Fighting back
Girls' Life magazine|June/July 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put the world on pause, these six teens are working to stitch their communities back together—one mask, meal or virtual meet-up at a time.
By Katherine Hammer
Fighting back

SAVING LIVES WITH SHIELDS

Isabella Yu, 17

As a mentor at MakeX, a Palo Alto, Calif., student-run maker space, Isabella Yu was no stranger to 3D printing. “Before the pandemic, 3D printing was often just for cool personal projects,” she says, “but now it’s really taken on a new meaning for everyone. It’s less of a hobby—and more of a lifesaving thing.”

When Isabella heard about hospitals’ personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage, she knew MakeX had to step up. Isabella and her fellow makers decided to partner with another local maker space and print face shields for nearby medical workers.

“We really wanted to help out our doctors and nurses who are doing so much during this difficult time,” Isabella says of MakeX. “We’ve produced over 6,000 face shields in the past few weeks.”

Their current goal? 200,000 shields to help those on the front lines of the pandemic.

While living in one of the first COVID-19 hotspots has been stressful, Isabella has found solace in her service. “The medical professionals have been so thankful for what MakeX has been doing,” she says. “It makes me feel that much more connected to my community.”

DELIVERING HOPE

Mira Kwon, 17

Esta historia es de la edición June/July 2020 de Girls' Life magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June/July 2020 de Girls' Life magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GIRLS' LIFE MAGAZINEVer todo
Now loading: Meditation mode
Girls' Life magazine

Now loading: Meditation mode

Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December/January 2025
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
Girls' Life magazine

Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)

You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!

time-read
2 minutos  |
December/January 2025
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
Girls' Life magazine

How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)

GOING DAYS—OR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKS—WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December/January 2025
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
Girls' Life magazine

THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD

It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December/January 2025
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
Girls' Life magazine

NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT

What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December/January 2025
"Ugh! My family is so...
Girls' Life magazine

"Ugh! My family is so...

OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December/January 2025
Dear Carol
Girls' Life magazine

Dear Carol

CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.

time-read
8 minutos  |
December/January 2025
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Girls' Life magazine

YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP

Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December/January 2025
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Girls' Life magazine

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December/January 2025
READ THIS before you hard launch
Girls' Life magazine

READ THIS before you hard launch

You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December/January 2025