teen Trailblazers “I’ve been absolutely terrified 30 Fearless Girls every moment of my life and i’ve never let it keep me who changed the world from doing a single thing that i wanted to do.” before they were 20 —Georgia O’Keefe

jennifer calvert illustrated by vesna asanovic

CASTLE POINT BOOKS NEW YORK contents

Introduction...... 1 Frida Kahlo...... 63

Cleopatra...... 3 Jackie Mitchell...... 67

Joan of Arc...... 7 Anne Frank...... 71

Pocahontas...... 11 Barbara Johns...... 75

Eliza Lucas...... 15 Claudette Colvin...... 79

TEEN TRAILBLAZERS. Copyright © 2018 by St. Martin’s Press. Phillis Wheatley...... 19 Elizabeth Eckford...... 83 All rights reserved. Printed in China. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. Élisabeth Susan Eloise Hinton...... 87 Vigée-LeBrun...... 23 www.stmartins.com Samantha www.castlepointbooks.com Sybil Ludington...... 27 Reed Smith...... 91

The Castle Point Books trademark is owned by Castle Point Publications, LLC. Jane Austen...... 31 Emma Watson...... 95 Castle Point books are published and distributed by St. Martin’s Press. ...... 35 Tavi Gevinson...... 99 ISBN 978-1-250-20020-4 (trade paperback) Mary Shelley...... 39 ...... 103 Design by Katie Jennings Campbell Editorial by Monica Sweeney Anita Garibaldi...... 43 Katie Stagliano...... 107

Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Margaret Knight...... 47 Emma González...... 111 Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, Anna Elizabeth Maya Penn...... 115 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Dickinson...... 51 Jazz Jennings...... 119 First Edition: October 2018 Elizabeth Cochran, a.k.a. ...... 55 about the author 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 & illustrator...... 55 Mary Pickford...... 59 introduction “I alone cannot change the world, Changing the world sounds like a big, scary in this book were often the first of their kind, but i can cast a stone across the endeavor meant for the leaders of countries and with no one to look up to but themselves. Mary political movements. But real change is simple. It Shelley (page 39) published the first science water to create many ripples.” happens slowly, a little bit at a time. Change is not fiction novel in history, Mary Pickford (page 59) —Mother Teresa an enormous snowball charging furiously down created the movie star, and Nellie Bly (page 55) the hill—it’s the snowflakes that drift softly onto pioneered investigative journalism—all in an era the mountain. The snowball is nothing without when women were told to sit down and be quiet. them, and they are nothing without each other. Society didn’t expect much from these girls, so they had to expect more from themselves. Even the smallest actions can add up to Although we’ve come a long way, there’s still incredible change. Claudette Colvin (page 79) progress to be made and paths for new teen refused to give up her seat on a bus. Her act trailblazers to forge. “we do not need magic to change the of courage inspired the actions of others, and soon the snowball was moving toward the end The amazing young women in this book were world, we carry all the power we of the segregated bus system. Emma Watson different from each other in every way—place, need inside ourselves already: we (page 95) auditioned for a movie and brought time, and social standing. Some had the benefit to life a beloved book character. Then she of supportive parents, or the gift of talent. have the power to imagine better.” realized she could use her fame to help women Others just believed in something greater than all over the world, and the snowball started themselves. Some set out to change the world, —J. K. Rowling moving toward equality. others did it almost by accident. But every one of them was smart, creative, resilient, brave, But change can happen only when someone hopeful, and kind. And every one of them had to imagines that things can be different than they overcome obstacles like poverty, sexism, racism, are. Not everyone has the vision to strike out on war, and the inescapable specter of fear. a new path, or the strength to oppose the people who say it can’t or shouldn’t be done. Those who These teenage trailblazers are proof that anyone do are called trailblazers. They set the snowball in and everyone can change the world. The stories “Be not afraid of greatness. motion. And the world needs more of them. contained here are just the beginning. When some are born great, some you find someone or something that speaks to We’re lucky today: most women have the you, do what these brilliant girls did, and set out achieve greatness, and others freedom and confidence to move in any direction to learn more. Then take one small step in the we like. We also have those who came before us direction you want the snowball to move. Start have greatness thrust upon them.” as role models. They paved the way. But the girls today. Start before you’re ready. Just start. —William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

