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Lessons in Heroism From Tenacious Teens

Local young change-makers inspire us in the present — and give us hope for the future

Patty Lindley
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Published on: March 31, 2022

Asian American youth shown in profile in a park-like setting with trees in the background
Photo:
Leohoho/Unsplash

Teens take action

Over the past four years, ParentMap has partnered with the Gates Foundation Discovery Center to spotlight the stories of young change-makers from the Greater Seattle area. I have had the good fortune to interview many of these fine young people myself, and have consistently been energized and moved by their tireless efforts to work for change and justice in a world continually beset by too many societal and existential ills to count.

The stories of these tenacious teens remind us that we all have the capacity to make a difference. Here are a few key lessons I have learned from some of the inspirational young superheroes ParentMap has interviewed for the series over the years.

As parents, we can be some of the first and best models of heroism to our children. We can teach them that inaction is not an option, that courage starts as a small spark that can grow exponentially, that empathy for and service to others are nonnegotiable aspects of family and community life.

Discover more tenacious teens, amazing organizations and dozens of ways your family can give back

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