Isra Hirsi

Isra Hirsi was born on February 22, 2003, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, Hirsi began her climate activism during her freshman year of high school by joining her school’s environmental club. This early engagement led her to co-found the U.S. Youth Climate Strike in January 2019, where she also served as co-executive director. In this role, she organized hundreds of student-led climate strikes across the United States, including major events on March 15 and May 3, 2019.

Hirsi has consistently advocated for intersectionality and diversity within the climate justice movement, emphasizing her identity as a Black Muslim woman. Her work extends beyond environmental issues to racial justice, reflecting her commitment to a broad range of social concerns that impact her community. She was recognized for her efforts with a Brower Youth Award in 2019 and was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 Government and Politics list in 2020. Her activism also includes participating in protests against gun violence and other social issues since a young age.

After graduating from Minneapolis South High School in 2021, Hirsi attended Barnard College of Columbia University. While there, she continued her activism, participating in a campus encampment protesting the university’s investments and was suspended in April 2024. Her dedication to social and environmental causes has been a consistent theme throughout her career, marked by her leadership in youth movements and her vocal advocacy for marginalized communities.