Wendy Schaetzel Lesko is the president of the Youth Activism Project. Lesko is an author of several books on youth-led advocacy, especially in the public policy arena, and recognized nationally as a youth voice expert.
Biography
During Lesko's last two years at Rollins College, she created a recreational program for 100 children of Florida orange pickers about 45 minutes from campus. After graduating, she worked for Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers. Her career has included working as the managing editor of the Congressional Monitor, and starting "Today on the Hill," a live daily broadcast focused on action in Congress, for WTOP in Washington, D.C.. Lesko lives in Kensington, Maryland with her husband Matthew Lesko and their two sons, Max and Morgan. Wendy met Matthew in 1982 while she was working at the Congressional Monitor. Lesko launched the influential Activism 2000 Project in 1992. She is an adult advisor for School Girls Unite in Maryland, and on advisory boards for several organizations, including CommonAction.
Books
Catalyst! Successful Strategies to Empower Young Advocates Published by Youth Activism Project.
Maximum Youth Involvement: The Complete Gameplan for Community Action Published by Youth Activism Project. ASIN: B0006SBDI4
Youth! The 26% Solution with Emanuel Tsourounis. Published by Information USA.
Knock-Your-Socks-Off Training Teens To Be Successful Activists!The Complete Guide For Facilitating A 1-2 Hour Workshop. Published by Youth Activism Project.
Youth Advocacy Module Published by U.S. Health & Human Service.
The Maternity Sourcebook: 230 Basic Decisions for Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby Care. Published by Warner Books.
The Maternity Sourcebook. with Matthew Lesko. Published by Warner Books.
Recognition
Lesko has been recognized by diverse publications from across the nation, such as The Washington Post, and the Houston Chronicle, among others. She also received WETA-TV's "Hometown Heroes" Award in 2004.
