Change doesn’t come easy, and few know that better than Estela Romero. That’s why she started the Progressive Activism Club in Southlake to push toward a better tomorrow.
As a writer and social activist, Estela has always cared about the issues that affect minorities in America. One of her first advocacy efforts came in 2019 while writing for “The Teen Observer” in Washington, D.C. She published essays on topics relating to gun violence, mental health and gender-neutral bathrooms.
“I believe I can be an activist through my writing,” Estela says. “I am very proud of this accomplishment since I am a 17 year old from a small town and would have never thought I would have an opportunity like this.”
Estela’s activism grew in May when George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. She gathered five Southlake Carroll seniors and formed the Progressive Activism Club, bringing together hundreds of residents across the city and organizing two marches for Black Lives Matter and gay pride in Southlake Town Square.
“I knew immediately that it was something I wanted to be a part of,” secretary Grace Cropper says. “Like our other club members, Estela stands for justice and equality and helps others fight for these values. It’s important to try to enact real, positive change in our local environment, and this club allows us to do just that.”
Estela wants to major in communication and possibly political science next year. After college, she wants to pursue a career in journalism where she can continue exposing injustices toward people because of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
“I want to change the world,” she says. “But for now, I can start in Southlake.”