6 • Teen Trailblazers introduction • 1 CleopatraThe Last Active Pharaoh of Egypt Born: 69 BC • Died: 30 BC

• Became queen of Egypt when she was 18 years old • Brought peace and prosperity to Egypt during her 22-year reign • Was a brilliant political mind and take-charge leader “For her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her; but converse with her had an irresistible charm.” —Plutarch, Life of Antony Egypt: The Soap Opera Cleopatra made history for her ruthless She could have been a dazzling dame in an For all of its murder, intrigue, and romance, political tactics, sensational love life, and old Hollywood movie—larger than life and Cleopatra’s reign over Egypt could put Game of bold ambition. But these qualities were smarter than anyone in the room. Cleopatra Thrones to shame. But that’s how the Romans never without their qualifier: her gender. spoke eight languages, was beloved by her rolled. (Egypt was part of Rome, off and on.) Those history-making attributes were most subjects, and knew her way around a military Family members marrying each other to commonly assigned to men. They were operation. Her incredible library was her keep bloodlines pure wasn’t uncommon. Nor applauded in men. In a woman, they were most prized possession. With intellect, was murdering those same family members considered shocking and unbecoming. grace, and dramatic flair, she brought peace over money or power. What was a little Women could be powerful, of course, but and prosperity to Egypt and set treasonous society felt (and still feels, in some circles) an example for assassination that their power should be quiet and female leaders plot between understated. Cleopatra was neither quiet for millennia to friends? nor understated. come.

cleopatra • 3 Cleopatra was just 18 years old when predictable in its unpredictability), the new Learn from Cleopatra’s legacy: Don’t be her father died and she became queen ruler of Rome requested her presence. Not afraid to show people how smart you are, of Egypt. She had 100 years of royal only did she keep him waiting, but when she to use your intellect, to be different from ancestry to live up to, and three ambitious did arrive, it was on a gilded boat with purple other girls, to be better than the boys. siblings to contend with. One of those sails, and oars rowing to music. The woman Some people might be intimidated. Some siblings, her younger brother, ran her out knew how to make an entrance! And her plan might lash out. But the ones who matter of the country just three years into her paid off—Marc Antony was enchanted. will get you. Just rule. She fled to Syria and began raising up focus on being the an army against him. Cleopatra made one miscalculation, best you that you though. She fell as deeply for Antony can be. as he had for her. While most men were intimidated by her intellect, Marc Egypt under Cleopatra At the time, Rome was becoming increasingly Antony was her admirer and her equal. combustible thanks to a country-splitting spat He won her affection by adding scrolls to Cleopatra’s first priority was always that Egypt between leaders Julius Caesar and Pompey. her treasured library, where they spent flourish under her family’s rule. That was her Pompey sought refuge in Egypt, where evenings eating extravagant meals and guiding principle in ousting her brother, in Cleopatra’s little brother didn’t think twice reading together. They were the Romeo captivating Caesar and Antony, and in governing before having him killed. But this is where and Juliet of their time, and their love History is Written day to day. Although she had a cunning political Cleopatra and her brother differed: she gave story ended just as tragically. mind, she was a kind and empathetic queen. careful thought to every action. by the Winners When flooding from the Nile ruined food crops, Rome was still embroiled in conflict, she opened her stores of grain to all of Egypt. You might be asking yourself why Cleopatra is Cleopatra saw an opportunity in Caesar, with the heir to the empire, Octavian, always portrayed as a conniving seductress. Although Greek by birth, she learned and spoke whose large army would ensure her return to plotting against Antony and Cleopatra. the Egyptian language of her people. There’s a good reason for that: Octavian the throne. Legend has it that she wrapped They engaged in a war they couldn’t win, rewrote history. He wanted to make it clear For 22 years, she maintained Egypt’s herself in an Oriental rug she gave as a gift weakening Cleopatra’s beloved country. independence from Rome and that he was the rightful ruler, and he thought it to the Roman emperor. (This allowed her In the midst of the chaos, Antony heard a looked better if his enemy were a foreigner bolstered its economy. Her to meet him without raising any suspicions rumor that Cleopatra had died, and he love affairs are fascinating, who used her feminine wiles, rather than or getting herself killed.) Sure enough, fell on his own sword rather than live his own countryman. But it’s important but her legacy as a leader Caesar fell madly in love with the bewitching without her. Cleopatra buried her love, and businesswoman is incredible. to remember the truth—that Cleopatra Egyptian and promptly returned her to power. settled things with Octavian, put on her was an incredibly intelligent and best clothing and makeup, and committed insightful leader who made her Cleopatra’s shrewd marketing skills secured suicide. She was buried with Antony, as was country a better place to live. her power, money, and men more than once. the legacy of her family line. When Caesar was assassinated (Rome was

