Interview with Lucy Ivey.
Q1: Hi! May you introduce yourself to the readers?
I’m Lucy Ivey. I’m a fifteen-year-old high school student and activist. I am the founder and executive director of Teens Speak Up, an outlet for teens worldwide to engage in dialogue about social justice issues they are passionate about. Our number one priority is to elevate the voices of teens worldwide on a multitude of issues our generation faces today. We provide a nonpartisan, vulnerable, honest, nuanced platform for dialogue to ensue. I am also the social media director at The Cure Campaign, an initiative to pass federal legislation to enlarge the national cancer research budget, and I am the director of communications at Period NYC. Period is a Non Governmental organization that fights to end period poverty through service, education and advocacy.
Q2: How did you first get the idea of creating the Teens Speak Up and what’s you all’s mission?
Lucy: Seeing the lack of intersectionality within teen activist space, made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to create a space for people of all identities, and ethnicities to feel safe, and wanted. Although Teens Speak Up isn’t as diverse as I’d like, we make it our number one priority to make sure that we take space, but then also make space, meaning that we make sure that we let those truly affected by certain issues are given the opportunities to speak up.
Q3: Can we also talk a little about your position in the period @ NYC and the Cure Inc? How did you end up getting those roles, what do you have to do, and why are those causes important to you?
Lucy: I applied for my positions at Period and The Cure and I wanted to be involved in those movements for a very long time and was super excited when I got in. in period, I was a core organizer for National Period Day, meaning I did social media, and partnerships coordinating and planned a lot of the rally! For the Cure, I am the director of social media. I plan, create and manage our Instagram, Facebook, and other channels.
Q4: You have also participated in many marches, protests, and rallies, some which take place on school days. It must be difficult to juggle school and these activities along with your jobs. How has these effected your school/social life and what do others think about it?
Lucy: It definitely can be tricky to find a balance between activism and school. Burnout is a very real thing and in result of that I have had to quit some organizations. My education is very important to me and my parents and I know that finishing high school and college will be extremely beneficial for me. In terms of rallies and protests, my parents have always been supportive of me attending them. I recently switched over to online school to focus on my work and theater so it has been a lot easier to manage everything, and I am super grateful for the privilege to be able to do online school.
Q5: Who has been your biggest supporter throughout all of this?
Lucy: Definitely my wonderful team and family and friends. I don’t know where I would be without them. They lift me up and inspire me to continue to do what I am doing. I really love them with all of my heart.
Q6: What is the big dream? Has these opportunities opened a career plan for the future?
Lucy: I really would like to go to the University of California at Santa Barbara and major in acting, and minor in Political Science. I think the arts, and activism have such a meaningful connection. Theater and storytelling is a great way to speak on issues that our generation faces today. My overall dream is to be an actress and use my platform to continue to speak on issues I am passionate about.
Q7: Any upcoming and exciting projects you are working on that we should keep an eye out for?
Lucy: Teens Speak Up has been working very hard on a few different campaigns and other things. We recently had a photoshoot for our newest campaign called “Dear Donald Trump” where girls write letters to Donald Trump about how living under his administration has affected their livelihood. We also did a video series where teens talked about how and why they speak up on issues they’re passionate about. And another video where an (incredible) indigenous activist, Stephen Baker talked about his heritage and why it is so important to him.
Q8: What advice would you give to teens who want to start out with activism?
Lucy: Don’t do this work for the wrong reasons. Activism is so important, and yes, sometimes your work gets noticed and you gain a following, and that’s great and all, but that shouldn’t be the reason you do it. To me, activism means resistance. It means not taking no for an answer, it means staying true to myself, and everything I stand for. It means taking space but then also making space meaning letting those who aren’t given the amount of exposure that they deserve, the opportunity to speak up on issues that affect them. Within the activist space, there are so many people doing things for Instagram and “clout”, don’t do that, it’s just not right.
Q9: What advice would you give to teens in general about life, school, friendships, etc.?
Lucy: Be yourself. I know that’s cliche (haha) but seriously, it’s so important. There are gonna be people in the world who don’t like you, that’s just part of life, but don’t let that be a reason to not be yourself. You matter. Remember that.
Lastly: Any last things you would like to add?
Lucy: Be sure to check out Teens Speak Up at www.teensspeakup.com and follow us on Instagram @teensspeakup as well as myself! @ilovelucyivey !!
