by Mella Noir | Featured Contributor
Ever met a 16 year old that started changing the world when she was 12?
I have, and her name is Gabrielle Posard.
When she was just 12, she was inspired by her older sister Camille, who was a writer for a documentary on hunger. She drew the now famous “Donate, Don’t Dump” logo of a fork, spoon and knife combined with recycling while discussing the documentary over dinner with her family.
Fast forward four years later, this teen is pushing for bills in Sacramento, has been featured in People Magazine, is a writer for Huffington Post, as well as running weekly community food collections that donate good food to hungry families in her community. She has saved over 800, 000 pounds of food from going to waste, and also has inspired a whole new legion of children and youth in her community to follow in her footsteps.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Gabrielle for my podcast “Clink, Chat & Catch Up! and today we got back together to share a few ideas, so simple to Gabrielle, but so powerful for our adult ears, eyes and hearts.
Here are 10 important lessons a 16 year old taught me, and you should learn too:
1. People rise to the occasion when you give them a chance.
2. It takes one voice to initiate change, but a community to truly make something happen.
3. Learn to pick your own personal values and prioritize what’s important to you.
4. There’s no age requirement on making a difference.
5. A phone call > an email.
6. Don’t read off the PowerPoint.
7. Public speaking isn’t nerve wracking when you know what you’re talking about.
8. If you show people how passionate you are about something, they will more than likely help.
9. The largest problems can sometimes have the simplest solutions.
10. Donate, don’t dump!
What I also learned from Gabrielle, is that the initiative to help others can begin from a thought, turn into action, and can grow into a huge, life changing collective. Her feeling empathy at the dinner table and having the temerity to make a change happen meant that thousands and thousands of people in the community have gotten the food they need desperately, that would have gone to waste. She is truly a marvel and we will stay tuned for what she does in her 20’s! Inspiring all of us, and showing that above all, age has nothing to do with ability.
Thanks for the lessons, Gabrielle!

Mella is also the Executive Producer of the Bubbly Talk Radio Network, and one of the founding hosts of “The Champagne Sisters Show”, where the international ladies interview celebrity guests and people who are living their passion, and hosts “Clink, Chat & Catch Up!”, a one on one interview with an inspirational person. She’s thrilled to be a “Champagne Sister” & encourages everyone to join in & receive the bubbly support from all the ladies! *CLINK!*
Mella focuses on all aspects of PR as a digital media strategist…need help online? Send her an email: MellaNoirPR@gmail.com
8 Replies to “10 Important Lessons 16 Year Old Gabrielle Posard Taught Me by Mella Noir”
Laia
Feels so inspiring, thank you!
Mella Noir
Thanks Laia! To be able to share with the world, through the amazing Melissa & her http://www.SheOwnsIt.com, an incredibly inspiring teen like Gabrielle make me feel simply fabulous! I want to shine as much light as possible her way, so she can continue to keep on helping those families & doing what she is meant to do! Thank YOU for taking the time to leave a comment & letting Gabrielle, Melissa & I know that you are touched by the story! ~mella
Jacqueline Lewis
Loved this article. Very inspirational and well written. Love the 10 lessons, we should all learn them. Look forward to more great articles.
Mella Noir
Thanks Jacqueline! I am thrilled you enjoyed the article & I look very forward to writing more for She Owns It! Stay tuned! ~mella
Jill Hickey
This is fantastic! what a post and what an inspiration Gabrielle is. Thank you for sharing!
Mella Noir
My absolute pleasure, Jill! Meeting Gabrielle was an eye opener & seeing the families lined up to get the good food she was directly responsible for providing to them was so very heartwarming. I am so glad you enjoyed learning from Gabrielle as much as I did 🙂
~mella
Lily la Tigresse
Gabrielle is certainly very inspirational! It’s amazing what strength believing in something – and acting on it – can create such a difference!
Mella Noir
So very true, Lily la Tigresse @JTaimeMNeither! It really makes you realize after meeting Gabrielle that we have always had that passion for change or doing what we love inside us…we don’t need to wait until we “grow up”! There is no excuse to not be doing what you are meant for. Just DO IT & you will blossom. As Gabrielle taught us, you also can inspire an entire legion of children to follow in your footsteps! Ahhhh…*motivated* ~mella
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