Tonight my mom showed me this video that she saw on Facebook because she thought that I would relate to it – and I did! Tonight I found my role model. It was about a woman named Severn Cullis-Suzuki and how she made a difference in the world by learning and teaching about the environment. Here is what I like the most – she started doing this when she was 9 years old. I am 9 years old too!
We watched the video on Dove’s Facebook page and it is from a they are showing role models and want to make a difference in the lives of young girls like me. This is the video about Severn.
I think that Dove made a great choice to choose Severn. At the end of the video there are some questions to think about. My mom and I read the question and talked about it. This is the question:
Even as a child, Severn understood that her opinions mattered and that she could make a difference in the world. Self-esteem is strengthened through pursuing your passions. What are your passions and how can you make them a priority in your life?
This is what I think. When we read that question and put my name in there instead, it worked too. Just like Severn, I am passionate about the environment and I am using my blog to share what I am learning and I also to share my tips about easy things that we can all do to make the world a better place. It feels good to write about why I care so much about eco things. What makes me feel even better is when I know I am making a difference because people comment and they tell me that they are using my tips and thinking about what they can do to be more eco-friendly too.
When Severn was 9 years old she started ECO – Enviromental Children’s Organization. ECO was a group of kids who were passionate about learning about the environment and sharing with other kids what they were discovering. When she was 12 years old, she and her 3 friends that founded ECO raised money themselves to travel from Canada to Brazil to “represent the voice of children” at the Earth Summit. Then she was invited to speak to the United Nations at a big meeting where there are leaders from so many countries from all over the world. These are some quotes of her speech there in 1992 that mean a lot to me:
“We are a group of 12 and 13 year olds trying to make a difference…I am fighting for my future. I am here to speak for all generations to come… I am here to speak for all the animals dying across this planet because they have nowhere else to go…animals and plants are going extict, vanishing forever…I am only a child and I don’t have all the solutions…and neither do you. If you do not know how to fix it, please stop breaking it.”
The video from this speech is here. From this speech she gave, she has been called “The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes”.
She really is a role model for me! I am so happy to have found out about her. I am going to learn more about her, her family, (her dad is David Suzuki) and what they are doing to change the world.
I want to end this post with a special note to Severn. If you are reading this, you inspire me so much. You make me believe that I can make a difference in the world. Thank you.
Great work Hannah! I love how you are helping to inspire other kids and make a difference!
Thank you Heather and Ty! I want to make a difference in the world and inspire other kids! Say hi to Jayden and Paul for me!
Hannah- this is awesome! I saw the video about Severn the other day and loved it too. She is a fantastic role model. I know that you are well on your way to being just as much of a world-changer as she is!
Hannah, the 1st time I saw Severn’s 1992 speech it brought tears to my eyes. Now after reading your post I have tears in my eyes yet again. You are a fantastic girl who clearly wants to help repair the world, leave less of a footprint and see how others are trying to do the same. It’s all about knowledge and passing on that knowledge. We are so fortunate to have communication at our fingertips where we can easily spead this knowlege. Hopefully this wanting to repair the world and leave less of a footprint will spark within more adults, teens and kids. Thanks for sharing. P.S. The kids and I picked up PVC-FREE Pencilcases and FUEL containers & fork/spoons sets. THX!
Hey Hannah,
I’m so glad that Severn’s story inspired you. Keep on doing what you’re doing as you are going to be a role model for others too!! Just thought you might want to know that Severn and her father, David Suzuki, are going to be coming to Massey Hall in Toronto to speak soon. You might enjoy it.
Thank you Julie! I want to be a role model for young girls! I will talk to my parents about to that speech! That would teach me a lot! Thank you for taking the time to write this comment, it means a lot to me.
This is fantastic and inspiring, Hannah! You are never too young to impress change in others… some people are born to lead the way, and you, young lady, have all the promise in the world! Well done, and keep it up!
It makes me feel better that young people like you want to make a difference! We are behind you all the way!
Thank you Chrissy! I’m glad that people like you think that I can make a change in the world!