Summer Leadership Retreat for Girls

Young Women's Political Leadership Retreat
Washington, DC
July 15-19, 2009

Running Start is pleased to announce that we will be hosting our third annual Young Women's Political Leadership Retreat this summer to train high school girls in political leadership skills and advocacy. Fifty girls from across the United States, who are rising sophomores, juniors and seniors, will be chosen to participate in this exciting program. The retreat, which will take place at American University in Washington, DC over 4 days and203 nights, will allow the participants to meet extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and learn about the importance of having more women in political leadership, and the importance of running for office themselves.

Just as we strive for diversity in leadership in government, Running Start also strives for diversity in our summer program. We extend the opportunity to participate in the program to girls from all different backgrounds, from public, private and charter schools, and from all 50 States.

Summer Leadership Retreat

The Leadership Retreat will train the girls in important leadership skills including:
- Public speaking
- Advocacy
- Role-playing and debate
- Collaboration
- Persuasive writing

The girls will learn about political leadership by working with inspirational women leaders, including Congresswomen and other elected officials and leaders in business, media and law. Experts in public speaking and advocacy will train them. We will put their own leadership in the context of the history of women in politics, and show them how vital their participation is. The girls will have the chance to practice their own leadership skills with both their peers and experts in the political field. They will learn by doing, and most of the sessions will be highly interactive. By the end of the summer retreat they will have gained confidence in their own leadership abilities, and be ready to bring their leadership to their schools and communities.

Our Goals

Ultimately, the goal is to equip these young women with the skills, knowledge, and sense of leadership necessary to make informed, compassionate, and powerful change wherever they choose to go. The program will give the girls the tools necessary to actively engage on issues in their communities and abroad. We hope that these early leadership lessons will show the girls that political leadership is an excellent way to be an agent of change, and that they have the power to lead.

Logistics

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and no applications will be accepted after February 16, 2009. The girls will be chosen based on their leadership potential, demonstrated commitment to improvement or excellence in academics, and passion for community, government, service, and peer mentoring. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and no applications will be accepted after February 16, 2009. The girls will be chosen based on their leadership potential, demonstrated commitment to improvement or excellence in academics, and passion for community, government, service, and peer mentoring.

Overnight accommodations will be at the American University dormitories, located at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC. Meals, accommodations, and program costs will be paid for by Running Start. However, students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program. Need-based scholarships are available. Please apply online at: http://www.runningstartonline.org/

Applicants will be contacted by a member of the Running Start staff within 2-3 weeks of the receipt of their application for a phone interview.

For more information, please call Susannah Shakow at 202-421-4102 or e-mail info@runningstartonline.org