4 • Teen Trailblazers cleopatra • 5 JoanWar Heroine and of Saint Arc Born: 1412 • Died: 1431

• Followed her visions to lead men in battle during the Hundred Years’ War • Executed for witchcraft and dressing like a man • Canonized by the Roman Catholic Church 500 years after her death “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” —Joan of Arc

The Middle Ages weren’t easy on anyone— known today as the church’s Patron Saint no indoor plumbing, endless layers of of France. uncomfortable clothing, and a society dominated by men trying to kill each other. Joan was born to tenant farmers in So when a teenage girl told a French prince the rural French village of that God had assigned her to help him win Domrémy. For a girl born to a war that had been raging for decades, you a poor family in the 1400s, can bet that he was a little skeptical. But education wasn’t a priority— Joan of Arc would lead armies into battle, Joan never learned to read stand by the king’s side at his coronation, or write. Instead, her and give up her life for a purpose she father taught her how to believed in, all before she turned 20. It took tend to the animals, and her the Catholic Church half a millennium to mother taught her how to love recognize and appreciate Joan’s unwavering the Catholic Church. And she faith, but this remarkable young girl is did both extremely well.

6 • Teen Trailblazers joan of arc • 7 harassed.) Once there, she convinced her to fend for herself to ensure he’d keep “I was admonished to adopt Charles of her intention to see him the throne she procured for him. feminine clothes; i refused, and crowned king, as ordained by God. Charles may not have believed Joan, but he had The trials lasted a full year. At first they were still refuse. As for other avocations nothing to lose by letting her proceed public—an attempt to embarrass Charles of women, there are plenty of other with her quest. He gave the 17-year-old through his girl soldier. But when Joan was —Joan of Arc peasant girl a suit of armor and a white the picture of grace under pressure, often women to perform them.” horse and sent her into battle. annoying her questioners with clever replies, they began interrogating her in private. She By the time she was 13 years old, Joan opportunity: King Henry V of England It’s hard to imagine having the kind of was firm in her belief in God and His plan for was devout. So when she began to receive and King Charles VI of France died within unwavering faith Joan showed in following her her. Unable to prove anything except that she what she believed were messages from God months of each other, leaving an opening visions into battle, but it certainly helped her dressed as a man, the tribunal sentenced her accompanied by a bright light, she didn’t for Charles VII to reclaim the crown. see her quest through. No one could explain to burn at the stake. She was 19 years old. question her own sanity. She listened. Over how a young girl with no military experience time, the messages became clearer and more Enter: Joan and her divine guidance. In was able to lead French soldiers to victory Although Joan’s story doesn’t have a happy specific: St. Michael and St. Catherine told 1428, Joan’s visions told her to seek out time after time. She had courage and intellect, ending, her legacy of bravery and faith live on Joan that she would be the savior of France army commander Robert de Baudricourt but Joan also gave her people what they in France to this day. Her