The final piece of the first season of This Brave Nation, the Brave
Nation Young Activist Award was designed to celebrate a next generation
of progressive activism. Five remarkable finalists were chosen from
among more than 350 nominees and the eventual winner–Cristina Lara of
Fair Lawn, New Jersey–was selected in an internet poll.

Lara started her own organization, Society of Young Leading Women, which is currently awaiting non profit status. She started and edits an underground newspaper in her high school, called Uncensored while also writing for her local newspaper. On top of that. Cristina joined the
Fair Lawn High School’s football team. She lifted weights with the rest
of her all-male players, while having to endure the awful stares and
criticism. While her coaches tried to undermine her abilities, Cristina
made it clear that she is tough by showing up to every practice, and
every game.

She’s a feminist, a football player, a writer and a straight-A student
and this video shows her receiving the first Brave Nation Activist award
from Robert Greenwald and Tom Hayden.