Girls Nation

Updated on Nov 13, 2023

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Girls Nation is an annual civic training program run by the American Legion Auxiliary. It is analogous to Boys Nation.

The first American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation was held August 9-August 14, 1947, with 82 girls and 41 states participating. It has been held each year subsequently. In order to attend the event, participating Girls State sessions select two participants to represent the state at Girls Nation. It, much like Girls State, is a "hands on" election simulation, only focusing on federal government rather than state government. These representatives, the Girls Nation "senators," are divided into two political parties. The parties do not reflect the two major political parties in today's system, but allow citizens to gain a special knowledge of how the system works. Girls Nation is funded by the national organization of the Auxiliary, with some support from each participating state. Little or no expense is required of the representative or her family.

The Auxiliary has been recognized many times by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for outstanding Girls State and Girls Nation programs. It has also been recognized through the media in "Career World" magazine, WAM!, Children's Television Network (Encore Media Corporation), and many newspapers. The delegates of Girls Nation, alongside the American Legion's Boys Nation delegates, are additionally given the opportunity to meet Barack Obama as well as other House Representatives and Senators during their weeklong program.

At this point in time, 98 girls attend Girls Nation. Hawaii began participation in Girls Nation in 2016.

Program Goals

The official goals of the program are to

Develop leadership and pride in American citizens;

Educate participants about our system of government;

Instill in participants a greater understanding of American traditions;

Stimulate a desire to maintain our government processes.

Officers (2016-2017)

President: Emmy Bribiesca (TX)

Vice-President: Alexa Holston (CO)

President Pro-Tempore: Kyung Mi Lee (HI)

Secretary of the Senate: Sydney Klabnik (PA)

Sergeant at Arms to the Senate: Olivia Archibald (ID)

Senate Chaplain: Hannah Groenke (IL)

Majority Whip: Eliza McCarthy (PA)

Minority Whip: Emma Risley (NJ)

Majority Floor Leader: Abby Scholer (NC)

Minority Floor Leader: Hannah Hendrickson (MN)

Nationalist Party Chairperson: Meena Venkataramanan (AZ)

Federalist Party Chairperson: McKenzie Melvin (DE)

Officers (2014-2015)

President: Sydney Roberts (OR)

Vice-President: Ogechi Obed (CA)

President Pro-Tempore: Julia Nusgart (IL)

Secretary of the Senate: Mary Floreani (TX)

Sergeant at Arms to the Senate : Maria Vargas (VA)

Senate Chaplain: Quinn Conrad (MD)

Majority Whip: Emma Nichols (MD)

Minority Leader: Morgaan Jessell (FL)

Minority Whip: Grace Hoffa (MN)

Officers (2013-2014)

President: Attiya Latif (MD)

Vice-President: Yujin Seo (NV)

President Pro-Tempore: Elena Sokoloski (OH)

Federalist Party Chairman: Samantha Srok (WI)

Nationalist Party Chairman: Dixe Schillaci (IN)

Majority Leader: Shing-Shing Cao (DE)

Majority Whip: Sumaia Masoom (WI)

Minority Leader: Julia Espero (NV)

Minority Whip: Aridnee Thomas (NM)

Officers (2012-2013)

President: Alauna Sessoms-Hall (CA)

Vice President: Anjali Fernandes (MO)

President Pro Tempore: Riya Patel (VT)

Nationalist Party Chairman: Willow Huber (IA)

Federalist Party Chairman: Abigail Lore (NH)

Officers (2011-2012)

President: Jennifer Berrian (FL)

Vice President: Rebecca Pelletier (ME)

President Pro Tempore: Tracy Nelson (FL)

Nationalist Chairman: Mackenzie Austin (CA)

Federalist Chairman: Kailey Pickitt (SC)

Minority Leader: Aviva Shwayder (MI)

Minority Whip: Katie Fritchman (PN)

References

Girls Nation Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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