Role Models For The Future

As mentioned in previous journals, I believe that one of the greatest challenges facing our future is climate change. Regardless of people’s conflicting (often political) views, climate change is REAL and we must take action. One of my role models in this fight against climate change is a young woman who you have probably heard of before – Greta Thunberg.

She is arguably one of the most well-known people in the world of climate change advocacy as she was only 15 when the spotlight began to shine on her. In 2018, for nearly three weeks before the Swedish election, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began to skip school to protest for lawmakers to address climate change. She would sit outside the parliament of Sweden with a sign that translates to “School Strike for Climate”. Although she was alone on the first day, people continued to join her until people all around the world began learning about her story. Even after the election, Greta skipped classes to strike on Fridays, a movement called Fridays for Future, which inspired thousands of students internationally to participate as well. Greta continued to give speeches at numerous events such as in front of the European Parliament and legislatures of multiple countries. Additionally, she gave many famous speeches at climate-change events which led to the creation of “the Greta effect”, or her influence on many people’s views or behaviors in regards to climate change. After taking a year-long gap from school, Greta returned to school and has two books and a documentary that released in 2020. 

I admire Greta’s ability to inspire others through her powerful words. I find it incredibly inspiring that she is able to convey the importance of working towards fighting climate change and is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. Recently, she gained some attention for her twitter “battle” with Andrew Tate, which only boosted my respect for her even more. I would like to emulate Greta’s drive for advocacy and inspiring youth all over the world. Alternatively, I would not take a gap-year from school, but only because I feel I am not as self-motivated as her and would lose the momentum I’ve built up for schooling over the years. Nevertheless, I am entirely inspired by Greta Thunberg and hope to one-day echo even a sliver of the impact she has on the world.

Another component of the future that needs to be addressed is overall empathy for humanity. My second role model needs no introduction– Michelle Obama.

Obviously, most known for being the first Black First Lady, Michelle Obama has done an enormous amount of good in this world. To name a few, Obama is a lawyer and has served as a role model for myself and women worldwide as she worked as an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, and much more. Though no longer in office, Michelle Obama continues to inspire across the globe through being a best-selling author as she has written numerous books, with her book Becoming breaking many book records. 

While there are many aspects of her life I most likely will not be emulating (being the First Lady), I do strive to embrace her power to motivate and inspire others. I don’t see myself writing an autobiography at this point, but I do plan on reading her books and I hope to get involved in a non-profit organization for either poverty alleviation or maybe teaching children across the world. Regardless, Michelle Obama is a phenomenal woman to look up to and I look forward to seeing what she does for the world next.