courage gave the and needed to seek out Charles VII (son of in Vaucouleurs and convince him of her needed most: hope. As the French forced the French people the hope and renewed strength the last French king). mission. He initially rejected the notion, but English to retreat, Charles cautiously followed they needed to take back their country. Joan people rallied behind her, citing a popular in her wake to Reims, where he was crowned died before the war ended, but France owes its Joan was born into the middle of the prophecy that said a maiden would come to King Charles VII of France. victory to her. Hundred Years’ War between England save France. So, the commander gave Joan and France, which a horse and sent her In the end, though, Charles let his bruised (as you can tell by to Charles with some ego get the better of him. Joan had been Joan’s Redemption the name) had been soldier escorts. captured in battle, sold to the English, and going on for quite a then handed over to the church, which tried In 1456, three years after the war’s end, while. At this point, Joan cut off her long her for crimes of witchcraft, heresy (going Charles held a new trial and declared Joan England was winning, hair and dressed as against the church), and dressing like a innocent of all charges. Nearly 500 years had invaded much a man to protect her man. (Oddly enough, they were most upset later, in 1920, the Roman of France—including mission and her virtue by the cross-dressing, which they deemed a Catholic Church Joan’s village—and had on her long journey to sin against nature.) Charles was still unsure canonized her—she claimed sovereignty the palace. (A woman of the divine origins of Joan’s mission, but became the patron over the country. But the traveling among soldiers he was certain that this young girl was a saint of France. people of France sensed an in a dress was likely to be more powerful force than he was. He left

8 • Teen Trailblazers joan of arc • 9 PocahontasAmbassador and Peacekeeper Born: 1595 • Died: 1617

• The favorite daughter of chief Powhatan • Convinced her father to have mercy on the starving Jamestown settlers • Converted to Christianity and married Englishman John Rolfe "[Pocahontas was] the instrument to preserve this colony from death, famine, and utter confusion.” —john Smith

Everyone knows the story of Pocahontas, right? Saved a man named John Smith from What’s in a Name beheading, fell in love, adopted a pet raccoon. No, wait, that was a cartoon. The real story Every once in a while, a childhood nickname is much simpler than Disney’s captivating sticks (whether we like it or not). That’s what tale of bravery, adventure, and romance. happened to Pocahontas. History has been Pocahontas claimed her place in history not calling her by her nickname—which means with courage, but with compassion. “playful little girl”—for 400 years. Those close to her also called her Matoaka, meaning Pocahontas was the favorite daughter of “bright stream between the hills,” but her chief Powhatan, who ruled over thousands birth name was Amonute. By the time of people. (The fact that she was prized she died, she had adopted an English over his 26 other children hints at how name: Rebecca. While we don’t know exceptional she was.) When English settlers much about Pocahontas, we can arrived in Powhatan’s territory, cold and guess by her nicknames that she starving, their fate fell into the hands was a bright, happy person. of the 12-year-old girl and her powerful

