Latest news with #RutendoShadaya
1News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Tokoroa teen named on Time magazine's Girls of the Year list
A 16-year-old fantasy author from Tokoroa as been named on TIME magazine's first Girls of the Year 2025 list. The TIME list featured 10 "extraordinary young leaders" between the ages of 12 and 17 who were nominated for their global impact, and were inspiring communities around the world. Author Rutendo Shadaya was the only person nominated from Australasia, and told Breakfast she "couldn't believe this was real" when she was told the news. "I signed up, agreed to work with them and was looking forward to where it will take me." Shadaya's two self-published books: Rachel and the Enchanted Forest (2020) and Rachel and the Chevene Pirates (2022) drew inspiration from her own friendships and culture as a Zimbabwean-New Zealander. ADVERTISEMENT Both storylines featured themes of strong female empowerment, and growth, which she said resonated with her as a writer. Author Rutendo Shadaya. (Source: Breakfast) "With my main character Rachel, it shows the character development from this shy girl to this empowering girl that goes out of her comfort zone, similar to my writing as well." Shadaya admitted that she "didn't actually like writing" when she first picked up the pen at age 9. "The way I came up with the story and stuff was basically what I grew up around, so the TV shows, the books I read... When I form these characters I was just thinking based on a little bit of what I've seen in real life and a little bit of what I've seen on TV. "Just a cool, relatable, character or like something that I would kind of read." She said she planned to write two more books in the Rachel series before the end of school. ADVERTISEMENT TIME magazine's full list of nominees Rutendo Shadaya, 16, an advocate for young authors in New Zealand Coco Yoshizawa, 15, an Olympic gold-medalist in Japan Valerie Chiu, 15, a global science educator in China Zoé Clauzure, 15, an anti-bullying crusader in France The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, Trump rates chances of success ahead of meeting Putin, the haul of stolen gear police want to return, and Baby Shark lawsuit thrown out. (Source: 1News) Clara Proksch, 12, a scientist prioritizing child safety in Germany ADVERTISEMENT Ivanna Richards, 17, a racing driver shattering stereotypes in Mexico Kornelia Wieczorek, 17, a biotech innovator in Poland Defne Özcan, 17, a trailblazing pilot in Turkey Rebecca Young, 12, an engineer tackling homelessness in the United Kingdom Naomi S. DeBerry, 12, an organ donation advocate and children's book author in the United States.
The Guardian
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Take that risk': the New Zealand teen author named one of Time magazine's girls of the year
When New Zealand teenager Rutendo Shadaya was nine years old, she wanted to create the perfect birthday present for her best friend – an act of kindness that has helped land her on the front of Time magazine. 'I was very good with gift giving, and I knew she liked reading … so I was like 'why don't I write a book for her?',' Shadaya tells the Guardian. Two months later she had her fantasy novella, Rachel and the Enchanted Forest, in her hands, and, despite having previously 'despised' writing, had enjoyed the process so much she wanted to push it further. After finding out it was 'unrealistic' for a girl her age to find a traditional publisher, Shadaya self-published, winning over a young local audience and going on to sell hundreds of copies. Shadaya, now 17, has since published two more books in the series, and has just been named one of Time magazine's girls of the year for featuring strong female leads in her work, and for using her platform to lift up other budding writers. Shadaya, who was born in New Zealand to Zimbabwean parents and lives in Tokoroa, a rural town in the central North Island, does not know how she ended up on the magazine's radar. It was such a surprise, she thought their first email was fake and did not immediately respond. 'What are the chances they would reach out to a 17-year-old in Tokoroa?' She only started feeling the enormity of the recognition in the lead up to it becoming public. 'It's surreal,' Shadaya says. 'I'm being featured with these iconic young women and I feel like its such a privilege being honoured and [seeing] my hard work paying off'. Shadaya is one of 10 girls from around the world to feature in the magazine's new list, and is the only girl representing Oceania. Her series traverses themes of adventure, friendship, mental health and perseverance, as her protagonist, Rachel, overcomes challenges through pushing herself out of her comfort zone, using her magical powers for good and surrounding herself with supportive friends. Shadaya wants 'young girls to feel empowered when they read these books' and says it is 'really cool to see people are interested.' Since publishing her books, Shadaya has used her platform to encourage other young writers, including appearing at community talks and events, and more recently running a competition for writers and artists between 8 and 13 years old, the winners of which will feature in a soon-to-be-released book. Shadaya is also a keen netball player, a student volunteer, a YWCA young leader, and is considering a future in dentistry alongside a writing career. Until then, Shadaya hopes her work will inspire others around her, particularly young women and girls. 'Never let your background or age define you,' she says. 'You'll always face a lot of challenges but those challenges are built on to your journey … take that risk, you won't regret it in the end.' Time's girls of the year list is the magazine's first list to highlight girls' achievements, and builds on its existing women of the year list. Other entrants on the list include 13-year-old Scottish inventor, Rebecca Young, the Olympic skateboarder Coco Yoshizawa, 15, from Japan and an organ donation advocate, Naomi S DeBerry, 12, from the US. Time senior editor Dayana Sarkisova said the girls featured in the list 'prove that changing your community and inspiring those around you can send ripple effects around the globe'. 'These girls are part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks like today,' she said. 'Their generation understands that change doesn't require waiting for adulthood – it starts with seeing problems and refusing to accept them as permanent.'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Tokoroa teen author Rutendo Shadaya makes Time Magazine's ‘Girls of the Year' list
