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 Grade: One day shadowing a female leader in state government & Write a short reflection on what you learned about the role you saw in action.
- 6th-8th Grade: One day shadowing a female leader in state government & Write an essay about your mentor, the office you observed, and what you learned about leadership.
- 9th-12th Grade: At least three days shadowing a female leader in state government and learning from their staff & In collaboration with your assigned office, select an ongoing policy topic and write a research paper with personal recommendations for solutions.
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.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 20.
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. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 20.
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!