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 Child.
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.
“Changes in the Weather” author and climate change activist Leela Marie Hidier, 17-year-old refugee and resettlement advocate Zahra Rahimi, and 17-year-old book ban opponent Julia Garnett are also among the honorees.
“It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of ‘Girls Leading Change’ at the White House,” Biden said in a statement about Wednesday afternoon’s event.
“These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose,” the first lady 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,” Biden said.
In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly voted to mark Oct. 11 each year as the International Day of the Girl Child to “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.”