Youth across Washington have forced their ways to the forefront of activist and advocacy work in our state. These individuals serve as powerful voices for youth who, traditionally, don’t have seats at these tables and ensure that their peers’ perspectives are recognized, represented, and considered. Members of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), are not exceptions, and none of these members have let COVID-19 stop them from doing this work.
First up is LYAC member and Tacoma resident Shae Dolan, who serves as part of the Mayor of Tacoma’s Youth Commission. Currently, Shae is working with FairVote WA, an organization that advocates for voting reform. Through FairVote, Shae is currently supporting a local options bill that would allow the city to instate ranked-choice voting! Shae has also participated in climate advocacy and has organized protests during quarantine. In regards to difficulties over quarantine, Shae said that “because there’s so much going on, it can feel like you’re not having any impact, [especially] because a lot of things are online.” But since she is a committed activist, I doubt Shae will let these obstacles stop her.
Representing Shorewood High School is LYAC member and strong activist Yubi Mamiya. Yubi is the founder of neXt, a non-profit organization that provides free and accessible educational support for elementary-age children. She has dedicated the last two years to developing an educational app. that enables students to learn and be tutored virtually. Yubi is also a Youth Ambassador for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. On the topic of COVID-19 Yubi said that “this year, the Foundation’s Discovery Center team is working to share the exhibit’s message on a virtual platform. One of these programs is the In Community We Flourish Take Action Fair and Virtual Lunchtimes Series. We’ve gathered people online to hear from inspiring young change-makers about the ways their work has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, I’ve had the pleasure to host and present at these virtual events. The resilient work that I’ve been so lucky to hear about during these events has motivated me to continue making a difference despite the challenges posed by these unprecedented times.”
LYAC member and Spokane native Ivy Pete is a grassroots organizer who does her advocacy work through The Peace and Justice Action League, an Eastern Washington advocacy coalition. The coalition’s mission is “excellence for everyone.” Ivy said that in the wake of COVID-19, her school district saw prolific racial disparities against which students and administration have taken significant actions. Despite the adversity COVID-19 has created, this summer Ivy, as part of her coalition group, managed to host a five-week social justice crash course on the basics of grassroots organizing that had 52 students virtually attend!
Although COVID-19 has added unprecedented risk to social gatherings that are so vital to the ways that advocacy work is performed, youth across Washington are adjusting and meeting these challenges with innovation. Right now, youth from across the state are finding virtual ways to impact their areas of work. By booking entire weeks out with zoom meetings, posting on social media, and discovering new ways to collaborate online, we, as youth advocates, are persisting regardless of COVID-19. We are passionate and this work is necessary, so we aren’t going anywhere.
