Isra Hirsi

Isra Hirsi is an environmental activist known for co-founding the US Youth Climate Strike and advocating for intersectional climate justice. After co-founding the U.S. Youth Climate Strike in January 2019, Isra Hirsi went on to serve as its co-executive director, a role in which she organized hundreds of student-led climate strikes across the United States. These efforts included major national events on March 15 and May 3, 2019, establishing her as a prominent voice for environmental action.

Her activism extends beyond strict environmentalism, encompassing racial justice and a broad spectrum of social concerns affecting her community. After graduating from Minneapolis South High School in 2021, Hirsi matriculated at Barnard College of Columbia University, continuing her commitment to social advocacy through her academic pursuits. During her tenure at Barnard College, Hirsi remained a vocal and active participant in social and environmental causes. In April 2024, she demonstrated her steadfast dedication by participating in a campus encampment protesting the university’s investment policies, an action which resulted in her suspension from the institution.

This period underscored her unwavering commitment to challenging systemic issues and advocating for institutional accountability on climate and social justice fronts. Hirsi’s career is defined by her leadership in youth movements and her vocal advocacy for marginalized communities, driving significant national conversations around climate action, racial equity, and broader social justice. Her ability to mobilize vast networks of young activists and articulate complex intersectional issues positions her as a compelling and impactful voice in contemporary social and environmental discourse.