Ms President US

Program Description: Open to all girls in 4th through 8th grade. Sessions are held 1-2x per month, either in person at a local library or over Zoom.

Sessions are led by community and state leaders and include fun, interactive activities. Each session includes a mini-lesson plan and a takeaway message. Each session also includes a high school female in a leadership position.

Enrolled girls:

1. Explore their own potential to lead, enhance skills, & expand knowledge of what it takes to be a leader.
2. Learn about local, state, and federal leadership opportunities.
3. Hear from local and state leaders.
4. Give (or contribute to) a campaign speech, complemented by their choice of creative expression.

Each January, girls begin to prepare their campaign for "Ms. President US" of their town using their choice of media or art and addressing at least 1 issue (school start time, anti-bullying, etc.).

The girl with the top score among all the ballots submitted will be elected Ms President US of the town which they represent. One winner per town.

The girl who wins will "hold office" for 1 year until the next girl is elected. During her "administration" she will be invited to attend, participate and/or speak at Ridgefield community events, alongside the town's mayor or first select person. Girl Scouts badge/credit eligible.

Session Topics: Civic Leadership / Public Service Local, State, and Federal Government Women's History and Leadership Public Speaking, Diplomacy & Listening Skills Communications & Media Meet & Greet Local Leaders State Capitol Visit

The program goals are to: (1) teach girls the importance of female involvement in public service, the responsibility it entails, and the opportunity it provides; and (2) impart exemplary values in future leaders -- values that unite, uplift and inspire regardless of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability.

Ms President US is a non-partisan, non-profit, community-based initiative that focuses on civic engagement and leadership skills for girls entering 4th through 8th grades. Through the program, girls learn about public speaking, diplomacy and listening skills, local/state/federal government, and women's history while having an opportunity to meet and greet exemplary female leaders.

The program culminates with a campaign and election for Ms President US of Ridgefield. The winner will be invited to accompany Ridgefield's First Selectman, Rudy Marconi, at appearances and speaking engagements throughout the year, until the next Ms President US of Ridgefield is elected.

While there are some wonderful programs focused on inspiring high school girls to engage in civic leadership, there are no community-based initiatives that focus on engaging younger girls. The Ms President US program aims to reach girls in 4th through 8th grade, before their self-esteem transitions from peak to plummet, as commonly takes place during the Middle School years.

Founded on November 9, 2016, Ms President US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Ms President US motivates and prepares girls to aim for the highest civic leadership positions and know they can achieve them.