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 was convening 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. “These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds and turning their pain into purpose,” Jill Biden said in a written statement before the ceremony. She founded her school's Latino Student Union and organizes students on issues like climate justice and preventing gun violence. —Gabriella Nakai, 17, of Phoenix, is a Navajo and Choctaw leader who works on improving food security and sustainability.

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Persons: Biden, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, ” Jill Biden, Brooke Bennett, — Jazmin, Jackie, Cho, — Julia Garnett, — Logan Hennes, — Anja Herrman, — Leela Marie Hidier, — Elisa Martinez, — Gabriella Nakai, — Zahra Rahimi, — Gitanjali Rao, — Avery Turner, — Sandra Ukah, — Rania Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Gender, Council, Robb Elementary School, Beach Cities Health, Advisory Council, American Jewish Committee, Equity, Latino Student Union, Choctaw, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Air Force, University of Florida, Seminole, Student Union, LiTEArary Society Locations: United States, Montgomery , Alabama, Uvalde , Texas, Redondo Beach , California, Beach, Hendersonville , Tennessee, New York, River Forest , Illinois, Yarmouth , Maine, U.S, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Navajo, —, Alexandria , Virginia, Afghanistan, Highlands Ranch , Colorado, Colorado Springs , Colorado, Bloom, Lake Mary , Florida, Morgantown , West Virginia