A young activist’s advice for her peers | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

A young activist’s advice for her peers

A 20-year-old from Shorewood, who is a key national organizer of strikes in opposition to climate change, has advice for young people.

“Jump in and do it.” said Katie Eder, interviewing from her home in Los Angeles. She’s taking a gap period of two years between Shorewood
High School and Stanford University in California. Eder is executive director of the Future Coalition.

“Young people see a problem, and they don’t necessarily see all the obstacles to fix it,” she said. A young person can lean into that.

“We have a lot less to lose than some adults,” she said.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, she said, “because you most certainly will.”

Eder ran a non-profit all through high school, and she’s had great mentors, she said.

She also co-organized a 50-mile walk to former U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s Janesville office when she was a high-school senior. The walk was in support of gun control.

Yet she’s learned so much since then, she said.

“Two years ago, I definitely could not be doing what I’m doing today,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot of lessons.”