Secretary Toulouse Oliver Grants Two New Mexicans The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award
Lila Quezada (left) stands with Secretary Toulouse Oliver at the ceremony in Santa Fe Jan. 6. Courtesy photo
SANTA FE — Earlier this month at a ceremony in Santa Fe, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver presented the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award to two exceptional New Mexico youth leaders.
The 2024 recipients of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award are Lila Quezada and Thanh Nguyen.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Lila Quezada and Thanh Nguyen for their extraordinary commitment to making a difference in their communities,” Secretary Toulouse Oliver said. “Their leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing equality and civic engagement embody the values of the late Congressman John Lewis, who was and is a deep personal inspiration to me. These young leaders are not just shaping the future—they are inspiring us all to create a more just and inclusive world today.”
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is an annual award established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), under the leadership of Secretary Toulouse Oliver who was NASS President at the time, that recognizes gifted, civic-minded young people in each state. The recipients demonstrate leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and are motivated to improve the quality of life in their communities.
Lila Quezada was nominated by Girls Inc. of Santa Fe. As a member of Girls Inc.’s Teen Leadership Council, Lila organized and presented at the 2020 3rd Congressional District Candidate Forum and was a leading advocate for the successful passage of a New Mexico bill requiring affirmative consent education. Over four years, she testified in committee sessions, spoke on the House floor, co-MC’d the 2021 Pro-Choice Women’s March, and advocated for social justice through the Women of Color Collective at the New Mexico School for the Arts. Her efforts earned her roles on Girls Inc. National’s Teen Advocacy Council, as a Brand Ambassador, Youth Advisor for Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, and the 2021 Girls Inc. of Santa Fe Girl of the Year, as well as the prestigious 2022 Yale Bassett Award for Community Engagement.