10 • Teen Trailblazers pocahontas • 11 father. The chief’s first thoughts were not No one clued Smith in, though. In a letter welcoming, but Pocahontas convinced him to Queen Anne, he wrote, “... at the minute “It is Pocahontas to whom my hearty and to give the newcomers a chance. of my execution, [Pocahontas] hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save best thoughts are, and have been a long mine; and not only that, but so prevailed time so entangled, and enthralled in so with her father, that I was safely conducted Having a Green to Jamestown.” After that, Pocahontas intricate a labyrinth that I [could not] Thumb Pays Off routinely visited Jamestown with food for unwind myself thereout.” the settlers. Because these first settlers As a Native American girl, —John Rolfe, in a letter confessing his love for Pocahontas had no idea how to grow their own food, her Pocahontas would have kindness saved them from starvation. been taught early on how to plant, harvest, and cook All went relatively well between the and the Native Americans didn’t last. Her food, how to collect water, tribe and the settlers until John Smith legacy of kindness, though, has lived on for and how to tend fires. The English settlers was injured and returned to England for 400 years. had been relying on food they brought with treatment. Food was harder to come by, them, rather than growing their own. That due to a drought, and relations between Truthfully, Pocahontas had to be was shortsighted, considering that when their the two groups quickly fell apart. Captain courageous as often as she was supplies ran out, they had no idea what to do. Samuel Argall decided to use the chief’s compassionate. New things could prove Without the charity of Pocahontas and her favorite daughter as leverage. He kidnapped dangerous—even life-threatening—in her tribe, the settlers would have starved. Lesson her and held her for ransom, but the chief world. For her to welcome new people and learned: it can’t hurt to know how failed to satisfy his demands. Pocahontas places as happily as she did, she needed to grow a tomato! was forced to stay among the English. to be at least a little bit brave. Her easy The Virginia Company soon realized that contentment and fearless compassion Almost always content, Pocahontas the Rolfe family was exactly the symbol of saved lives. Pocahontas shows us that eventually grew to like being with the success they needed to recruit people and you don’t have to break records, lead You probably know what comes next—the settlers—especially one in particular. money for their settlement. They packed armies, or write bestsellers to famous scene where young Pocahontas Widower John Rolfe felt the same way the Rolfes onto a ship bound for London, make your mark on the world. throws herself over John Smith at the about her. In 1614, Pocahontas converted where they were introduced to King Being kind can be enough. moment of his execution. But historians to Christianity, took the name Rebecca, James I and Queen Anne as ambassadors believe that Smith was never in danger. The and married Rolfe. Less than a year later, from Jamestown. Pocahontas easily “execution” was likely a Powhatan ritual to they welcomed son Thomas Rolfe, and endeared herself to the people of England. symbolize his death as an Englishman and a new era of peace began between the Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the trip rebirth as a member of the tribe. English and the Native Americans. home, and peace between the English

12 • Teen Trailblazers pocahontas • 13 EmmaGun Control Activist González Born: 2000

• Survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High that killed 17 • Advocates for common-sense gun control and school safety • Leading the way for her generation’s involvement in politics “We are speaking up for those who don’t have anyone listening to them, for those who can’t talk about it just yet, and for those who will never speak again.” —Emma González

Whether you’re a straight-A student or long, curly hair was too heavy for the Florida someone who regularly sleeps through heat, she used a PowerPoint presentation science class, you probably have your fair to convince her parents to let her cut it all share of school-related stress. Maybe you off. When Egypt began arresting its gay and worry about what to wear, or whether you’ll transgender citizens, Emma advocated for pass that math test. Maybe you’re facing them in her school paper as both a bisexual more serious problems, like bullying. But person and president of her high school’s Gay- 18-year-old Emma González has made it Straight Alliance club. her mission to ensure that students like you never have to worry about school shootings.

Between binge-watching Netflix and thinking about college, the bright and tenacious high school senior made a habit of standing up for what she believed in. When she decided her

