Application process begins January 1

Running Start is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring young women and girls to run for political office. The goal is to increase the number of women in the United States who serve in elected office by planting the seed early that women are needed in politics. The application process for the 2010 program begins January 1, 2010.

Next July, selected high school girls will spend five days in Washington, D.C. learning about leadership and politics. The Young Women’s Political Leadership Program (YWPL) introduces high school girls to the importance of women in political leadership. The program begins with a five-day retreat in July where the girls participate in workshops led by experts in the field on public speaking, debate, messaging, networking, on-camera media training, and advocacy. Young women candidates and elected officials speak to the girls about what it is like to run as a young woman, how to get involved on a local level, and why they feel it is important to get more women elected.

The girls are in communication with Running Start several times during the year to follow up on program initiatives. The goal of the program is to encourage the girls to channel their leadership into politics.

For more information, e-mail: [email protected] or visit the Running Start website at: http://www.runningstartonline.org.