Every November 20, the world observes Universal Children’s Day to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide. This date marks when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
On this significant day, Mattese Lecque offers a powerful Childrens Day message rooted in hope, protection, and commitment to every child’s future. As a retired Major with the United States Army Reserves, Physician’s Assistant, and dedicated community leader serving through the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring, Mattese understands that children represent our most precious investment.
Through her perspective, this observance becomes more than symbolic recognition it transforms into a call for action and authentic commitment to ensuring every child can thrive.
Understanding Universal Children’s Day
Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954, celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness. The date commemorates adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified international human rights treaty.
From the moment the sun rises, children wake up to a world shaped by choices they didn’t make. But every child, everywhere, also wakes with rights including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have their voice heard.
For Mattese, this day resonates deeply with her life’s work protecting those who cannot protect themselves and ensuring vulnerable populations receive the support they deserve.
Core Themes of This Powerful Message
The heartfelt Childrens Day message Mattese shares addresses several critical themes reflecting her values and experience.
Every Child Matters
The foundation of her message is profound: every child matters, regardless of circumstances, background, or birthplace. Mattese’s core teaching that it doesn’t matter if you were born with nothing you can overcome and succeed applies powerfully to children.
Child rights are human rights. They are non-negotiable and universal. Her military service taught her that protecting the vulnerable isn’t optional it’s a moral imperative.
Listen to Children’s Voices
Around the world, children are standing up and talking about their lives, their hopes, and their rights. It’s time to listen to children. Mattese’s work with the Burke Foundation demonstrates her commitment to hearing young voices and empowering youth leadership.
She encourages adults to create spaces where children feel safe expressing themselves, sharing concerns, and contributing ideas. Children aren’t just future leaders they’re present voices deserving attention now.
Protect and Nurture
As someone who served 26 years protecting her nation, Mattese understands that protection extends beyond physical safety. Her message emphasizes protecting children’s rights to education, healthcare, safety from violence, and opportunities to develop their full potential.
Through her healthcare background as a Physician’s Assistant, she recognizes that children’s wellbeing encompasses physical health, emotional support, spiritual development, and social connection.
Invest in Education
Education transforms lives and breaks cycles of poverty. Mattese’s leadership with educational organizations reflects her conviction that every child deserves quality education regardless of economic circumstances.
The Childrens Day message calls for increased investment in schools, teachers, educational resources, and programs that serve disadvantaged children. Education isn’t charity it’s the foundation for healthy communities.
The State of Children Today
Even before the pandemic, 258 million children and young people were out of school. This sobering reality informs Mattese’s urgent message. Children worldwide face challenges including educational barriers, health challenges, violence and exploitation, and poverty.
Her message doesn’t ignore these harsh realities but confronts them with faith-fueled determination that change is possible when communities commit to action.
A Faith-Centered Approach
Mattese’s book “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him” reveals her deep faith foundation. This spiritual conviction shapes her perspective about children, recognizing that faith communities play vital roles in protecting and nurturing young lives.
Through her active service at Saint Peter’s AME Church in North Charleston as Trustee Board Officer and Financial Secretary, Mattese demonstrates how faith communities can practically support children through mentoring programs, educational assistance, and family support services.
The Childrens Day message encourages faith communities to prioritize children’s ministry as central mission reflecting divine love for the most vulnerable.
Practical Ways to Honor This Day
Mattese’s words move beyond inspiration to action, offering concrete ways individuals and communities can honor this important observance.
Support Children in Your Community
Identify children facing challenges in your neighborhood. Offer tutoring, mentoring, or practical support to struggling families. Small actions create significant impact when motivated by genuine care.
Advocate for Children’s Rights
Contact elected representatives about policies affecting children education funding, healthcare access, child protection services, and family support programs. Advocacy transforms individual concern into systemic change.
Invest Time and Resources
Volunteer with organizations serving children. Donate to programs providing education, healthcare, or protection for vulnerable youth. Your time and resources multiply when invested in children’s futures.
Listen and Learn
Spend time with children in your life. Ask about their experiences, concerns, and hopes. Really listen. Understanding children’s perspectives informs more effective support.
Create Safe Spaces
Whether in homes, schools, faith communities, or neighborhoods, work to create environments where children feel physically safe, emotionally supported, and spiritually nurtured.
The Military Perspective on Protecting Children
Mattese’s military service provides unique insight into why protecting children matters for national security. Healthy, educated, supported children become productive citizens who contribute positively to society.
Her message reminds us that military personnel serve to protect freedoms and opportunities especially for children who represent the future those freedoms will serve. When we fail children, we undermine the very future our service members sacrifice to protect.
Building Legacy Through Children
Mattese’s emphasis on legacy takes special meaning regarding children. The legacy we create isn’t just what we accomplish but how we invest in those who follow us.
The Childrens Day message challenges adults to ask: What world are we creating for children? What values are we modeling? What opportunities are we providing?
Through her work across multiple community organizations Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, Burke Foundation, North Charleston High School PTSA Mattese demonstrates that building positive legacy for children requires sustained commitment.
A Call to Action
This inspiring message isn’t meant for passive consumption but active response. Mattese calls on everyone parents, educators, faith leaders, business professionals, government officials, and community members to commit to concrete actions that improve children’s lives.
For Parents: Prioritize your children’s emotional wellbeing alongside academic achievement. Create home environments where children feel loved, heard, and supported.
For Educators: Advocate for resources your students need. See beyond test scores to recognize the whole child you’re serving.
For Faith Leaders: Make children’s welfare central to your congregation’s mission through programs, advocacy, and resource allocation.
For Community Members: Support organizations serving children through volunteering, donations, and advocacy.
Conclusion: Every Child, Every Right, Every Day
Mattese Lecque’s Childrens Day message centers on a simple but profound truth: child rights are human rights non-negotiable and universal. While November 20 focuses global attention on children, this message extends beyond a single day to everyday commitment.
Her life demonstrates that protecting and empowering children requires more than good intentions it demands action, advocacy, resources, and sustained commitment. From military service protecting freedoms children will inherit, to healthcare work ensuring children’s physical wellbeing, to community leadership creating opportunities for youth development, Mattese embodies her words.
As we observe this important day, let this powerful message inspire concrete action. Listen to children’s voices. Protect their rights. Invest in their education. Create safe spaces for their growth. Advocate for policies that serve their interests.
The future depends on choices we make today about how we value, protect, and invest in children. This Childrens Day message challenges us to choose wisely, act boldly, and commit completely to ensuring every child regardless of circumstances has opportunity to reach their full potential.
Every child matters. All rights deserve protection. Each day presents opportunity to make a difference. Let this inspire lasting commitment to the children who represent our shared future.
