Walls Youth and Government Members Join the First Lady for International Day of the Girl
By Wyndham Mills, Deputy Editor in Chief and Maya Maaloul, Editor in Chief - YMCA DC Youth & Government
On Wednesday, October 11, the female delegation members of DC’s YMCA Youth & Government (YAG), were invited to attend First Lady Jill Biden's Girls Leading Change Celebration, in honor of International Day of the Girl. Together, members including Youth Mayor, Ellen Lurie, Youth Superintendent, Hemani Patel, Youth City Council Chair, Téa Washington, and the Press Corps Editor-in-Chief, Maya Maaloul, were given the opportunity to listen to a panel of inspirational guest speakers, and enjoy a reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments held in the White House.
The panel consisted of several young female changemakers, in high school, making immense differences in their communities; these differences ranged from fighting anti-Semitic cyberbullying, to creating policies securing free period products in schools, to protecting the rights and lives of indigenous Native Americans across the United States—all of which in a combined effort to make the world a better place in which to live. Not only were attendees able to hear from young activists, but they were also able to hear from Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, as well as the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, herself. Together, they spread messages of inspiration, arguing that despite being young, or a woman, anyone can begin making change—all that is necessary is an idea and the will to take action, as shown by the inventiveness of the young panelists.
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Watch the celebration here.