Isra Hirsi
Isra Hirsi (born February 22, 2003) is an American environmental activist. She co-founded and previously served as the co-executive director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike.[1]
Isra Hirsi | |
---|---|
Born | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | February 22, 2003
Known for | Environmental activism |
Home town | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Movement | Youth Climate Strike |
Parent(s) | Ilhan Omar Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi |
Relatives | Sahra Noor (aunt) |
Awards | Brower Youth Award (2019) |
Early life and activism
Hirsi grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is the daughter of the U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar[2][3][4] and Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi. At the age of 12, she was one of the participants protesting for justice for Jamar Clark at the Mall of America.[4] Hirsi is currently a student at Minneapolis South High School.[5] She became involved in climate activism after joining her high school's environmental club in her freshman year.[4][6]
Hirsi has coordinated the organization of hundreds of student-led strikes across the United States on March 15 and May 3, 2019.[3] She co-founded the U.S. Youth Climate Strike,[7] the American arm of a global youth climate change movement, in January 2019.[8][9][10] She acts as the co-executive director of this group.[4][11] In 2019, she won a Brower Youth Award.[12] That same year, Hirsi received the Voice of the Future Award.[6] In 2020, Hirsi was placed on BET's "Future 40" list, which is a list of “40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards who are redefining what it means to be unapologetically young, gifted & black”.[13] Hirsi gave her first TEDx talk entitled "Angry Black Girl" on February 22, 2020.[14] She drew distinction between herself and mainstream liberalism, generally expressing left-wing viewpoints.[15]
Authored articles
- Fernands, Maddy; Hirsi, Isra; Coleman, Haven; Villaseñor, Alexandria (March 7, 2019). "Adults won't take climate change seriously. So we, the youth, are forced to strike". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- Hirsi, Isra (March 25, 2019). "The climate movement needs more people like me". Grist.
References
- Hatzipanagos, Rachel. "The missing message in Gen Z's climate activism". Washington Post. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- "Isra Hirsi". September 4, 2019.
- "Isra Hirsi". THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF YOUTH VOICES. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- Ettachfini, Leila (September 18, 2019). "Isra Hirsi is 16, Unbothered, and Saving the Planet". Vice.
- Walsh, Jim (September 13, 2019). "'It helps a lot with climate grief': Student organizers gear up for next week's Minnesota Youth Climate Strike". MinnPost. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Vogel, Emily (October 23, 2019). "16-Year-Old Climate and Racial Justice Advocate Isra Hirsi to Be Honored as Voice of the Future (Video)". TheWrap. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Ettachfini, Leila (September 18, 2019). "Isra Hirsi Is 16, Unbothered, and Saving the Planet". Vice. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- Emily Cassel (September 25, 2019). "Isra Hirsi: The Climate Activist". City Pages. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- Eric Holthaus (March 13, 2019). "Ilhan Omar's 16-year-old daughter is co-leading the Youth Climate Strike". Grist. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "Teva Blog | Ember - Unscripted and Unstoppable: Youth Climate Activist Isra Hirsi". Teva.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "Isra Hirsi Wants You To Join The Climate Strike On September 20". Essence. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "6 Exceptional Young, Female Activists Recognized for Environmental Leadership". Sustainable Brands. September 16, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- "BET DIGITAL CELEBRATES BLACK EXCELLENCE WITH NEW ORIGINAL EDITORIAL SERIES". Chicago Defender. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- "TEDxWakeForestU | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- hirsi, isra (April 23, 2020). "imagine being a liberal in 2020..." @israhirsi. Retrieved June 1, 2020.