Girls State
Girls State is a nationally recognized leadership program. For over 75 years, girls have
traveled to Girls State each summer in every state to learn not only about the structure and
responsibilities of state government, but about themselves as well. They learn about the
importance of meaningful participation on all levels: city, county and state by living for a week
as a self governing citizen. This is a week of learning by doing—NO lectures, NO books, andNO tests. Each of the seven days is jam-packed with learning, living, and growing.
Our Unit sends 2 – 3 girls each year to Girls State. The girls selected are eleventhgraders and attend local High Schools. Only one girl from each High School may be chosen.
Each school submits a list of 6-8 girls and then the Girls State Chairman interviews them and
makes a final selection of the delegate and alternates. Every year the delegates and their families
are invited to our May meeting to meet our members. They are invited back again in September
to share their Girls State experiences.
Girls State lasts one week and is scheduled on a College or University campus. Our Unit
pays the $350 fee for each girl. The girls are responsible for their transportation and spending
money. The Unit earns the money for the Girls State fee through their fund raisers such as the
Craft Fair, Auxiliary breakfasts and our Fashion Show. Girls State is a wonderful program and
gives us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these special young women.
Mary Ann Erdmann
Girls State Chairman
(562) 430-5980
mae4ed@aol.com