A Tokoroa teenager has been included on Time 's first-ever 'Girls of the Year' list, five years after she began self-publishing her own book series. Rutendo Shadaya, 17, was the only New Zealander among 10 girls named by the magazine as being 'part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TIME debuts first-ever Girls of the Year List
Credit - A celebration of creativity and possibility, TIME debuts first-ever Girls of the Year List recognizing 10 young leaders inspiring communities around the world The list, made possible by the LEGO Group, aligns with their She Built That campaign, which challenges stereotypes and empowers girls to see themselves as builders Today, TIME reveals its first-ever Girls of the Year list, recognizing 10 young leaders who are inspiring communities around the world. The list, curated by TIME's award-winning editorial team, has been made possible by the LEGO Group and aims to celebrate and empower girls. The 2025 TIME Girls of the Year list features 10 honorees, including: Rutendo Shadaya, 17, an advocate for young authors in New Zealand; Coco Yoshizawa, 15, an Olympic gold-medalist in Japan; Valerie Chiu, 15, a global science educator in China; Zoé Clauzure, 15, an anti-bullying crusader in France; Clara Proksch, 12, a scientist prioritizing child safety in Germany; Ivanna Richards, 17, a racing driver shattering stereotypes in Mexico; Kornelia Wieczorek, 17, a biotech innovator in Poland; Defne Özcan, 17, a trailblazing pilot in Turkey; Rebecca Young, 12, an engineer tackling homelessness in the United Kingdom; and Naomi S. DeBerry, 12, an organ donation advocate and children's book author in the United States. – See the complete list and read the TIME Girls of the Year profiles: here 'At TIME, we've long believed that leadership has no age requirement. This belief is reflected in the inspiring young women named to our first-ever TIME Girls of the Year list, who are shaping their communities with courage and purpose,' said TIME CEO Jessica Sibley. 'Thanks to our partnership with the LEGO Group, we are proud to spotlight those who are turning imagination into real-world impact.' Of the new list, TIME's Senior Editor Dayana Sarkisova writes: 'These girls are part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks like today…Their generation understands that change doesn't require waiting for adulthood—it starts with seeing problems and refusing to accept them as permanent. …TIME's Girls of the Year—who are all between the ages of 12 and 17—prove that changing your community and inspiring those around you can send ripple effects around the globe.' Read more here. Additionally, the LEGO Group and TIME Studios, the award-winning branded content studio, created a limited-edition animated TIME cover, reimagining this year's Girls of the Year as LEGO Minifigures. Each character captures the spirit of their achievements, with the animation set to the empowering new LEGO anthem, She Built That. See the TIME Girls of the Year cover: here In a recent study by the LEGO Group, it found that the term 'Building' has a perception problem. It doesn't resonate with girls. The majority of (70%) young women globally struggle to see themselves as someone who is good at building things. Equally, most parents (72%) feel girls lack visible female role models who build the world. Women's achievements remain largely invisible to children, according to a survey of 32,605 parents and children across 21 countries. Kids are twice as likely to credit major inventions to men - with most believing that Wi-Fi (69%), fridges (63%) and even the moon landing software (68%) were invented by men, when in fact, all were pioneered by women. Julia Goldin, LEGO Group Chief Product & Marketing Officer, said: 'When girls don't see it, they don't believe it - the world risks missing out on the next big breakthrough. There's no stopping what girls can build. TIME's Girls of the Year is a step in giving the next generation the role models they deserve, recognising young women globally who are not just imagining a better world but actively creating it. Together with TIME we hope these stories will inspire a future generation of unstoppable female builders to dream big and continue making their mark on the world.' It's a sentiment that ties into the LEGO Group's wider mission: to build confidence, imagination and creativity through play and to unlock the potential of every child. The collaboration is an extension of the LEGO Group's She Built That campaign, which aims to challenge outdated societal stereotypes that can limit the potential of girls, and to empower them to see themselves as builders in every sense of the word. In collaboration with TIME's Girls of the Year, the initiative honors young females who are building the future, turning imagination into impact. It's a celebration of creativity, confidence, and possibility, recognizing girls not just as future builders, but as the architects of change today. The TIME Girls of the Year list builds on the foundation of TIME Women of the Year, which recognizes extraordinary leaders working toward a more equal future. Consistent with TIME's mission to spotlight the people and ideas that shape and improve the world, TIME has long highlighted women and girls making an impact across climate, science, sports, entertainment, and more—including scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao, named TIME's first-ever Kid of the Year. ### Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