I’m Lucy Ivey. I’m a fifteen-year-old high school student and activist. I am the founder and executive director of Teens Speak Up, an outlet for teens worldwide to engage in dialogue about social justice issues they are passionate about. Our number one priority is to elevate the voices of teens worldwide on a multitude of issues our generation faces today. We provide a nonpartisan, vulnerable, honest, nuanced platform for dialogue to ensue. I am also the social media director at The Cure Campaign, an initiative to pass federal legislation to enlarge the national cancer research budget, and I am the director of communications at Period NYC. Period is a Non Governmental organization that fights to end period poverty through service, education and advocacy.
Q2: How did you first get the idea of creating the Teens Speak Up and what’s you all’s mission?
Lucy: Seeing the lack of intersectionality within teen activist space, made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to create a space for people of all identities, and ethnicities to feel safe, and wanted. Although Teens Speak Up isn’t as diverse as I’d like, we make it our number one priority to make sure that we take space, but then also make space, meaning that we make sure that we let those truly affected by certain issues are given the opportunities to speak up.
Q3: Can we also talk a little about your position in the period @ NYC and the Cure Inc? How did you end up getting those roles, what do you have to do, and why are those causes important to you?
Lucy: I applied for my positions at Period and The Cure and I wanted to be involved in those movements for a very long time and was super excited when I got in. in period, I was a core organizer for National Period Day, meaning I did social media, and partnerships coordinating and planned a lot of the rally! For the Cure, I am the director of social media. I plan, create and manage our Instagram, Facebook, and other channels.
Q4: You have also participated in many marches, protests, and rallies, some which take place on school days. It must be difficult to juggle school and these activities along with your jobs. How has these effected your school/social life and what do others think about it?
Lucy: It definitely can be tricky to find a balance between activism and school. Burnout is a very real thing and in result of that I have had to quit some organizations. My education is very important to me and my parents and I know that finishing high school and college will be extremely beneficial for me. In terms of rallies and protests, my parents have always been supportive of me attending them. I recently switched over to online school to focus on my work and theater so it has been a lot easier to manage everything, and I am super grateful for the privilege to be able to do online school.
Q5: Who has been your biggest supporter throughout all of this?
Lucy: Definitely my wonderful team and family and friends. I don’t know where I would be without them. They lift me up and inspire me to continue to do what I am doing. I really love them with all of my heart.
Q6: What is the big dream? Has these opportunities opened a career plan for the future?
Lucy: I really would like to go to the University of California at Santa Barbara and major in acting, and minor in Political Science. I think the arts, and activism have such a meaningful connection. Theater and storytelling is a great way to speak on issues that our generation faces today. My overall dream is to be an actress and use my platform to continue to speak on issues I am passionate about.
Q7: Any upcoming and exciting projects you are working on that we should keep an eye out for?
Lucy: Teens Speak Up has been working very hard on a few different campaigns and other things. We recently had a photoshoot for our newest campaign called “Dear Donald Trump” where girls write letters to Donald Trump about how living under his administration has affected their livelihood. We also did a video series where teens talked about how and why they speak up on issues they’re passionate about. And another video where an (incredible) indigenous activist, Stephen Baker talked about his heritage and why it is so important to him.
Q8: What advice would you give to teens who want to start out with activism?
Lucy: Don’t do this work for the wrong reasons. Activism is so important, and yes, sometimes your work gets noticed and you gain a following, and that’s great and all, but that shouldn’t be the reason you do it. To me, activism means resistance. It means not taking no for an answer, it means staying true to myself, and everything I stand for. It means taking space but then also making space meaning letting those who aren’t given the amount of exposure that they deserve, the opportunity to speak up on issues that affect them. Within the activist space, there are so many people doing things for Instagram and “clout”, don’t do that, it’s just not right.
Q9: What advice would you give to teens in general about life, school, friendships, etc.?
Lucy: Be yourself. I know that’s cliche (haha) but seriously, it’s so important. There are gonna be people in the world who don’t like you, that’s just part of life, but don’t let that be a reason to not be yourself. You matter. Remember that.
Lastly: Any last things you would like to add?
Lucy: Be sure to check out Teens Speak Up at www.teensspeakup.com and follow us on Instagram @teensspeakup as well as myself! @ilovelucyivey !!