110 • Teen Trailblazers emma gonzález • 111 What is Gun Control? constitutional right, and that any districts. (In other saying a word, Emma made the whole country When people like Emma say they want “gun move to regulate them is a step words, they work feel her pain and her passion. control,” they mean they want a government closer to disarming even law-abiding for you.) They are body to keep track of and regulate guns, gun owners. At this point, however, meeting with their Active shooter drills are now as common similar to the way the Motor Vehicle two-thirds of all Americans—including representatives, demanding change, and as fire drills in schools across the country, Commission tracks and regulates cars. They a slight majority of gun owners—want encouraging young people around the country but Emma wants to make them a thing of also want to ban some military-style guns (like stricter gun laws. But few people choose to to do the same. They are driving home the the past. She isn’t sitting around, waiting the ones most often used in school shootings) so get involved in politics and fight for what they importance of registering to vote and of voting for permission to make a difference. She’s that they can’t be purchased for personal use. want. Creating change is slow and difficult in every election to help create that change. leading. She’s helping people register to vote. Many countries—including Canada, Australia, work, and the adults have dropped the ball. She’s organizing events and protests. She’s and Germany—already have gun control laws, They are also organizing marches across proving that leaders can come from anywhere, and shooting deaths in those countries have That’s why Emma’s call to action is so the country. The March for Our Lives including a Florida high school. Emma has decreased dramatically as a result. powerful—she’s inspiring her generation on March 24, 2018, saw hundreds of seen the consequence of gun violence first to pick up the ball and run with it toward thousands of people come together to hand and she is doing something about it. a better future. She and her Stoneman demand that school safety become a But Emma first made national headlines in Douglas classmates are channeling their priority in Washington, DC. During the the wake of the horrific Parkland, Florida, shock and grief into creating a nationwide rally, Emma read the names of each of the Leaders of Tomorrow shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High movement. During a fiery speech just days 17 Parkland shooting victims. She then First, Emma and her friends faced gunfire. School. When an angry young man took the after the shooting, Emma said, “We are stood in silence, staring fiercely into the Then they faced the loss of their classmates and lives of 17 of her classmates and teachers, she going to be the kids you read about in the massive crowd with tears rolling down her teachers. Now, they are facing adults all over chose to stand up for them and be their voice. textbooks. Not because we are going to cheeks, for the remainder of 6 minutes and the country who dismiss them as too young Emma made her mission clear: “It should not be another statistic about mass shooting 20 seconds—the amount of time it took for and too emotional to know what they’re talking be easier to purchase a gun than it is to obtain in America, but because we are going to the shooter to take the lives of the people about. Emma says that “Adults like us when a driver’s license, and military-grade weapons be the last mass shooting…. We are going she named. we have strong test scores, but they hate us should not be accessible in civilian settings.” to change the law.” And they’re already when we have strong opinions.” But she’s not She and fellow survivors have done news making more progress than many adults The urge to fill a silence can become backing down. She and her classmates have interviews and taken to social media to shine who have tried before them. She and overwhelming in 10 seconds, let alone in more armed themselves with knowledge and their a light on the personal cost of America’s gun her fellow activists even made the cover than 4 minutes. But Emma didn’t break. 1st Amendment rights, and they are leading laws, and to demand change. of Time magazine on April 2, 2018, for She finished her speech by saying, “Fight for the way in the fight against gun violence. The sparking the #NeverAgain movement. your lives before it is someone else’s job” and mission statement for their march reads, The gun control debate has been raging walked off the stage. News outlets across the “Change is coming. And it starts now, inspired for years, and it gets especially heated as They are working hard to remind Americans country called her speech powerful and brave, by and led by the kids who are our hope for the more mass shootings take place. Many that senators and congressmen are chosen and one analyst called it “the loudest silence future. Their young voices will be heard.” These Americans believe that owning guns is their representatives for the people in their in the history of U.S. social protest.” Without brave, intelligent, and articulate teens are not letting their age stand in their way.

112 • Teen Trailblazers emma gonzález • 113 MayaEntrepreneur and Penn Environmentalist Born: 2000

• Created a line of eco-friendly clothing and accessories before she turned 13 • Donates a percentage of her profits to local charities • Has given 3 TED Talks and received commendations, awards, and a publishing deal “Women and girls must empower each other, speak life into each other, and lift each other up so that they may lift up humanity.” —Maya Penn

Have you ever gotten in trouble for asking do with her life. But her second love, fashion, too many questions? Curiosity can bother crept in when she was eight years old and took some people, but it can also lead to amazing hold of her. She began making and selling things. Alice followed hers to Wonderland headbands out of scraps of fabric she found and had the adventure of a lifetime. In our around the house, and her business took off. own world, 18-year-old Georgia native By the age of 14, she was already earning Maya Penn followed her curiosity and more money annually than the average adult. changed the way we do business. Soon after starting Maya’s first love was animation. She’s been her business, she drawing since the moment she could hold a incorporated her crayon in her hand. When she watched a TV third love: the program about animators (people who create environment. She cartoons), she knew that’s what she wanted to says, “We live in

