Table of Contents

1. Malala Yousafzai by: Ms. Borges

2. Sophie Cruz by: Carter

3. Samantha Smith by: LizaJane

4. Iqbal Masih by: McKena

5. Ruby Bridges by: Mia

6. Bana al-Abed by: TayRon

7. Anoyara Khatun by: Matthew

8. Xiuhtezcatl Martinez by: Zachary

9. Mari Copeny by: Briley

10. Hailey Fort by: Brogan

11. Mikaila Ulmer by: Alexis

12. Ann Makosinski by: Maria

Table of Contents

13. Ryan Hreljac by: Elijah

14. Yash Gupta by: Jesus

15. Jack Andraka by: Aidyn

16. Mary Grace Henry by: Luke

17. Elif Bilgin by: Edwin

18. Katie Stagliano by:Lilah

19. Cassandra Lin by: Emma

20. Easton LaChappelle by: Bohdan

21. Boyan Slat by: Cannen

22. Gitanjali Rao by: Mayte

23. Alex Deans by: Johnny

Dedication:

Malala Yousafzai

Ms.Borges’ fifth grade class would like to dedicate our book to all the people and children who are working tirelessly and persistently to change the world. It is by their selfless actions that great improvements are coming to our world. Whether it be cleaning up pollution from the oceans, providing clean water, food and shelter to those without, trying to prevent a war or fighting for equal education, they are the movers and shakers who are rocking our world to it’s core hoping for a better tomorrow.

We appreciate and admire the risks taken and hope to be the next moving forces for change.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai wanted all people to have equal access to education, but political extremists in her country of Pakistan wanted to limit education by using violence. So when these extremists tried to silence Malala, her voice and her message became louder. The, Malala became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and speak in front of the United Nations. She continues to advocate for education all around the world.

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Sophie Cruz

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Sophie Cruz, age 8, was born in Los Angeles, California and wanted her undocumented parents to be able to stay in the United States of America. So she wrote a letter to the Pope and is fighting to ensure that the DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) program continues. She was invited to visit President Obama and has inspired others to make their voices heard.

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Samantha Smith

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Samantha Smith, a girl from Maine. She wanted to prevent a war between America and Russia. But everyone was scared of Russia. So Samantha wrote a letter to the leader of Russia and got no response. She wrote another letter to the Soviet Embassy in Washington D.C and received an response that said “there would be no war”. Then Samantha became a peace activist who helped the relationship between the United States and Soviet Union in the 1980’s. Then Samantha sadly died in an airplane crash on August 25, 1985, when she was only 13 years old.

Iqbal Masih

Ruby Bridges

Iqbal Masih, from Pakistan, was forced into child labor when he was only four years old. When it was declared as law that forced labor was illegal in Pakistan, Iqbal escaped. When he told a police officer about the carpet factory he was forced to work at, he was taken back to the factory. Iqbal decided to escape again, but this time he went straight to the Bonded Labour Liberation Front School for former child slaves. He helped over 3,000 Pakistani children that were in bonded labor escape to freedom and gives speeches about child labor throughout the world.Unfortunately, Iqbal died at age 12, due to violence in Pakistan. Before his death, Iqbal visited Broad Meadows Middle School in Massachusettsand spoke to 7th graders about his life. When the students learned of his death, they decided to raise money and build a school in his honor in Kasur, Pakistan.

Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges, from Mississippi, wanted black and white people to go to the same school, but the government had put up posters saying black people should not go to white schools. So, at 6 years old she took a test and was admitted to the local white school. Despite many not wanting her to attend, she did so anyway to show them she wasn’t afraid of them. It was a hard time for her, since only one teacher was willing to teach her. Then in 1998 she started the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance, respect and appreciation of all people. In 2010, Ruby had a 50th year reunion at William Frantz Elementary and continues to advocate through her foundation.

Bana al-Abed

Anoyara Khatun

Bana al-Abed is a young girl from Aleppo, Syria. She wanted people around the world to know about the airstrikes on her town, but no one was listening. So Bana started he own Twitter page that helped spread her experiences and story. She went viral! She had to flee Syria and moved to Turkey as a refugee. She currently takes part in refugee advocacy efforts and is writing a book.

Anoyara Khatun is a Sandeshkhali Indian. She wants to end child trafficking. When she was 12 years old she was kidnapped and forced to be a maid. After she was saved, she spoke out about child trafficking. She attends the Every Woman, Every Childpress briefings at the Yale Club with Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. She became known as a hero in her village and conducts multiple awareness activities and discusses child safety. She has helped reunite more than 180 trafficked children with their families, prevented 35 child marriages and rescued 85 children from child labor. Anoyara continues her work today and keeps a watchful eye on shady groups that might exploit child labor and child marriages.

Anoyara Khatun

Anoyara Khatun is a Sandeshkhali Indian. She wants to end child trafficking. When she was 12 years old she was kidnapped and forced to be a maid. After she was saved, she spoke out about child trafficking. She attends the Every Woman, Every Childpress briefings at the Yale Club with Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. She became known as a hero in her village and conducts multiple awareness activities and discusses child safety. She has helped reunite more than 180 trafficked children with their families, prevented 35 child marriages and rescued 85 children from child labor. Anoyara continues her work today and keeps a watchful eye on shady groups that might exploit child labor and child marriages.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

Mari Copeny

Xiuhtezcati Martinez, from Colorado, wanted to help the environment and slow down climate change, but the government was ignoring any responsibility for the changes in the climate. So he spoke before the United Nations General Assembly and created the Earth Guardians organization. He began by picking up coal ashes and cleaning up parks, which led to him helping with a youth-led lawsuit against the Federal Government. The lawsuit stated that they are denying people’s right to life, liberty, and property by ignoring climate change. Xiuhtexcati travels educating others on environmental issues.