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High Five girls! I am Eliora Katz and I cannot tell you how honored I am to be a United Nations Foundation Girl Up Teen Advisor.

Washington, DC has been my home base for all my 17 years.

Just like this proud nation’s capital, and probably your hometown as well, I am a vibrant patchwork collection of many different cultures, ideas, traditions, and thoughts.

My interests have grown with the help of various travels and workshops, including studies programs at Columbia University and Parsons. Recently, I created a journey to actually “walk in the hijab” of other teen girls around the world.

What an awesome experience!

I gained so much insight and understanding about them, and unexpectedly about me too.

Just like the Girl Up campaign, I also saw that we girls remain one of the world’s greatest untapped resources. A few years ago, this realization drove me to create “CocoEco.”

Through this new grass-roots teen advocacy organization, I have been privileged to support many critical causes to help save our planet, and its inhabitants — especially its women and girls.

Through CocoEco’s events and blogs, I encourage girls to “step-up” by weaving together cultural awareness and sustainable fashion, with environmental preservation and self-empowerment.

I have interviewed senators, actors, musicians, designers, and even Fran “The Nanny,” all to support vital women’s initiatives.

When I'm not studying or blogging, I can be found in front of the piano, in front of the ballet studio bar, in front of the basketball hoop, or in front of the drawing pad.

I enjoy watching movies, watching people, or just hanging out with my dear friends and family.