On Wednesday, October 11th, in honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council hosted the first-ever "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their local communities. The event honored 15 young leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future for our country.
Girls Leading Change In the News
Teen Vogue: First Lady Jill Biden is honoring these 15 young women with the first-ever Girls Leading Change Celebration
[Fortesa Latifi 10/11/23]
In celebration of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council are honoring 15 young women who are committed to making change in their communities in various arenas, from gun control to period poverty to food deserts. With the first-ever Girls Leading Change celebration at the White House on October 11, the First Lady told Teen Vogue exclusively that she hopes the honorees serve as inspiration for girls around the world. "These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose," Dr. Biden said. "Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and it is my hope that others can learn from the power of their innovation, strength, and hope."
Associated Press: Jill Biden recognizes 15 young women from 13 states for advocacy to improve their communities
[Darlene Superville, 10/13/23]
Fifteen young women were honored at the White House on Wednesday for their advocacy on a range of issues in their communities across the United States, from lobbying for tighter gun laws and against book bans to encouraging civic engagement and ensuring access to menstrual supplies. The issues that earned these 15 teenagers a trip to the White House are also priorities for the Biden administration, including First Lady Jill Biden, who hosted the first "Girls Leading Change" event to celebrate Wednesday's designation by President Joe Biden as International Day of the Girl. The honorees, including a pair of twins, range in age from 15 to 18 and represent 13 states. "They're protecting and preserving our earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, using their summer breaks to testify before their state legislature and turning their pain into purpose," Jill Biden said. "You saw something that you knew was wrong and you decided to fix it. You represent every girl's potential."
The Hill: Jill Biden recognizing 15 women at 'Girls Leading Change' event
[Judy Kurtz, 10/11/23]
Jill Biden is recognizing 15 young women as part of an inaugural "Girls Leading Change" event at the White House timed to coincide with the International Day of the Girl. The honorees, the White House announced Wednesday, were selected by the White House Gender Policy Council for their efforts "leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States." Some of the honorees include 18-year-old Jazmin Cazares, who became a gun violence prevention activist after her sister, Jackie, was killed in a 2022 elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Howard University News Service: First Lady Honors "Girls Leading Change" in International Day of the Girl Celebration
[Briana Alvarado, 10/12/23]
To celebrate this year's International Day of the Girl, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden developed "Girls Leading Change," an award for an exceptional group of young leaders. Honorees were nominated in their hometown and handpicked by the White House gender policy council. Remarks were given by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Director of the White House gender policy council Jen Klein, and the First Lady herself this week at the to commemorate the influential leadership of young women from across the country.
Chicago Sun Times: River Forest girl honored at White House for advocacy in disability rights
[Kade Heather, 10/11/23]
A west suburban girl was among 15 teen girls from across the country honored Wednesday at the White House for their advocacy on a range of issues in their communities. Anja Herrman, 17, of River Forest was recognized for her activism and writing regarding equity and inclusion, and disability rights. The issues that earned these 15 teenagers a trip to the White House are priorities for the Biden administration, including first lady Jill Biden, who hosted the first "Girls Leading Change" event to celebrate Wednesday's designation by President Joe Biden as International Day of the Girl.
"And really you just have to make the change for the future you. What do you want to see? Remember that making change, especially at even the local, federal or state, any level – it's a team effort. You don't have to do it all yourself; you can't do it all yourself, so all you really should focus on is changing your own corner."- Anja Hereman
CBS 2 Chicago: Day of the Girl celebrated in Chicago, suburban teen honored at the White House
[CBS Chicago Team, 10/11/23]
Wednesday is International Day of the Girl and celebrations are being held across the country. First Lady Jill Biden tweeted a photo of 15 young women who were honored at the White House. They include 17-year-old Anya Hermann, a senior at Oak Park River Forest High School. She's a disability advocate who helped secure personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the pandemic.
Daily Breeze: Jill Biden honors Redondo Beach teen at White House for battling online abuse
[Tyler Shaun Evains, 10/11/23]
"I got to meet so many other young female activists who I never would've otherwise," Mona Cho said of the events Wednesday. Her advocacy peers were honored for catalyzing a state law in Alabama that funds period products in schools, for advocating for disability rights, for fighting against gun violence and books bans. The work is "important to me because I think as technology and the internet continues to grow, the regulations and policies to keep them safe is just as important," Cho said. U.S. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre applauded the honorees for pushing boundaries at Wednesday's event. "To strive and thrive, women must be fearless to bulldoze the obstacles put in front of us every day," Jean-Pierre said. "In my eyes a brave person is not someone who lacks fear, but someone who feels fear and faces it head on, who moves forward in spite of their fear, taking a chance knowing you may fail."
Los Angeles Daily News: Jill Biden to honor Redondo Beach's teen anti-harassment crusader at White House
[City News Service, 10/11/23]
Mona Cho is a member of the Beach Cities Health District's Youth Advisory Council and the district's newly created Youth Health & Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online. A 15-year-old from Redondo Beach dedicated to combating online harassment and abuse will be among the 15 "Girls Leading Change" honored at the White House today in celebration of the International Day of the Girl. Mona Cho is a member of the Beach Cities Health District's Youth Advisory Council and the district's newly created Youth Health & Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online.
The American Bazaar: Gitanjali Rao among 15 girls celebrated for leading change
[Arun Kumar, 10/11/23]
Gitanjali Rao, a 17-year-old Indian American scientist and inventor, is one of 15 young women honored on International Day of the Girl for leading change and shaping a brighter future in communities across the United States. First Lady Jill Biden celebrated the 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, at a White House event titled "Girls Leading Change" on Wednesday, according to a White House press release. The first-ever "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House aims "to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities and their efforts strengthening our country for generations to come."
