Lessons in Heroism From Tenacious Teens

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.

• Avi Schiffmann: Never underestimate the power of the individual
• Chayton Remle: But that said, no one has to go it alone
• Cameron Davis: Turns out, we parents do matter
• Sophia Moser: You have to meet people where they are
• Daniela Cortez: Make it personal
• Maya Milton: Don’t lose hope, especially when the world seems at its most intolerant
• Anya Shukla and Kathryn Lau: Remember that you can’t eat an elephant in one bite
• LaShaiah Dickerson: Let discomfort be your guide — and a goad to action

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.