leadership inspiration advocacy

The IGNITE Minute: Finding Grit in Times of Chaos

6/17/25 9:13 AM by Sara Guillermo

Dear friend, 

We cannot ignore the enraging and heartbreaking events going on in  Los Angeles and other cities across the United States. With Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers carrying out raids  and the National Guard being deployed, the risk of escalation is high, and Americans’ right to protest is being met with historic pushback. 

With rights and livelihoods on the line every day in this country, I find hope in the Gen Z women I see taking direct action. Senator Sasha Renée Pérez of California is an IGNITE alum working on the ground to keep her Pasadena community safe and informed. Follow her social media (@sashareneeperez) for tips that apply to all Americans, including: 

  • Call out and document when due process and legal rights are being violated. 
  • Check in on your family, friends, and neighbors. 
  • Share know your rights information (like this resource from the Immigrant Defense Project) online. Remember that due process and the right to an attorney exist for all.
  • Continue to peacefully protest and exercise your first amendment rights. 

Across the country, IGNITE young women are empowering their peers to use their voices to create safer and more equitable communities. For example, IGNITE DMV Fellow, Jay Fraser, recently led a dynamic workshop about disability rights and activism for high school students in DC. This is part of our Civic Leadership 101  workshop series, which teaches high school students how they can use advocacy to improve the challenges they face in everyday life.  

IGNITE Ohio Fellow, Grace Edwards, is another young woman who refuses to sit idly by and watch injustices take root. At last year’s IGNITE the Capitol Ohio, Grace and her Gen Z peers advocated for a bill that would improve public health in jails and prisons across Ohio, including providing free pads and tampons, and daily showers, for women on their periods. Less than a month ago, that bill passed unanimously in the state’s House of Representatives. 

Young women see the future they want - a safe, inclusive, and peaceful future for all - and will stop at nothing to make it a reality. When things feel as chaotic and scary as they do right now, it can feel easiest to tune out - but I urge you to keep paying attention. I urge you to listen to the young women in your life, because they are leading the way. Every day is a new chance to stand with them and help them plant the seeds of change. 

Call to Action: 

The IGNITE College Convention is June 23-24. This event is an opportunity for young women to learn crucial political leadership skills while building community with fellow change makers. Please share the event with one young woman in your life. Thank you. 

With gratitude, 

Sara Guillermo, IGNITE CEO
Sara Guillermo
Sara Guillermo

As a founding member of the IGNITE team, Sara was instrumental in growing the organization from a small high school-based program in the California Bay Area to the largest, most diverse young women’s political leadership program in the country. Via the program model that Sara co-developed with IGNITE’s Founder, in 2020 IGNITE is on track to train upwards of 10,000 young women across 30 states to own their political power. Sara's previous leadership positions at Seeking Common Ground, Aspire Public Schools and buildOn informed her passion and expertise in community service, youth leadership development, program management and capacity building. As a breast cancer survivor, Sara is deeply committed to reforming local health care policies and systems to better meet the needs of diverse communities. She currently serves on the Concord/Pleasant Hill Healthcare Community Board where she serves as a voice to advance community healthcare priorities. Sara holds an MSW from the University of Denver and a B.A. in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. You can reach Sara at sara@ignitenational.org.

Leave a Comment