TIME debuts first-ever Girls of the Year List
A celebration of creativity and possibility, TIME debuts first-ever Girls of the Year List recognizing 10 young leaders inspiring communities around the world The list, made possible by the LEGO Group, aligns with their She Built That campaign, which challenges stereotypes and empowers girls to see themselves as builders Today, TIME reveals its first-ever Girls of the Year list, recognizing 10 young leaders who are inspiring communities around the world. The list, curated by TIME's award-winning editorial team, has been made possible by the LEGO Group and aims to celebrate and empower girls. The 2025 TIME Girls of the Year list features 10 honorees, including: Rutendo Shadaya, 17, an advocate for young authors in New Zealand; Coco Yoshizawa, 15, an Olympic gold-medalist in Japan; Valerie Chiu, 15, a global science educator in China; Zoé Clauzure, 15, an anti-bullying crusader in France; Clara Proksch, 12, a scientist prioritizing child safety in Germany; Ivanna Richards, 17, a racing driver shattering stereotypes in Mexico; Kornelia Wieczorek, 17, a biotech innovator in Poland; Defne Özcan, 17, a trailblazing pilot in Turkey; Rebecca Young, 12, an engineer tackling homelessness in the United Kingdom; and Naomi S. DeBerry, 12, an organ donation advocate and children's book author in the United States. – See the complete list and read the TIME Girls of the Year profiles: here 'At TIME, we've long believed that leadership has no age requirement. This belief is reflected in the inspiring young women named to our first-ever TIME Girls of the Year list, who are shaping their communities with courage and purpose,' said TIME CEO Jessica Sibley. 'Thanks to our partnership with the LEGO Group, we are proud to spotlight those who are turning imagination into real-world impact.' Of the new list, TIME's Senior Editor Dayana Sarkisova writes: 'These girls are part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks like today…Their generation understands that change doesn't require waiting for adulthood—it starts with seeing problems and refusing to accept them as permanent. …TIME's Girls of the Year—who are all between the ages of 12 and 17—prove that changing your community and inspiring those around you can send ripple effects around the globe.' Read more here. Additionally, the LEGO Group and TIME Studios, the award-winning branded content studio, created a limited-edition animated TIME cover, reimagining this year's Girls of the Year as LEGO Minifigures. Each character captures the spirit of their achievements, with the animation set to the empowering new LEGO anthem, She Built That. See the TIME Girls of the Year cover: here In a recent study by the LEGO Group, it found that the term 'Building' has a perception problem. It doesn't resonate with girls. The majority of (70%) young women globally struggle to see themselves as someone who is good at building things. Equally, most parents (72%) feel girls lack visible female role models who build the world. Women's achievements remain largely invisible to children, according to a survey of 32,605 parents and children across 21 countries. Kids are twice as likely to credit major inventions to men - with most believing that Wi-Fi (69%), fridges (63%) and even the moon landing software (68%) were invented by men, when in fact, all were pioneered by women. Julia Goldin, LEGO Group Chief Product & Marketing Officer, said: 'When girls don't see it, they don't believe it - the world risks missing out on the next big breakthrough. There's no stopping what girls can build. TIME's Girls of the Year is a step in giving the next generation the role models they deserve, recognising young women globally who are not just imagining a better world but actively creating it. Together with TIME we hope these stories will inspire a future generation of unstoppable female builders to dream big and continue making their mark on the world.' It's a sentiment that ties into the LEGO Group's wider mission: to build confidence, imagination and creativity through play and to unlock the potential of every child. The collaboration is an extension of the LEGO Group's She Built That campaign, which aims to challenge outdated societal stereotypes that can limit the potential of girls, and to empower them to see themselves as builders in every sense of the word. In collaboration with TIME's Girls of the Year, the initiative honors young females who are building the future, turning imagination into impact. It's a celebration of creativity, confidence, and possibility, recognizing girls not just as future builders, but as the architects of change today. The TIME Girls of the Year list builds on the foundation of TIME Women of the Year, which recognizes extraordinary leaders working toward a more equal future. Consistent with TIME's mission to spotlight the people and ideas that shape and improve the world, TIME has long highlighted women and girls making an impact across climate, science, sports, entertainment, and more—including scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao, named TIME's first-ever Kid of the Year. ###
