Program In Camden Aims To Close Gender Gap In Politics By Inspiring Girls
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Women are more than half of the U.S. population, yet hold less than 20 percent of seats in Congress. A program in Camden, New Jersey is hoping to close this gender gap in politics by inspiring high school girls.
"We're encouraging them to think of themselves as qualified to run for office," says Harriet Snyder, an officer with the League of Women Voters of Camden County. The group partnered with the likes of Delta Sigma Theta and the Rotary Club to organize "Running and Winning," a workshop that brings in female elected officials to mentor high school girls. On Tuesday, they mentored 60 girls from Camden LEAP Academy University Charter School. The young ladies learned about voting rights, created a campaign, wrote speeches and held a mock election for New Jersey State Senate.
"The girls will self-select as either candidate, campaign manager, speech writer or publicist," says Snyder, "we want them to think for themselves."
"Women typically wait to be asked to run for public office, whereas men seem to feel entitled," says Camden Mayor Dana Redd. She gave the day's keynote, telling the girls her journey to Mayor, telling stories about the highs and lows of leadership and encouraging the girls to keep going.
"They shouldn't limit themselves, they should dream big but they should also prepare, plan, and then proceed," she says.
"Yes, I think I will run for office one day," says Aminah Brownlee, a senior at LEAP. She is school president and helped bring better menus, school trips and other changes to the school. The future forensic psychologist is headed to Morgan State University on full scholarship.
"Seeing how they got to where they were it made me see that this is something I'd like to do," she says.
And with a full scholarship -- yes she can.
