58 Time February 3, 2020
‘W
e need to mentor and support girls and to listento their voices and dreams.’—
Ellen Johnson SirleafLIZ SHULER
A letter to American
graduatesYOUR GENERATION HAS
ALWAYS KNOWN THAT YOU
CAN’T WAIT FOR CHANGE
TO HAPPEN. INSTEAD,
YOU SHARE PETITIONS ON
SOCIAL MEDIA, ORGANIZE
MARCHES AND MAKE
YOUR VOICES HEARD.
YOU’RE COLLABORATIVE,
CIVIC-MINDED AND
TECHNOLOGICALLY
CONNECTED, AND THAT’S
WHAT MAKES YOU STRONG.
SO JOIN US. LET’S FACE THE
CHANGING ECONOMY AND
WORKPLACE TOGETHER.
WE NEED YOUR BEST
IDEAS. LET A UNION BE
A VEHICLE FOR YOUR
BOLDEST GOALS—THE
BIGGER, THE BETTER.
Shuler is secretary-treasurer of the AFL-
CIO labor unionMmonbeydo Nadine Joah is a Liberian law student
and women’s-rights activist.the world may seem a dark and challenging place.
Every day we hear stories across the world of rape, abuse,
discrimination. We fear the climate crisis and see its
destructive reality across the globe. We see the rule of law
under attack from those meant to uphold it.
But there is so much to be hopeful about, and young
women like you give me hope. We need to mentor and
support girls and to listen to their voices and dreams. Our
women’s movements must not only represent the interests
and views of the elite but make sure all women are included,
especially those on the margins.
It may seem like a time of pushback for women’s rights
globally. And yes, we need to make sure the rights women
won over many generations are not diluted or destroyed. But
it is also a time when our collective voice is strong. It is a time
when fearless young women, such as Malala, Greta and your
self, speak truth to power and shame leaders for inaction.
Do not feel weak or discouraged when opposed. Don’t be
afraid to dream boldly or to dream what seems impossible.
Johnson Sirleaf is a former President of Liberia, a Nobel Peace
laureate and a member of the Elders
ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF
A letter to Mmonbeydo