January 21, 2021 – The Illinois Council on Women and Girls invites young women ages 14 through 18 to apply to join the council’s new Girls Committee. Participants will share about their experiences and perspectives to help make Illinois a place where all girls can thrive.
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls, which is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, advises Governor JB Pritzker and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting women and girls in Illinois. Girls participating in the council will have the opportunity to make a difference in issues affecting their lives and the lives of their peers.
The council highly values diversity in its membership and seeks applicants with a range of geographic, racial, academic, and personal backgrounds. Applications to the Girls Committee are due by Feb. 16.
Girls Committee participants will serve for one-year terms on the council, attending one-hour quarterly meetings for the Girls Committee and one-hour quarterly meetings for one of the other council committees (Gender-based Violence, Academic and Economic Opportunity, Leadership and Inclusion, or Health), for a total of eight meetings per year. Girls may choose to attend one-hour quarterly meetings of the entire council and/or to participate further in committee work and meet with other members in between official meetings. Girls Committee meetings will begin in March 2021. Virtual participation is available at all council and committee meetings.
A panel composed of current council members will evaluate applications based on Diversity, Interest, Responsibility, Communication, Collaboration, and Problem-Solving and will invite selected applicants to interview.
All Girls Committee applicants will have the opportunity to participate in focus groups to contribute their ideas on how Illinois can improve systems and policies to benefit women and girls.
If you have any questions or experience any technical issues accessing or submitting the application, please contact council member Jackie Matthews at [email protected] or (312) 590-4327.