Notes: First Lady Jill Biden celebrates Alexandria teen as a ‘Girl Leading Change’

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: The weather forecast predicts a mostly sunny day with a high temperature near 74 degrees and a calm wind shifting south at approximately 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low temperature of about 53 degrees accompanied by a light north breeze.

🚨 You need to know

Alexandrian Zahra Rahimi, a 17-year-old Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) student, was cited by First Lady Jill Biden as one of 15 young women leading change in their community.

Biden hosted a “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to celebrate Rahimi and other young women making an impact in their communities.

Rahimi arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, the White House wrote, and since then has supported refugee resettlement in Alexandria. Rahimi also served as a student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education and organized cultural events and staff training to help ACPS prepare for new refugee families.

“Zahra partnered with Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together to establish a special literacy program to support her largely female middle and high school peers who were reading below a second-grade level,” the White House wrote. “In addition to her refugee resettlement efforts, Zahra is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s rights globally, especially in areas of conflict.”

These young women are preserving the earth, writing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose.

Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and I hope that others can learn from their innovation and strength. 💕 pic.twitter.com/VdAoZAZ5vQ

— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) October 11, 2023

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📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

• 6:00 pm: Alexandria Artist Don Rubin at Nepenthe Gallery