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Heroes

Lauren Leander is a hero and everyone should know her name

Lauren Leander is a hero and everyone should know her name
via Monroe Gallery / Twitter

Hundreds of people gathered at the Arizona State Capitol on Monday to protest Governor Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order that closed non-essential businesses in March.

The protesters waved pro-Trump flags and held up banners that read, "Give me liberty or give me COIVD-19," "Cure is worse than the virus," and "Make America work again."

Apparently, no one told the protesters that Donald Trump is in favor of the stay-at-home order and that he also doesn't really like liberty.


One of the most powerful images taken at the rally was of Lauren Leander, an intensive care nurse at a hospital in Phoenix. In the photo, she stands firmly in her protective gear as a protester looks like he wants to whack her over the head with ol' glory. Another photo of her and her colleagues standing strong in the face of anti-vaxxers is striking as well.

Leander had the day off from work at the hospital so she decided to show up at the rally to represent the workers who are risking their lives on the front lines. "That was the kind of action we could take against something like this," Leander said, according to Arizona Central.

Leander and a handful of medical professionals stood strongly and silently at the rally while an angry mob yelled vicious attacks at them. The protesters accused Leander and her colleagues of not really being nurses and claimed they were possibly abortionists or dental assistants instead.

That's probably because if the protesters believed they were berating front-line healthcare workers then they'd have to accept the fact that they are terrible people. Who the hell has any right to scream at a nurse who's saving lives during a pandemic?

"The noise was deafening," Leander said according to ABC 15. "But we were there to be a voice for our patients and the immunocompromised and the people who are sick with COVID that would be out there fighting with us if they could, asking people to follow the stay-at-home rules."

"It doesn't matter if you believe in the virus or not. I'm going to take care of you one way or the other," she said. "It was sad to see people throw insults that, number one, didn't make sense and number two, didn't align with us as health workers," she said.

Although she endured abuse at the rally, the photos of her standing in defiance went viral and she has received messages of support from people across the world.

"I feel proud because it's not just me. It's me and it's my doctors and all the healthcare workers that would've been out there with me if we could've had time to rally a bigger group together," said Leander.

Arizona governor Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order is in place until April 30, and there has yet to be an announcement on what will happen May 1.

Leander and her colleagues' bold stance in the face of the protesters showed the world that when people fight social distancing, they are directly attacking America's healthcare workers and most vulnerable citizens.

Lauren Leander is a hero and everyone should know her name.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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This validates my burn out, right? #momtok #momsoftiktok #sahm #boymom #toddlermom #toddlersoftiktok #3under5

@jothemama

This validates my burn out, right? #momtok #momsoftiktok #sahm #boymom #toddlermom #toddlersoftiktok #3under5

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