The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly 1 million young people have had the opportunity to learn firsthand how their state and local government works.

High school girls who have completed their junior year spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state (with the exception of Hawaii).

Participants learn how to participate in the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation, a national government training program. Girls Nation "senators" meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and possibly meet with state representatives and senators. Capping off the week of Girls Nation is oftentimes a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House.

To find out more about American Legion Auxiliary Girls State for your state, click on the tabs on the left of this page to obtain the application and information.

 

 

American Legion Auxiliary

 

Are You Up

For The Challenge?

 

 

Developing leadership skills,

confidence and poise gives young

women a lasting foundation

for success in their personal and

professional lives.

 

Girls State offers training in the practical processes of 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. Then, they administer them according to the laws of their particular state.

After arriving at Girls State, the citizens are divided into two political parties 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.

Girls State gives participants the experience of living together as self-governing citizens with the privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. This learning experience helps educate young women about their duties as United States citizens and encourages their participation in the democratic process.