Natalie Warne

Natalie Warne is a human rights activist and public speaker, who at the age of 17, decided to postpone formal education for the opportunity to work for the humanitarian aid organization Invisible Children. 
==Early life==
Warne was born on May 19th,1992 near South Side Chicago, Illinois. She was one of five children born in the middle, and her mother was an educator. She moved around and attended several high schools. Her upbringing influenced her determination toward social justice and activism.
At 17, Warne learned about Invisible Children, an organization that wanted to end the ongoing conflict in central East Africa and northern Uganda. Next, she interned for the organization and led the Invisible Children's international event, The Rescue. The Rescue was a national tour in 100 different cities in the United States with the goal of raising awareness about invisible children residing in the United States. The tour ended in Warne's hometown of Chicago which garnered the attention of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey. Warne began organizing fundraisers and awareness events in her community, and eventually became a full-time advocate for Invisible Children. 
==Activism==
Warne worked as a production assistant in Rwanda, where she discovered an interest in film, creating documentaries about Rwandan genocide survivors. Upon returning to the United States, Warne moved to Los Angeles, where she continued her work with Invisible Children in the organization's film department.
Additionally, Warne has participated in programs such as the Clinton Foundation's Global Initiative, which provides opportunities for young leaders to develop their skills and make a positive impact in their communities.Warne has also been involved in a number of other social justice initiatives. For example, she has worked with United Nations Foundation, the Malala Fund, and the International Rescue Committee, advocating for issues such as girls' education and refugee rights. Throughout more than 500 global events and three TEDxTeen talks, Warne has reached thousands of people with her message of activism. Warne worked with TaskForce, an independent organization that drove the 2008 Obama HOPE Campaign.
===Invisible Children===
When the United Nations declared a stated of crisis for Northern Uganda, the Invisible Children foundation was formed to quell the injustices and abduction of children. By that time there were more than 100,000 children killed and more than 80,000 forced away from their homes as a result of Ugandan militant leader Joseph Kony. The foundation focused on bringing awareness and advocacy to the children of Uganda, and what atrocities were happening to them under Kony's control. In more recent years the foundation has focused on helping children all over the world in need of aid who have been displaced (including those who were murdered, kidnapped, and tortured).
==Honors==
Warne was the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and University of North Carolina Greensboro annual celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2020. She has held positions with various American universities, Fortune 500 firms, non-profits, governmental agencies, and secondary educational institutions. 
Category:1992 births
Category:People from Illinois
Category:Human rights activists
Category:Motivational speakers