14 years old from Harrison, Arkansas
Ruby Chitsey
Favorite Food: Pizza; she even had some last night!
What is their mission/cause?
Helping the livelihood of seniors in nursing homes
How is she doing it?
Her mother works at a nursing home, and when she was 10, Ruby noticed how depressed the seniors living there were. She has been motivated to help the living conditions of the seniors ever since.
Fun Fact: She is a natural brunette. She dyes her hair blonde. She loves Netflix, television shows, movies, and binging! She spends a lot of her time watching movies.
Inspirational quote: Kindness is a hobby.
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Date of recording: July 18, 2022
When Ruby was ten years old, she noticed that the nursing home residents at her mother’s job had poor living conditions and always seemed disappointed with their lifestyle. Ruby wanted to help them be happier in their nursing homes. Ruby was inspired to make a difference when she realized how easy it is to make a positive change for her loved ones. She is frequently told no, but she does not let that deter her. Ruby always takes “no” as a new opportunity and perseveres past the negativity. Ruby feels the most satisfied when she is working with her friends and for her activism. She becomes elated during her accomplishments and finds heartwarming moments throughout her activism.
About Ruby
By Winter Pearson
When Ruby was ten years old, she noticed that the nursing home residents at her mother’s job had poor living conditions and always seemed disappointed with their lifestyle. Ruby wanted to help them be happier in their nursing homes. Therefore, Ruby became involved and began her activism work, volunteering and advocating with nursing home residents and the elderly to improve their way of life. She has become well-versed in the unfair practices within the nursing homes, such as the Monthly $40. The Monthly $40 is when nursing home residents are provided $40 per month to pay for their snacks, pillows, hygiene products, paper products, and other necessities. Ruby explains that $40 per month is unfair because it is not enough to cover monthly living expenses, and nursing home residents should not have to pay for their basic necessities. Ruby hopes her activism will carry her in her future, and she will be able to change the $40 as she becomes more knowledgeable. Changing the Monthly $40 would include increasing the amount given to the nursing home residents or providing them with necessities, so they do not need to pay for them.
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Ruby was inspired to make a difference when she realized
how easy it is to make a positive change for her loved ones.
She has grown over the past few years since she started
activism when she was only ten. Since then, her growth has
motivated her to keep pursuing her passions, despite some
people’s doubts, assuming Ruby was too young to get involved.
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The first step in creating change for Ruby was to
communicate her dreams to her mom. Her mother was
hesitant and had misgivings about her daughter’s idea. But
Ruby didn’t let that stop her. She continued despite her
mother’s and everyone else’s doubt, despite everyone
believing she was too inexperienced and her plan would not
work. The days that are the most difficult for Ruby are the days she is told no. She is frequently told no, but she does not let that deter her. Ruby always takes “no” as a new opportunity and perseveres past the negativity. “[Being told no is] a struggle, but it gives me more opportunities and gives me the chance to try harder next time.”
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Ruby pursues her activism work with her friends and peers close to her age group because she believes that teenagers are more innovative than adults give them credit for. Ruby wishes adults would understand how intelligent and creative teenagers are. Because of Ruby’s personal activism and perseverance, she tells her friends never to give up and to keep pursuing their passions to complete their goals. Ruby feels the most satisfied when she is working with her friends and for her activism. She becomes elated during her accomplishments and finds heartwarming moments throughout her activism. Ruby says, “my heart explodes with happiness” when she has successful days in her activism work.
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When asked about current topics affecting teens
today, Ruby believes social media plays an important
role. Ruby gets most of her news and information
from Twitter and other social media platforms, but
she tries to keep it reliable. Ruby believes the current
state of social media is very negative, with a high
beauty standard. She compares herself to the girls
on Instagram, like Kylie Jenner, just like most teen
girls do. Ruby wants social media to be more
uplifting and for social media to be a place where
people can post more positive stories to bring out
happiness, “I wish social media just made me
happy.” She wants social media to be a safe and supportive space.
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