114 • Teen Trailblazers maya penn • 115 a big, diverse, and Like Tavi Gevinson (see page 99), Maya is beautiful world, and bravely multipassionate. Instead of focusing “Be creative, be curious, and watch as your that makes me even on just one business avenue, she named her awesomeness is unleashed.” —Maya Penn more passionate to company the all-encompassing “Maya’s save it.” While doing Ideas.” Right now, her website (which she research, she learned coded and designed herself) offers eco- the smallest actions can lead to the biggest that many fabric dyes can be friendly clothing and accessories. But she’s change.” Businesses like hers recognize harmful to both humans and the planet. giving herself room to explore and grow in a shift in society. People are starting to A Very Sweet 16 She decided then to use only eco-friendly whatever direction she chooses. In fact, she’s choose ethical and sustainable products Maya’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit materials (recycled fabrics or fabrics that so passionate about following her curiosity from charitable brands over what’s cheap caught the attention of some pretty important are manufactured in an eco-conscious way). that she gave a TED Talk on the subject (one and convenient. people in 2016. That year, she received a She also decided that a portion of her profits of three, so far) that’s been viewed more than commendation from President should give back to the world from which we 1.5 million times! (TED talks are inspiring People like Maya for outstanding achievement in environmental take so much, so she donates 10 percent to lectures that are shared online under the are transforming the stewardship and the local charities. slogan, “ideas worth spreading.”) way we think about A.N.G.E.L (Advancing Nonviolence through work. By successfully Generations of Exceptional Leadership) While this might seem like a perfectly pursuing all of her Award. In addition, made her logical concept—especially for a 17-year- passions—animation, Partners in Curiosity a member of the Supersoul 100, which is a old—we’ve only recently come to accept entrepreneurship, and group of “awakened leaders who are using Luckily for Maya, her parents always multipassionate people like Tavi and Maya. environmentalism—she their voices and talents to elevate humanity.” encouraged her curiosity. When she expressed Conventional wisdom used to tell us that is proving that you And if all of that isn’t enough, 2016 was also an interest in fashion, her mother taught her you had to pick one path and stick to it for don’t have to choose. As Maya says, “It’s the year Maya published her inspiring book, how to sew. When she was curious about the rest of your life. You were a doctor, important to encourage girls to follow You Got This!: Unleash Your Awesomeness, technology, her father taught her how to take or a teacher, or a veterinarian, and any their passion, and to be changemakers and Find Your Path, and Change Your World. apart and rebuild a computer. Without their pursuits outside of your chosen career were creative thinkers. They can do anything if Can you imagine a better way to support, Maya may not have had the courage called hobbies. Changing jobs used to be they just believe in themselves.” celebrate your 16th birthday than by to act on her ideas. considered flaky, and changing careers was And as traditional jobs changing the world? almost unheard of. disappear, forging your If you’re passionate about something, don’t be own path becomes the afraid to seek out like-minded people. Ask a The old business model was also focused on smart move. Curiosity teacher to mentor you, or your friends to help profits over principles. But Maya, like many and flexibility are you. Sure, you can go it alone. But everything business owners these days, thinks you can superpowers in a world is easier when you have a little support. have both. She also thinks it’s important that keeps changing. to try, saying, “I may be one person, but

116 • Teen Trailblazers maya penn • 117 JazzAdvocate for Transgenderjennings Rights Born: 2000

• One of the youngest people to be formally recognized as transgender • Fought for her right to use the girls’ bathroom and play on the girls’ soccer team • Has dedicated her life to advocating for trans kids “be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” —Dr. Seuss

