The Next Generation

July 3rd, 2018

I mentioned yesterday that the last section of the book I’m working on is about cultivating nascent communities. Part of that is investing in the next generation. How does a community bring in new energy? How do they invest now in future leaders?

I came across this quote by Cecile Richards, the former head of Planned Parenthood. In an interview on Mother Jones from April, she says:

“Back when I started, it seemed like every event I went to for Planned Parenthood, someone, an older woman usually, would stop me and say, ‘Where are the young people? I feel like we did all this, we fought for their rights. They’re just taking it for granted.’

I never hear that anymore, because young people are everywhere at Planned Parenthood. Again, I think that’s just something that takes time. It takes resources. Takes investment. And it takes a willingness for people to let young people lead.”

Enabling young leaders was top of mind for me this past week after 28 year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her Democratic Primary against a 10-term incumbent.

Alexandria’s victory speech

Let’s not sit and wait for new leaders to spring from the soil. Cultivate them for your community, for our country. Invest.