JANNAT NASEEM

Using her voice to raise awareness

Jannat Naseem, Grade 10, is an involved member of the PC community, and a student leader when it comes to social justice.

“I think it’s important for us to learn about social justice issues because it reminds you that you’re not the only person on the earth. There are so many people who need help, and if you can give that help by raising awareness or helping out with the issue, it will help other people and it teaches us empathy.”

“I joined JEDI because the acronym Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are all words that appeal to me. I want to help make a difference in making our community inclusive.” This year JEDI will be focusing on mental health during exams, and planning activities for significant days throughout the year such as International Day of the Girl and Black History Month.

Jannat’s involvement in social justice does not end at PC.

“I volunteer with an organization called Youth Empowering Youth, it’s a student-led Instagram page that creates posts about different social justice topics.” At a Morning Meeting Jannat shared with her PC peers the process of working with other students around the GTA, discussing which issues to highlight, and writing posts and designing art to help share their message. Their posts offer facts on timely issues and links to resources for those who want to learn more.

Jannat encourages those who want to bring attention to issues important to them to take a first step. “Don’t be afraid that you have to please everyone and that you have to get every single person to listen to you. I think that the mentality that you just want to speak about something, and you want to bring awareness to it is really important. When people hear the passion you have for the cause, they’ll just naturally listen.”