Has anyone ever told you to “just be than that. She says, “Ever since I could form yourself”? It’s important advice, but it’s coherent thoughts, I knew I was a girl trapped also easier said than done sometimes. inside a boy’s body. There was never any Maybe you’re afraid people will think confusion in my mind. The confusing part you’re a nerd for loving Star Wars. Or maybe you’ve stopped smiling because you’re self-conscious about your What is Gender Dysphoria? braces. When those fears come up, just Gender dysphoria is the scientific diagnosis given remember that Dr. Seuss quote. Those to people who are transgender. It means that they are the words Jazz Jennings turns to feel deeply and constantly uncomfortable with the when she starts to worry about what gender they were born with. Instead, they identify others think. with the opposite gender, often feeling like they’re in the wrong body, or that who they are inside From the moment she learned to talk, Jazz doesn’t match what they look like outside. Imagine made it clear to her parents that she was how you would feel if you woke up tomorrow in different. Jazz herself knew even earlier someone else’s body, and only you knew the truth.

118 • Teen Trailblazers jazz jennings • 119 was why no one else could see what was playing dress-up. The truly unkind ones Jazz has spent so much of her life helping wrong.” When she was just three years old, call her a “freak.” But from a young age, people understand trans issues and letting a psychiatrist confirmed what Jazz knew: Jazz learned to fight for her right to live them get to know her as a normal (though she was transgender. life as her true self. At eight years old, very smart, brave, and articulate) young she began a two- woman. Why does she do it? She answers, When Passion At first, the confirmation was a relief to year-long battle to “When I leave, I want the world to be in Jazz and her parents. There was a name be allowed to play for a better state than when I arrived. I have Meets Purpose for what she felt. She wasn’t the only the girls’ soccer team. made it my mission to contribute to that Jazz, who has always loved mermaids, started one who felt this way. Jazz’s parents were When she was nine, change in any way I can.” And it seems like handcrafting her own tails to swim with incredibly supportive and allowed her to she sent a video plea to she finds new ways every day. when she was eight years old. At thirteen, she fully transition when she President Obama to be decided to use her tail-making skills to raise turned five, so that she allowed to use the girls’ Being different can be scary. But at the money for the TransKids Purple Rainbow could have a fresh start bathrooms. These are the end of the day, the only opinion of you that Foundation, an organization created by her in her new school. But kind of simple, everyday matters is your own. So, you do you! family to educate the public and support Jazz still had an uphill things we often take for And if you help others feel included transgender children. Each tail sold was battle ahead of her. granted, but that trans and understood whenever you can, handmade from premium silicone (to give kids have to fight for. you too will have left the world in a the wearer a real mermaid experience) and better state than when you arrived. airbrushed in beautiful colors. Jazz believes that educating the public is Does It Really Matter? the best way to defend against the kind of Have you ever thought about combining Because she has had to deal with so many big, bullying and ignorance she’s encountered. “I’m willing to something you love to do with a cause you real-world issues, Jazz learned that all of the That’s why she and her family never shied believe in? You could share your love drama and gossip of middle school and high away from the spotlight. Jazz gave her sacrifice my of reading with the little ones at your school weren’t worth her time. Her motto is, first of many interviews when she was library’s story time. Or sell homemade “Is it going to matter in twenty years? Yes or six years old—to no less than famous privacy if it cookies to raise money for the no?” If the answer is no, she moves on. journalist Barbara Walters! Her YouTube animal shelter. There are channel, where she shares her very normal means making a plenty of ways to make a life as a teenage girl, led to not one but difference and enjoy doing it! Many people aren’t as two similarly themed television shows. She difference and understanding as the Jennings regularly attends and speaks at events as a helping other about what it means to be champion of the LGBTQ community. She transgender. Some think was also named one of Time magazine’s 25 people out there it’s a choice or a phase, that Most Influential Teens in 2014. a girl like Jazz is just a boy who might be struggling.” —Jazz Jennings

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