One Makes the Difference

I first learned about Julia Butterfly Hill in high school. In 1996 she made headlines for an almost 800 day tree sit in a California Redwood tree. Her first book Legacy of Luna, describes her experience and the events in her life that lead to her becoming an environmental activist.
The thing that impressed me most all those years ago was her confidence that one young woman (she was 26 at the time) could make a difference. So often young people are discouraged from speaking out, their opinions are discounted as naive and unrealistic, and in the process we teach them that they can't change anything.
Julia Butterfly Hill is a example to the contrary. As a young woman she refused to take no for an answer and used nonviolent protest methods to raise awareness for a cause close to her heart. There were setbacks. She needed help and there were times when she thought she might not succeed, but by persevering in a way that only a young, idealistic person can, she managed to save her tree (Luna) and arguably more importantly she was able to raise national awareness for the preservation and conservation of the giant redwoods.
This, her second book, is meant to reach out to young people. Rather than accepting the world they are given or accepting feelings of disenfranchisement, she provides suggestions for making a difference. None of these suggestions are ground breaking.
The radical notion, to me, is the idea that anyone can truly change the world for the better. Regardless of age, gender, race or status, we all need to hear that message and to share it with each other. You can make a difference. I can make a difference. No excuses now, what we do does matter and you never know who may be watching and learning from you.
http://www.juliabutterfly.com/en/about-julia