American Legion Auxiliary Girls State

About this Event

ALA Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary in hopes of teaching young women about the political process. Girls State is a “learning by doing” program, which takes the girls through the entire political process.
It covers city government which is non-partisan in Iowa. Each citizen is assigned to a floor, which is her city for the week. Early in the week, the girls elect their mayors and city councils, transact city business, pass city ordinances and work on a city project for judging later. They are also divided into political parties and campaign to get their parties candidates elected and create party loyalty. By the end of the week, they have elected county and state officials. On Friday evening, Inauguration is held which includes the closing of the final joint session of the House and Senate and the installation of the Governor and her officials. Scholarships and merit awards are presented and the ALA Girls Nation Senators are announced.
Girls State Citizens must be between their junior and senior year of high school and are selected by their local American Legion Auxiliary Unit which also pays the $400 registration fee. The week at ALA Iowa Girls State is jam packed from dawn to dusk and promises to be a week you’ll never forget!