Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate mothers around the world, and on this day I cannot help but think about the incredible impact my mother has had on me, my life and my development into a strong, young woman.

Juana recently learned to read — her favorite book is Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. At 31 years old, Juana is the mother of three young daughters who are also learning to read.  In the evenings, they help each other with their homework.

Want to develop the skills you need to drive change for girls everywhere? We’re excited to bring our second annual Girl Up Leadership Summit to Washington, D.C. from June 10-12, and you're invited!

The Women in the World Summit is certainly a star-studded event-- from Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, and Eva Longoria to Oprah, Susan Rice, and Hillary Clinton among many others. For me, the stars who shone brightest were the young women from all over the world who have educated themselves in order to educate their countrywomen.

Last week the UN Foundation, Girl Up, and the Global Conversation hosted a Google+ hangout. Girl advocates and champions shared stories, discussed challenges adolescent girls face in their communities.

This week, the 113th Congress was sworn into office and made record-breaking history with 20 female senators!

Malala Yousafzai made it to TIME Magazine’s shortlist for Person of the Year, ultimately coming in today as the runner-up.

In our first in-person 2012-2013 Teen Advisor meeting in New York, I had the opportunity to meet 15 wonderful Teen Advisors, be inspired by riveting speakers, and reinvigorate my desire to create global equality for my counterparts.

Over the years, as the movement for adolescent girls has grown, these words have become a mantra here at Girl Up. In light of the tragic news we heard yesterday, we feel that they’ve never held truer than in the case of Malala Yousafzai.

I came into the Pennsylvania Conference for Women not knowing what to expect. I simply wanted to promote Girl Up as a “local leader” for the Young Women’s Program, but I left knowing the steps to success.

Never have I been deprived of an education, or healthcare, or my independence just because I am a girl. After some research I learned that girls in developing nations face challenges I don’t have. I decided to create a project called “Raise Her Voice” to raise money for Girl Up so I could help these girls.

Girl Up would like to give a big high five to President Joyce Banda of Malawi! Banda was sworn in on April 7 and takes her place as the second female head of state in Africa.

What do High School Musical, a private wealth advisor, and “philanthro-teens” have in common?  The first ever Girl Up Leadership Summit!  Celebrities, female leaders, and more than 100 fabulous young women from across the country came together last weekend to learn about their peers in developing countries and gain the tools necessary to support them.

Our first ever Leadership Summit was a huge success! The event brought 100 girls from across the country and connected them to women at the top of their game in finance, politics, and entertainment. All 15 of our Teen Advisors came to DC to show their peers on how to spread the Girl Up message and were treated to a tour of the nation’s capital.

When I was eight years old, my friends and I built a fort in my backyard and proudly displayed a sign reading “NO Boys Allowed!” Today, girls around the world are facing serious issues and we need boys to be part of the solution, too.

On Thursday, August 4th, I attended a discussion on a teen's perspective on development. It was very interesting and brought different views on development that I had never thought of!

Last week, Girl Up hosted a an event at the White House that provided a discussion about the lives of girls in African countries and the themes that unite girls, as a way to increase awareness about the issues they face along with their corresponding solutions. In attendance were youth and adults, girls and boys alike.

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to sit down with someone who truly inspires you, but for me, last week I had one of those days. Rosie Schaack, head of THINK Women’s Empowerment Center (Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness) in Liberia, and a partner of the United Nations Foundation, came to our  office in Washington, DC to chat with us about her work with teen girls who were victims of war.

To find a role model that exemplifies a girl’s ability to reach her dreams, you don’t have to look any further than Girl Up Champion and Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Soni. Thanks to her, Girl Up was a featured charity this past weekend at the Ultraswim 2011 competition in Charlotte, NC...

Do you know someone who’s got what it takes to be a Girl Up Teen Advisor? Or maybe you are the girl for the job? Starting TODAY through May 27, anyone is able to nominate a girl entering 7th to 12th grade in 2011 to serve a year-long commitment beginning this September as an advisor for Girl Up. Interested?

First, learn what being a Teen Advisor is all about here. Then ask someone to nominate you on the Girl Up Teen Advisor nomination page.

Last April, a few Glee fans in my school’s choir approached our director, Dr. Robin Garner, and convinced her to allow us to learn and perform a few choral arrangements from the hit TV series. Luckily for us Gleeks, Dr. Garner agreed, but on one condition: it had to be a benefit concert. The problem? We couldn’t decide which organization to support!

It’s taken me a few weeks to settle in at the UN Foundation, and now it’s finally time to introduce myself to you – I’m Gina, the new Girl Up Campaign Director! From the moment I heard about Girl Up and the amazing things you all are doing to unite for girls around the world, I was hooked and knew this was the job for me. Of course my 4-year-old daughter Dylan had to approve of the choice too, as you’ll see in the video below.

Last week, I attended the UN Women’s Youth Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York City. Global youth leaders from all over the world discussed their views on gender equality and what they’re doing to help young women. Participants were of different ages, different genders and from many different countries but the message they were all promoting was clear: empower young women.

Yesterday was such an exciting day! Some of the Girl Up Teen Advisors and I had an incredible time attending the 100th International Women's Day ceremony at the White House. From meeting First Lady Michelle Obama to supporting our very own Shannon McNamara as she opened the event, this day was unforgettable.

According to this week's essay in TIME Magazine by Nancy Gibbs, the hundreds of thousands of young people mobilizing with Girl Up are an "army enlisted in helping girls realize their potential." Whether you are teenage girl (or boy), reading this right now, together, we are a force for change and a generation of investment.