The Hindu: Indian-American teen inventor honoured by Jill Biden for leading community improvement in U.S.
[PTI, 10/12/23]
Teenage Indian-American inventor Gitanjali Rao was honoured by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, along with 14 other young women leaders, for leading a change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the nation. The 17-year-old scientist was honoured on October 11 in the first-ever "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House, marking the International Day of the Girl.
The Hans India: Jill Biden honours Indian-American teen for leading community improvements
[Arti Adke, 10/12/23]
Indian-American teen Gitanjali Rao and 14 other young women leaders have been honoured by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden for leading a change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the nation. Marking the International Day of the Girl, 17-year-old Rao was honoured at the first-ever "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House to recognise the efforts of young women in strengthening the country for generations. "It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of "Girls Leading Change" at the White House," Jill Biden, an educator for more than 30 years, said in a White House release.
ABC Phoenix: Phoenix teen to be honored at the White House for 'leading change'
[ABC 15 Team, 10/11/23]
A Valley teen is one of more than a dozen young women being honored by the White House for their achievements. The honor is part of a celebration of International Day of the Girl, which is on Oct. 11. First Lady Jill Biden is recognizing the young women for "leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States." Arizona's honoree is Gabriella Nakai from Phoenix. The White House says the 17-year-old "is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy."
Portland Press Herald: Yarmouth teen among 15 recognized by Jill Biden for work to improve their communities
[Megan Gray, 10/11/23]
A Yarmouth High School graduate was among 15 young women from around the country who were honored at the White House on Wednesday for their advocacy on a range of issues in their communities, from lobbying for tighter gun laws and against banning books to encouraging civic engagement among Latinos and ensuring that everyone has access to menstrual supplies. Leela Marie Hidier, 18, is a climate social justice advocate and published her debut novel last year as part of the Young Emerging Authors program at The Telling Room, a nonprofit writing and literary arts center in Portland. "Changes in the Weather" tells the story of four teenagers who have been displaced by climate change in the United States.
WGME 13 Portland: Maine teen honored at White House
[WGME Team, 10/12/23]
A teenager from Yarmouth is being recognized by First Lady Jill Biden. Leela Marie Hidier, 18, was one of 15 young women honored at the White House on Wednesday for their advocacy work. They were all there taking part in the first Girls Leading Change event put on to celebrate International Day of the Girl. According to the Press Herald, Hidier, a Yarmouth High School graduate, published her debut novel last year. The book, "Changes in the Weather," tells the story of a group of teenagers displaced by climate change.
WVTM 13 Montgomery: Alabama sisters honored at White House during 'Girls Leading Change' event
[Riley Conlon, 10/12/23]
Two sisters from Montgomery who are already making major changes in schools across the state are making waves in Washington. Brooke and Breanna Bennett founded "Women in Training" to make feminine hygiene products more readily available to young women in school. Their commitment to helping their peers eventually landed them an invite to the White House for First Lady Jill Biden's "Girls Leading Change" event. The First Lady praised them and all the other young women working to make a difference. "You're never too young to fight for what you believe in," Biden said. "We need your insight and your innovation, your strength and your hope right now."
CBS 8 Montgomery: Two Montgomery teenagers honored at The White House
[WAKA Action 8 News, 10/11/23]
Brooke and Breanna Bennett of Montgomery were two of the young women honored by First Lady Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday. As Action 8 News has reported over the years, the twin sisters have given away thousands of kits of sanitary pads and toiletries to young girls in our area through their organization, Women in Training. The 16-year-old sisters have dedicated themselves to ending period poverty and ensuring girls have access to the menstrual supplies they need. When they were 12 years old, they gave period supplies to girls in a public housing project in Montgomery, which is how their organization got its start. Since then, they have distributed more than 30,000 kits.
Alexandria Now: First Lady Jill Biden celebrates Alexandria teen as a 'Girl Leading Change'
[Alexandria Now Team, 10/12/23]
Alexandrian Zahra Rahimi, a 17-year-old Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) student, was cited by First Lady Jill Biden as one of 15 young women leading change in their community. Biden hosted a "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House to celebrate Rahimi and other young women making an impact in their communities. Rahimi arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, the White House wrote, and since then has supported refugee resettlement in Alexandria. Rahimi also served as a student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education and organized cultural events and staff training to help ACPS prepare for new refugee families.
ABC 7 Alexandria: Alexandria teen among 15 young women honored by First Lady Biden during first Girls Leading Change celebration
[JeanneTyler Moodee Lockman, 10/11/23]
An Alexandria, Va. teen was among 15 young women honored by First Lady Jill Biden Wednesday after being chosen by the White House Gender Policy Council as individuals who are "leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities" across the U.S. The honor was announced during the first-ever "Girls Leading Change" celebration at the White House on International Day of the Girl in recognition of the impact these young women have on their communities. According to council officials, 17-year-old Zahra Rahimi arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan and has since dedicated herself to supporting refugee resettlement in her community.
News 3 Las Vegas: Las Vegas native named 'Girls Leading Change' honoree
[News 3 Team, 10/12/23]
One Las Vegas native is celebrating International Day of the Girl with a big honor from the First Lady. The White House Gender Policy Council recognized 15 young women leaders across the country who inspire change in their country. Among the honorees includes 17-year-old Elisa Martinez right from the valley. The White House welcomed Martinez and the honorees during the first-ever 'Girls Leading Change' celebration on Wednesday.
Girls Leading Change Celebration Resources
Announcement: First Lady Jill Biden Announces "Girls Leading Change" Honorees
Event Remarks: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at Girls Leading Change Celebration
Jill Biden, ICYMI: First Lady Jill Biden Celebrates 2023 Girls Leading Change Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/367236