Time Magazine’s first-ever “Kid of the Year” is offering advice to others who want to help solve some of the biggest issues facing her generation.
At just 15 years old, young scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao is being recognized for her use of technology to address contaminated drinking water, opioid addiction, and cyberbullying.
Rao told actor and activist Angelina Jolie everyone can make a difference.
“Like, we’re sitting here in the middle of a new global pandemic, and we’re also like still facing human-rights issues. There are problems that we did not create but that we now have to solve, like climate change and cyberbullying with the introduction of technology,” Rao said.
She added, “I think more than anything right now, we just need to find that one thing we’re passionate about and solve it. Even if it’s something as small as, I want to find an easy way to pick up litter. Everything makes a difference. Don’t feel pressured to come up with something big.”
Jolie noted there are not many women in the science and technology fields.
She asked Rao if that affects her in any way.
“I don’t look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it’s an older, usually white man as a scientist. It’s weird to me that it was almost like people had assigned roles, regarding like their gender, their age, the color of their skin,” Rao said.
She continued, “My goal has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world’s problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because, from personal experience, it’s not easy when you don’t see anyone else like you. So I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it.”
Time published its “100 Most Influential People of 2020” post in September, as IJR previously reported. Among those selected include President Donald Trump, President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).