In honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden recently celebrated ten young women leaders (including one from Cumming), selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who, the White House says, are “leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States.”
“These incredible honorees are meeting the challenges they see in the world by developing innovative new technologies, expanding access to education…and more,” Dr. Biden said in introducing the group.
Pragathi Kasani-Akula, 17, of Cumming, is a scientist and innovator dedicated to developing novel solutions that make health care more accessible to people across the world, according to the White House. 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.
The others in the group are from New Mexico, Portugal, Connecticut, Illinois, California (2) Puerto Rico, Virginia and Colorado.
(Photo courtesy the White House. Kasni-Akula (R) addresses the gathering at the White House event.)