October 11, International Day of the Girl Child

In 2011, the United Nations declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. This day recognizes girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

With the 2024 U.S. general election on November 5 just weeks away, Peconic Bay Zonta salutes the work of Melina Carnicelli, founder of 1st Amendment-1st Vote.

Ist Amendment-1st Vote offers high school girls opportunities to engage in the democratic process and imagine themselves in elected office or professional government-related jobs.

While many women have mounted campaigns and won elected office in the last few years, the gender gap has remained large. In 2024, women hold 25 percent of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate. In the U.S. House of Representatives, women hold 29 percent of 439 seats (source: Center for American Women and Politics).

This year, a woman is on the presidential ballot. Granddaughters of Peconic Bay member Mona Rowe have been with their mom canvassing for Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to serve as the country’s vice president.

Here, the girls approach a house in Pennsylvania. Both of them students in middle school, they are getting an early civics lesson.