What gave Terry the courage to become an activist, despite so many restrictions?

The owners of the Jeffs school forbade Williams from practicing environmentalism or teaching biology. What gave her the courage to become an activist, despite so many restrictions?

Her deep, deep love for nature, and her distrust of the political process.

I think the blank journals gave her the courage. She could see that it was ok not to follow the Mormon tradition.

I think Terry believed so deeply in preserving the wilderness that she found the courage to speak up. She also grew up with her parents' and grandmother's love, and the love and support of an extended family. I think that gave her faith in her self worth.