Last week, I read the story of an 11 year old girl who went to the School Board to fight a chapstick ban at her school. For years, the girl suffered from dry, bleeding lips- and yet she couldn’t use chapstick at school. She started a petition at school, got her Girl Scout Troop and others to sign it. Read about Grace’s story here: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/14/virginia-girl-fights-chapstick-ban-before-school-board/
At the time, I thought it was an amazing story of student advocacy. Often, students don’t realize how much they can affect their world positively. With a meaningful stand, a good cause, and forward thinking… kids can change their world.
The story got better tonight when I read a follow-up here: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/15/teenage-entrepreneur-who-created-lip-balm-brand-lends-support-to-girl-banned/.
Grace received a care package in the mail of 300 lib balms. They came from a girl named Lily who started her own lip balm company with her sister when they were 10 and 9. They created their own recipe: “The girls began researching lip treatments already on the market and used their kitchen stove to create an all-natural lip balm that provides SPF and is free of petroleum and paragons.” Just a few years later, this is a million dollar business. Who said kids can’t change the world?
My favorite quote:
The idea for Lily and her sister’s lip balm was conceived in 2007 when their mother, Renee Sandler, read an article in the Wall Street Journal that said only 12 CEOs leading the Fortune 500 were women.
What other examples can you think of where preteens/teens take on a cause to better their world? What other examples do you have of teens creating their own product?
I plan to collect stories like these when explaining to kids that they really can change the world.