Call for Nominations: Girls Committee of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls
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The Illinois Council on Women and Girls is excited to announce an open call for nominations to the Girls Committee! Girls Committee members will collaborate with Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton to share their perspectives on critical issues facing young women in Illinois. We invite stakeholders, including lawmakers and community leaders, to help us identify high school girls who would benefit from this unique opportunity. We have extended the deadline! Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Nomination Criteria:
- Eligibility: Nominees must be female-identifying or nonbinary youth residing in Illinois and currently enrolled in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades.
- Underrepresented Voices: We are looking to uplift girls who have not previously had access to similar opportunities.
- Emerging Leaders: Ideal candidates are those who have not yet held leadership positions in school clubs, sports, or extracurriculars and who may not otherwise have access to this type of experience.
- Diverse Backgrounds: The Council highly values diversity in its membership and seeks nominations from a range of geographic, racial, academic, and personal backgrounds. Selection for the Girls Committee will be based on the perspective and life experiences each girl could contribute to the Council, rather than an evaluation of their academic or extracurricular experiences.
Why Nominate?
The Girls Committee provides a platform for young women to:
- Gain valuable experience in leadership and governance.
- Engage with key issues affecting women and girls in Illinois.
- Develop skills that will benefit their personal and professional growth.
- Build a network of peers and women leaders across the state.
Commitment & Expectations:
Girls Committee members will serve one-year terms on the Council during calendar year 2025. As often as once every other week, Committee members will attend Girls Committee meetings to research a critical issue facing young women and girls in Illinois. Their research will be used to develop a presentation, which will be given to Lt. Governor Stratton and the full Illinois Council on Women and Girls. In addition to the Girls Committee, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls has four other sub-committees: Gender-based Violence, Academic and Economic Opportunity, Leadership and Inclusion, or Health. Girls Committee members will also attend one-hour quarterly meetings for one of the other Council sub-committees and quarterly meetings of the entire Council, typically held from 4-5:30 p.m. during the work week. Virtual participation is available for all Council and committee meetings.
Contact Information:
If you have questions or experience any technical issues accessing or submitting the nomination form, please contact Council member Jackie Matthews at jmatthew@isbe.net or (312) 590-4327.
Your nomination could make a significant difference in a young woman's life and future. Thank you for your support!