\

The American Legion Auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideals and principles of government will help to ensure the survival of democracy. Girls State is a unique citizenship training program in which Auxiliary members guide the youth of our nation toward an understanding, comprehension and appreciation of their roles as United States citizens.

WHAT IS GIRLS STATE?

Girls State offers training in the practical processes of self government and good citizenship as practiced in a democratic society.  Each summer, approximately 20,000 enthusiastic young women participate in Girls State sessions across the nation. At Girls State, the “citizens” study local, county and state government processes. They do this by setting up their own miniature city, county and state governments and administer them according to the laws of their particular state.  After arriving at Girls State, the citizens are divided into two political parties, often named the Nationalists and the Federalists. These parties do not reflect the two major political parties in today’s system of government.   The parties allow citizens to gain knowledge about the  operation of a two-party system.  Girls State citizens participate in these instructional political parties, and elections are held to fill city and state positions. Activities include legislative sessions, campaigning, party rallies, debating and voting. The citizens also receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure.

HISTORY OF GIRLS STATE

Girls State began as one- and two-day sessions in the late 1930s. Washington, D.C. and Delaware are credited with first launching the program. In 1939, Girls State was expanded to a week-long government education program. Since 1948, it has been a regular part of the Auxiliary’s Americanism curriculum.  For more than 60 years, the American Legion Auxiliary has succeeded in giving young women the finest citizenship training program possible. The program has grown from a few hundred participants to nearly 20,000 Girls State delegates annually.  The Auxiliary has long been recognized by Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa., for the Girls State and Girls Nation programs. Girls Nation has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and has been placed on the National Advisory List of Contests and Activities

OBJECTIVES

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary have structured the Girls State program in order to meet the

following objectives:

       ✭ to develop leadership and pride in American citizens

       ✭ to educate citizens about our system of government

       ✭ to instill a greater understanding of American traditions

       ✭ to stimulate a desire to maintain our democratic government processes

CRITERIA

Girls State delegates are a diverse group of women who share a common desire to learn. From small towns to urban areas, the delegates’ varying backgrounds add spirit to the program.  Delegates to the Girls State program are selected by American Legion Auxiliary Units working with local high school educators who assist in evaluating potential leadership qualities of the delegates.  The number of Girls State citizens in each state varies greatly and is determined by each state’s  American Legion Auxiliary available resources.  The program is funded by the American Legion Auxiliary, with some additional support coming from other civic and non-profit organizations. Little or no expense is required of the young woman and her family.

SCHOLARSHIP

If eligible, Girls State citizens have the opportunity to receive financial assistance through the Samsung American Legion Scholarship.  This scholarship will be awarded to qualified students who are Descendants of United States wartime veterans. Selection criteria includes academic record, community involvement, school activities and financial need.  Various other college scholarships are offered through the American Legion Auxiliary. Check with your local American Legion Auxiliary Unit to see

what scholarships are available in your area.

Girls State sessions are conducted in 49 states.  Each American Legion Auxiliary Department (State) is responsible for the operation of its Girls State program. Most are held on college or university campuses, which offer dormitory accommodations.

The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program has provided High School Juniors all across the country the opportunity to participate in a hands-on citizenship training program for over 60 years.

These young ladies learn government by actually creating a mythical state through the election of public officials on local, county, and state levels and then by carrying out the duties of these respective offices.

A continuation of Girls State is Girls Nation where two Senators from each state are selected to participate in a simulated National government program in Washington, D. C. The following are the areas of emphasis this year:

• PATRIOTISM as Girls State citizens gain a better understanding of our American traditions and a greater appreciation of our country and our flag as well as learn our government processes through simulated real life involvement in all levels of government.

• PARTICIPATION in the citizen's communities when she returns home and begins a life long commitment to be active in all levels of our government. To produce Girls State Citizens with this commitment of participation, units must make wise selections of delegates, provide them with informative orientations before the session begins, and then give them recognition when they return home.

• PROGRESS into the future by adding new and innovative enhancement to our program.

I hope all Departments will “Catch the Wave of Patriotism, Participation, and Progress” and make each Girls State session a week that will change a lifetime.