When Girls Lead

Changing the Playbook for Climate Justice

in Girlhood Studies
Author:
Tsun-Chueh Huang Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Taiwan tsunchuehhuang@gmail.com

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8385-6231
and
Emily Bent Pace University, USA ebent@pace.edu

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5700-9773
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3167/ghs.2022.150204
Keywords:
climate change activism; environmental destruction; Generation Z; girl activism; girls of color; racial diversity; social media; youth politics
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Abstract

Greta Thunberg's prominence in the climate justice movement symbolically positions girls at the epicenter of geopolitical resistance, but, while she is given immediate authority across media outlets, other girls’ visions of a more equitable future are often disregarded; this demands our careful attention. We discuss the work of five New York City-based girl activists of color engaged in this movement. We explore the ways in which their intersectional identities and social positions shape their mobilization strategies and draw connections to other popular social justice movements; their activist playbook reveals the transformative potential of intersectional feminist politics in the hands of Generation Z. These girl activists of color generate sophisticated, relational platforms for climate justice informed by the interconnected issues of racial and economic injustice.

Contributor Notes

Tsun-Chueh Huang (ORCID: 0000-0001-8385-6231) is a graduate of Peace and Justice Studies from Pace University. His research focuses on the intersection of identities, politics, and social justice. He works at the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, an INGO that works to improve children's welfare around the world. Email: tsunchuehhuang@gmail.com

Emily Bent (ORCID: 0000-0002-5700-9773) is Associate Professor in Women's and Gender Studies at Pace University. Her research interests include girl-led social justice movements, girls’ human rights, and intergenerational feminist activism within transnational contexts. Email: ebent@pace.edu

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Girlhood Studies

An Interdisciplinary Journal

Cover Girlhood Studies
Article Category:
Research Article
Page Count:
18
Keywords:
climate change activism; environmental destruction; Generation Z; girl activism; girls of color; racial diversity; social media; youth politics
Print Publication Date:
01 Jun 2022
Online Publication Date:
01 Jun 2022
Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022

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