the table.  I want them to know what tools are available to them in their social justice toolbox.  I want them to know that they have the power to get involved in whatever cause inspires them.  I want them to be confident leaders and engaged citizens.

I want my kids to know that they can organize and lead a March like the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High did after the mass shooting at their school. 

Read this article as a great summary of the students’ amazing work immediately after the mass shooting:

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-the-survivors-of-parkland-began-the-never-again-movement

I want my kids to know that they can address the UN about climate change like 15-Year-Old Activist Greta Thunberg did recently, saying:

“For 25 years, countless people have come to the U.N. climate conferences begging our world leaders to stop emissions, and clearly that has not worked as emissions are continuing to rise. So I will not beg the world leaders to care for our future,” Greta, who is from Sweden, said. “I will instead let them know change is coming whether they like it or not.”

Read this article to learn more about Greta:

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/15-year-old-activist-greta-thunberg-schooled-world-leaders-climate-change-united-nations-summit?verso=true&fbclid=IwAR06g9Y-A17itOUgZfDSY-NQcCTDsTDE6SFZq96ht3PKjO_1H3FBtbUzwe0

And I want my kids to know they can address the UN like 13-Year-Old Activist Autumn Peltier did, advocating for clean drinking water in First Nations communities and across Mother Earth.

Check out this post to watch Autumn address the UN:

Autumn Peltier is a 13-year-old Anishinaabe girl from Wikwemikong First Nation. She advocates for clean drinking water…

Posted by World-Changing Kids on Thursday, March 22, 2018

I want them to know all this now, when they are young, because I am just learning it for myself now, at 40 years old!  I grew up hearing messages from society that my role was to help where I could, but to not be too loud about it.  My role was to be a good hostess and make sure all my guests are always happy.  My role was to stay in the background supporting others – you wouldn’t want to step into the spotlight or talk about yourself too much for fear of seeming like you were bragging or being an attention hog.

Imagine what our kids will be able to achieve if they don’t have to work through all those negative beliefs – if they can get right to their world-changing work!  I really believe that the youth know what needs to be done.  They are still idealistic and optimistic and passionate.  They have not been weighed down by responsibilities and disappointment and resentment.  They have not been corrupted by power and money.  It is our job to help guide them and then get out of their way.  And if I need to be loud in order to do that, then so be it!