Launched in 2012 by the United Nations, International Day of the Girl is celebrated annually on October 11 to raise awareness of issues affecting girls and young women across the globe. The day promotes girls’ human rights, highlights gender inequalities, and calls for removing barriers that hinder girls from reaching their full potential. Girls and young women worldwide are effecting change through their resourcefulness, creativity, and tenacity to make our communities better and stronger for all people.
Student Leadership Network, as a national leader in launching and supporting girls’ schools with its WholeGirl+ Education framework, is thrilled to see this year’s call to amplify girls’+ visions for the future and the many ways they are already making a difference in their communities. Join us in celebrating our network of girls and women–and learn what inspires and motivates them for a brighter future!
“Great things take time, and small groups of people can do great things.”
– Keionnah B., high school senior
Keionnah combines her passion for makeup with opportunities to bring joy to the community. As president of the Glamour Club in her junior year, she led the club’s members to offer free monthly makeup sessions to seniors at nursing homes to bring beauty and companionship to combat elderly isolation. Keionnah is an aspiring makeup artist and wants to study business in college so that someday she can run her own business.
“I see poetry as art, and poetry can be political.”
– Evellyn P., high school junior
She was a finalist for last year’s NYC Youth Poet Laureate and has performed spoken word pieces in Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Barclays Center, and in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Evellyn’s choice of topics reflects her passion for giving voice to communities on issues such as immigration, identity, and belonging.
“Mentoring and tutoring are different ways to give back to the community.”
– Nina A., high school senior
Nina has served as a Student Ambassador with Student Leadership Network since middle school, leading tours and sharing her experiences with educators, principals, and other visitors. Over the past three years, through the Jeter’s Leaders program, she has tutored elementary school students each summer and volunteered at food banks during the holidays. With an interest in neuroscience, she is excited to plan for life after high school and is considering options such as the Navy or West Point.
Nike and Student Leadership Network Celebrate International Day of the Girl
In honor of International Day of the Girl this year, Nike hosted students from across New York City for an inspiring day of uplifting girls’ and women’s voices through sport. Students from our network’s partner schools, Business of Sports School and The Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens, had an exciting day hearing from athlete, activist, and author Ibtihaj Muhammad and tried out a variety of sports at the event space.
Let’s Hear It For the Girls’+ Education Team!
Student Leadership Network’s Girls’+ Education team has decades of experience in launching and supporting girls’ schools and fostering positive school communities that center our students’ cultures and voices. Visit our blog for updates about how we build capacity and support girls and gender-expansive youth year-round.
Our time is now…
)
I’m passionate about how us as women have the power and development to impact society through good deeds.
Jah’niyah, Young Women’s College Prep ’23
Me and other young people can take action and work toward equal rights by speaking up and using our voices. We can be aware of indirect discrimination towards us or one another such as race, pregnancy and religion.
Janya, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘23
)
I am passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. Two of my peers and I have a mental health service called NAV, which is short for “Navigation” that provides teens (ages 13-18) with mental health resources through our Instagram page (@nav_igation_)… and we host mental health sessions and seminars where we talk about different topics based on mental health.
Ameera, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women
I’m passionate about LGBTQ+ rights. Everyone should be appreciated for who they are and not discriminated against for what they identify themselves as. I make a safe and welcoming environment for everyone and let them know that they are respected and all equal here.
Mahiea, TYWLS Queens ‘27
)
Young people can take action toward equal rights by making posters and speeches on why it is important, going to some demonstrations, and protesting. Perhaps we can visit other schools and come together.
Arianna, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘25
Us women need to shine and by expressing ourselves we can empower the girls of the future like my little sisters and cousins.
Vanasia, YWCP ’25
)
We need to increase our knowledge on the world around us and gather information so we can have rights for everyone.
Anaya, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘25
One way I feel we can take action is actually talking about the experiences most women face, not just of the women who have succeeded so people can understand the serious dangers we face outside.
Rosa, TYWLS ’25
We can stop trying to fight for one side or think one group is better than the other. It is important to remember that we all should love each other as who we are.
Marie, Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas ’28
)
I and the young people around me have the opportunity to actively participate in the fight for equality. Now that we live in a technology-filled world, we can raise our voices and spread awareness in the publicity of the internet.
Meylani, TYWLS Queens ‘27
Our generation gives me hope for the future because they are more advancements being made by young people. Especially young women, they prove to people that even women can do anything they wish to do.
Rabia, TYWLS Queens ‘27
)
Protest!
Angelee, TYWLS ‘25
If we learn to speak up for ourselves and push things that we want in life to happen we have to try to do it without adults helping us with every step of the way. This generation gives hope for the future because we are speaking our minds and implementing our ideas in our community and our society in general.
Ma’ryah, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women
Young people like me can spread their ideas through social media and influence other people. Young people also need to let adults know that we are not as naive as they think we are.
Edlyn, TYWLS Queens ‘24
)
Volunteering is an opportinutity to help and get community service.
Jane, TYWLS ‘27
My generation gives me hope for the future because we aren’t shy to defend ourselves and we make sure to keep our voices heard on important topics.
Melba, TYWLS Brooklyn ‘23
