Our Advocates on National Be Heard Day
By: Abby Plummer & Julia Shirey
Advocacy is more than just a word; it’s a powerful tool that drives individuals, communities, and societies toward progress. Whether it’s fighting for environmental conservation, social justice, human rights, or any other cause close to our hearts, advocacy empowers us to speak out, stand up, and make a difference. Here at TNS, we strive to create a brighter, more equitable future for all.
National Be Heard Day is celebrated every march. It serves as a reminder of the importance of amplifying the voices of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals striving to make their mark in a crowded world. It’s a day to recognize the significance of being heard, not just for expression but as a catalyst for growth, change, and empowerment.
We asked our two resident bloggers, Julia and Abby, about their thoughts on advocacy, and here’s what they said:
Julia:
I have advocated for myself in many ways. For example, I’ve spoken at St. Joseph’s University. I talk about my life, friends, supportive family, and more. I’m also an advocate for saving the world. I want to clean our community and the ocean.
I also advocate for myself at home; I help out around the house, do chores, and spend time with the dogs. I advocate for being independent and taking responsibility for some chores.
I love being an advocate at TNS! I want to build my independence through different skills, such as those in evening programs. I’m working on making sure I am organized, focused, and aware of my workplace. I advocate for new projects when I need help, and I love my job.
Overall, being an advocate is essential because it means standing up for what you believe in.
Abby:
Advocating for myself and others is important because I get to express my feelings and my opinion on things. Being an advocate helps me feel confident in myself and gives me more opportunities to be involved in my community and let my voice be heard. Being an independent advocate is essential because I can be in public and advocate for myself.
Sometimes, I get stressed out, but I can work to calm myself by listening to music. Sometimes, I get distracted when writing blogs because I love to talk with my co-workers. When it gets too loud or too many voices at once, I advocate and go work in one of the offices to get my work done.
As far as the community goes, helping me try new things in the community, such as different events and volunteering, is what I am aiming for. People can also help me learn independent skills so I can be independent in public and advocate for myself and my work.
I encourage myself because self-love is really important, and if I feel important, it helps me be a better advocate in the community.
You can be an advocate, too. I use my voice to be heard and share my views because I like to share my feelings so I don’t get stressed and overwhelmed. An example of this is with my co-workers; I want to talk about my problems, get help, and advocate for what I need.
I also want to try new things in the community because you can never stop learning, too!
