BPT
This 70-year-old program prepares
young women for leadership
A
record number of women are running for public
office this year. In the near future, we can expect
more female public servants representing the
American people - from local chambers to Capitol
Hill. In light of this exciting trend, it is important to
highlight programs that help develop young women to
become the next generation of female leaders. One such
program? American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation. ALA is a nonpartisan organization committed to
advocating for veterans’ issues, promoting patriotism,
mentoring America’s youth and proudly presenting ALA
Girls Nation for over 70 years. The ALA Girls State and
ALA Girls Nation are privately-funded and presented by
members of the organization. The world’s largest women’s
patriotic service organization, ALA was chartered in 1919
to support the mission of The American Legion.
ALA Girls Nation is a weeklong mock experiential
learning program, one that positions high-potential
teens for a lifetime of public service to our country. This
summer, 100 female high school seniors - two from
each of our 50 states - will convene in Washington, D.C.,
for the 72nd Annual ALA Girls Nation. Each teenage
girl represents her state as a “senator” - mirroring the
structure of government at the federal level. During this
transformative weeklong program, these senators form a
fictitious nation, become “Nationalists” and “Federalists,”
enthusiastically campaign to hold office, and - perhaps
most important - accept and celebrate the outcome of
these elections and come together to serve for the good
of the nation. More than 6,500 young women have attended ALA Girls
Nation since its inception in 1947. Each participant leaves
the program informed about the fundamentals of U.S.
government - and the rights, privileges and responsibilities
of citizens. It lasts for one short week. Yet the seven-day
experience - one that champions the legislative process
and serious collaboration - has laid the foundation for
thousands of bright futures.
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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AUGUST 2018
Many alumnae have chosen careers in public service,
putting their ALA Girls State and ALA Girls Nation
experience into action to serve the people. The lessons
learned about teamwork, resilience and the democratic
principles that guide the republic in which we live are
applied in real life by many alums who have gone on to