Do you know an amazing female high school student, that would benefit from attending a free political leadership retreat in Washington, D.C.?
Back in 1993, at the age of 13, I was blessed to win a trip to Washington, D.C. to learn about our government. This trip was sponsored by an organization called, Best Friends, which was spearheaded by Barbara Eagleton, the wife of former Senator Thomas Eagleton. It was through this opportunity, that I first visited our nation’s Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, and met various elected officials. I fell in love with D.C. and began to seriously explore the possibility of running for public office at the tender age of 13.
Now almost 15 years later, it has become a sense of obligation, that I do all I can to support and motivate other young women to become active and involved in the political process.
Had I not won the free trip, back in 1993, to Washington, D.C. I am not sure if I would have had the interest or self-assuredness to apply for a job on Capitol Hill immediately after college graduation. It was through my 1993 experience that led to an internship during college in Washington, D.C. That internship experience, ultimately resulted in a full time position, at Capitol Hill as a congressional staffer to former Minority Leader, Dick Gephardt. Oftentimes, success occurs when opportunity crashes into exposure. It is my hope, that young women in our community will become exposed to the many great programs that exist to encourage young women into public office.
RUNNING START sounds like a wonderful program to help train young women and get them active and involved in the community.
Running Start is accepting applications for their 2009 Young Women’s
Political Leadership Retreat. Please share with local teachers and encourage
any high school girls you know to apply.
COST: The program is entirely FREE of charge, and travel scholarships are
Available to sophomores, juniors and seniors!
WHAT: Running Start encourages high school girls from across the country
To channel their leadership into politics. Participants will meet
extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and learn the
importance of having more women in political leadership and running
for office. (Even if the girls are not interested in politics, this is a
great program way for them to build self-esteem, practice public
speaking and learn to collaborate with other young women.)
WHO: Open to rising Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in high school
WHERE: American University, Washington D.C.
WHEN: July 15-19 2009 (no applications will be accepted after February
16, 2009)
APPLY ONLINE:
http://www.runningstartonline.org/leadership-program/index.php
