In celebration of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden announced ten young women leaders, including four Indian Americans, as 2024 “Girls Leading Change,” honorees. These leaders were recognized by the White House Gender Policy Council for “leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States.”
A White House statement on October 10, 2024, highlighted Dr. Biden’s ongoing advocacy for young people. In partnership with the Gender Policy Council, she hosted the second “Girls Leading Change,” event at the White House to honor these young women for their contributions to strengthening the nation.
“And we have some of the incredible girls from our first group of honorees with us. Thank you for coming back and supporting this year’s class. Today, we say proudly, for all to hear, that girls are powerful. And that no one is too young to lead,” said Dr. Biden during the event at the East Room. “Last year, I worked with the White House Gender Policy Council to create this event—to honor you, the next generation creating change right now.”
Dr. Biden expressed that each person has a unique way of seeing the world. An individual perspective that influences every conversation and decision they make. Every time they bring their authentic self, with their courage, insights, and questions, they help shape the world around them.
“That’s what this years’ honorees did. They didn’t wait for life to happen to them. They stepped forward—spent their weekends and hours after school to make our world kinder, fairer, and filled with more possibility,” underscored Dr. Biden while pointing out they remind everyone that girls are capable of anything—they can be leaders, scientists, writers, entrepreneurs, champions for change, and of course, even the president.
The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to creating a world where girls can achieve their dreams without fear, discrimination, violence, or abuse, while also promoting their safety, education, health, and overall wellbeing, noted a White House Fact Sheet released on October 10th.
Profiles of Indian American Leaders as released by the White House.
Sreenidi Bala (Farmington, Connecticut)
Sreenidi Bala, age 16, is an advocate for the accessibility of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for students of all abilities. After recognizing a gap in STEM education for neurodivergent students in her school district, Sreenidi developed an elective to fill that gap called ASPIRE Adaptive STEM. Sreenidi also founded Code for All Minds—a free online platform offering educators and families comprehensive lessons in coding, digital citizenship, and essential technology skills tailored for students with learning disabilities. Through partnerships with neurodiversity advocacy groups and local college access programs, Code for All Minds has created and distributed adaptive STEM curriculums to schools across the country.
Pragathi Kasani-Akula (Cumming, Georgia)
Pragathi Kasani-Akula, age 17, is a scientist and innovator dedicated to developing novel solutions that make health care more accessible to people across the world. Following her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, she developed a prototype for a low-cost, less invasive test to detect triple negative breast cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pragathi also worked with the ScioVirtual Foundation to teach an online course on epidemiology to students across the nation, including education on how to advance public health.
Meghna “Chili” and Siona “Dolly” Pramoda (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)
Meghna “Chili” Pramoda, age 17, and Siona “Dolly” Pramoda, age 16, are advocates for digital safety for all. As co-founders of SafeTeensOnline (STO), the Pramoda sisters have educated and empowered over 5 million teens worldwide. STO’s work consists of year-round online awareness campaigns through social media and teen-led large-scale survey and research initiatives on topics such as internet usage and patterns of cyber incidents. During the COVID-19 pandemic when the world moved online, the Pramoda sisters noticed that older members of their community often felt isolated due to a lack of digital literacy. As a result, STO expanded from a teen-focused organization to one that also educates parents, teachers, and grandparents on safe digital practices and on how to build judgment-free spaces online.
