inspirational youth



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Michigan eLibrary



Supporting Michigan Libraries - 11/16/2023

Short on Years—Long on Inspiration

4 teens hold up another teen

In a time when we could all use a little bit of inspiration, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) [ [link removed] ] provides true accounts of kids taking courageous action.  Merriam Webster defines the word "inspiring" as “having an animating or exalting effect.” 

The "Activists and Reformers "category within Biography Reference Center [ [link removed] ]  features individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world.  Iqbal Masih [ [link removed] ] was 4 years old when he was sold into modern day slavery working 12 hours a day in a Pakastani carpet factory.  After spending 6 harrowing years hunched over a loom, he snuck away from the factory and attended a rally sponsored by the Bonded Labor Liberation Front and spoke about his experience as a child slave.  This initial act was the beginning of a 2-year crusade resulting in the heightened awareness of child slavery and the release of thousands of children before his death at age 12.  Additional resources on Iqbal’s life and his incredible impact can be found with a simple name search in Explora for Public Libraries [ [link removed] ]. 

Environmental activist, Greta Thunberg [ [link removed] ], was only 15 years old when she began protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament building in 2018.  EBSCO’s K-8 eBook Collection [ [link removed] ] offers titles detailing Greta’s tireless work in speaking truth to power about the realities of climate change and boldly demanding adults act now for the sake of future generations.  For those  interested in learning more about her work and the larger climate change debate Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints [ [link removed] ] provides a vast array of journal articles, videos, and news articles.

Since 2005, the organization Kid's Rights [ [link removed] ] has been awarding the International Children’s Peace Prize to young change makers across the globe.  The eBook "You Can Too! Change the World" [ [link removed] ] highlights the inspiring accomplishments of children such as Kesz Valdez [ [link removed] ], who began giving away flip flops to kids living on the streets of his city in the Philippines when he was just 7 years old or Chaeli Mycroft [ [link removed] ], the first female quadriplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro.  She also launched the "Chaeli Campaign", which provides free physical therapy, equipment, and inclusive classrooms to other kids with disabilities in South Africa who wish to gain their own sense of freedom.

May we all be moved to take a cue from the youngest among us who have demonstrated the importance of investing in something larger than oneself and acting despite the odds.

*If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact **[email protected]* <[email protected]>* for help.*



Brought to you by Heather Wood-Gramza from the MeL Team

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ], or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery [ [link removed] ]. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. 

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

The MeL project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

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