A is for Activism: Ms Rachel's Advocacy for Palestinian Children
Image Credit: Stephanie Augello via Getty Images
When the rising generation’s web space is seemingly reigned by Tung Tung Sahur, a beam of light shines through with change-makers such as the 42-year-old Rachel Accurso (known to youngsters as Ms. Rachel). Over 17 million subscribers fell in love with Ms. Rachel for her videos that guide her young viewership in enunciating their first (ever) words. With time, she’s expanded her impact. Accurso preserves her efforts to nurture the young voices - and today, she fights to project (and protect) the children who are most hushed.
Following her triumph as one of the 2025 Women of the Year - as named by Glamour US - the YouTube star attended the prestigious ceremony this fall. Breathtaking couture on the red carpet? Fork found in kitchen. Yet it’s safe to say that Ms. Rachel’s appearance only cemented her status as a modern-day thought leader.
The white fabric comprising the dress’s bodice (upper body part) presented an embroidered gallery of drawings. In turn, the illustrations were the works of young creatives from the Gaza Strip. Woven into the dress were the stories of Palestinian children.
Across Ms. Rachel’s heart, for instance, laid a white dove with an olive branch - a symbol of peace and the end of war, drawn by the eight-year-old Anne. The little artist has an Instagram page; it follows her love for school, art, and animals. In the photos, Anne also proudly poses with her drawing, which was named the ‘Peace Dove’.
Draping over Ms. Rachel’s shoulder was a bucket pouring out a starry galaxy - a drawing by the young Rana. When honoring the artists in her speech, Ms. Rachel devoted a segment to sharing Rana’s story, who lost both of her sisters to the genocide. Accurso read Rana’s message: “I want to tell the world that my sisters are not numbers. They are moons. They are like the stars. They shine and sparkle.” The stars embroidered on the dress could not appear shinier.
To the left of the bodice was a drawing by Ahmed - a slouched boy carrying a house on his shoulders, as if in place of a school backpack. The original drawing is featured on the 12-year-old’s social media. It involves a caption reading ‘365 Days’ along with a note: “A full year of carrying our homes on our backs.”
Glamour US has recognized Ms. Rachel’s media empire as a global precedent. However, it’s the way she utilizes her platform for activism that has most contributed to her title as a 2025 Woman of the Year. Accurso tells the magazine: “It’s very natural to me to see children. I see my own children. And when I see children suffering anywhere, I just think about, What if that was my child?”
Ms. Rachel’s statement at the Glamour WOTY awards is a reminder that activism is not (just) about carefully-crafted headlines and political discourse. It can also about empathizing with a primary schooler across the globe; honoring, sharing their story.
It is essential that we don’t abandon these stories, just as these young Palestinians did not abandon their creativity and hope, love and passion.
It is our duty to keep spotlighting their voices, through art or otherwise, until no child has to pray for peace in drawing a dove with an olive branch.