Isra Hirsi
Born (2003-02-22) February 22, 2003 (age 20)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationBarnard College (entered Fall 2021)
Known forEnvironmental activism
MovementYouth Climate Strike
Parent(s)Ilhan Omar
Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi
RelativesSahra Noor (aunt)
AwardsBrower Youth Award (2019)

Isra Hirsi (born February 22, 2003) is an American environmental activist. She co-founded and served as the co-executive director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike.[1] In 2020, she was named in the Fortune's 40 Under 40 Government and Politics list.[2] She is the daughter of U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Early life and education

Hirsi protesting against gun violence in 2018

Hirsi was born on 22 February 2003 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the daughter of Somali American U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar[3][4][5] and Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi. At the age of 12, she was one of the participants protesting for justice for Jamar Clark at the Mall of America.[5] Hirsi attended Minneapolis South High School,[6] from which she graduated in 2021. She became involved in climate activism after joining her high school's environmental club in her freshman year.[5][7]

Hirsi attends Barnard College of Columbia University as of fall 2021.[8]

Activism

Hirsi coordinated the organization of hundreds of student-led strikes across the United States on March 15 and May 3, 2019.[4] She co-founded the U.S. Youth Climate Strike,[5] the American arm of a global youth climate change movement, in January 2019.[9][10][11] She acts as the co-executive director of this group.[5][12] In 2019, she won a Brower Youth Award.[13] That same year, Hirsi received the Voice of the Future Award.[7] In 2020, Hirsi was placed on BET's "Future 40" list.[14]

Hirsi endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[15]

Authored articles

References

  1. ^ Hatzipanagos, Rachel. "The missing message in Gen Z's climate activism". Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  2. ^ "40 under 40 Government and Politics: Isra Hirsi". Fortune. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Isra Hirsi". Brower Youth Awards. September 4, 2019. Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Isra Hirsi". The International Congress Of Youth Voices. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e Ettachfini, Leila (September 18, 2019). "Isra Hirsi is 16, Unbothered, and Saving the Planet". Vice News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  6. ^ Walsh, Jim (September 13, 2019). "'It helps a lot with climate grief': Student organizers gear up for next week's Minnesota Youth Climate Strike". MinnPost. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Vogel, Emily (October 23, 2019). "16-Year-Old Climate and Racial Justice Advocate Isra Hirsi to Be Honored as Voice of the Future (Video)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  8. ^ Keene, Houston (May 20, 2021). "Ilhan Omar's daughter, a prominent climate activist, adds communist hammer and sickle to Twitter bio". Fox News. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Cassel, Emily (September 25, 2019). "Isra Hirsi: The Climate Activist". City Pages. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  10. ^ Holthaus, Eric (March 13, 2019). "Ilhan Omar's 16-year-old daughter is co-leading the Youth Climate Strike". Grist. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Unscripted And Unstoppable: Youth Climate Activist Isra Hirsi". Teva Footwear. October 10, 2019. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Burton, Nylah (October 23, 2020). "Isra Hirsi Wants You To Join The Climate Strike On September 20". Essence. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  13. ^ "6 Exceptional Young, Female Activists Recognized for Environmental Leadership". Sustainable Brands. September 16, 2019. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "Bet Digital Celebrates Black Excellence with New Original Editorial Series". Chicago Defender. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  15. ^ Sanders, Bernie (December 7, 2019). Isra Hirsi of U.S. Youth Climate Strike Endorses Bernie Sanders for President. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.

External links

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