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Asked and Answered: Can Girls Change the World?

Summary: 
On Women's Equality Day, read what President Obama wrote to three young women who asked him for some advice on whether "girls can change the world."

Nearly 100 years ago, bands of dedicated women who had marched and organized for the right to vote finally won a victory on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment was certified and the right to vote was secured.

To celebrate Women's Equality Day and pay tribute to the trailblazers and suffragists who fought for equality for women and girls, we wanted to share a letter exchange between President Obama and three young women.

Delaney, along with her friends Carrigan and Bree, wrote to the President with a problem: some boys in their neighborhood said that "girls cannot change the world." 

Here is the handwritten letter from Delaney and her friends (complete with some pretty cool stickers). Read President Obama's response -- and make sure to check out Delaney's reaction.

Letter from Delaney

Dear Mr. President
 
Two boys that are in our neighborhood said that girls can not change the world. I hope you can give us some advice to change the world or to help us standup to the two boys.
 
from,
Delaney, Carrigan, and Bree

 

The President's response to Delaney and her friends:

 

President Obama's response

The White House
Washington
December 8, 2015
 
Dear Delaney:
 
Thanks for writing to me with your friends to let me know what was going on in your neighborhood. Don't listen to those boys -- girls can change the world, and your letter gave me the sense that you are a strong group of young ladies who will always speak up when things don't seem right.
 
In the years ahead, remember that nothing is beyond your reach as long as you set your sights high and stay involved in the issues that matter to you Know that our Nation is one where everyone can pursue their dreams and that with hard work, you can accomplish anything you can imagine. I'm confident all three of you have bright futures ahead -- and if any boys tell you otherwise, let them know that their President said they better start recognizing that girls change the world every day.
 
Your friend,
 
Barack Obama

 

Delaney was excited to get the President's response -- here's what she wrote back:

Delaney's response to President Obama

Dear Mr President
 
I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the letter. I loved the letter it is the best. I got the package and I had no clue what was inside and when I opened I looked inside and saw the letter and I was so happy and excited that you saw my letter and wrote back that I started to cry. I hope I will get to meet you one day because you inspired me by saying girls change the world every day. So thank you for the letter. Your the best!
 
Your friend,
 
Delaney