The Illinois State Board of Education's mission is to provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders. Our vision is that each and every child is equipped to make meaningful contributions to society and live life to its fullest potential.
Overview
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls, chaired by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, invites all girls in Illinois between 5th grade–12th grade to apply for Girls Lead: a unique job shadow and mentoring opportunity. Accepted students will shadow a woman leader in state government to see the direct impact women make on Illinois. Participating mentors come from different areas of state government and serve in various leadership roles, including elected General Assembly-women, policy directors, general counsels, chiefs of staff, agency directors, and more.
- 5th-8th Grade: Girls spend one day shadowing a woman leader in state government and share a short reflection essay on their experience.
- 9th-12th Grade: Girls spend a minimum of two days shadowing a woman leader in state government and interacting with their staff. Girls will then write an essay about their mentor, the office they observed, and what they learned about leadership.
Who should apply?
Students who demonstrate a strong desire to learn about the inner workings of state government. Scoring of applications will not be grade-based; instead, applicants will be judged on a scale emphasizing diverse achievements, personal resilience, examples of leadership (any size or shape), and community contributions.
All participants will spend at least one day in either Springfield or Chicago for their shadow day(s), depending on location. Must provide transportation.
Deadline: December 1, 2025