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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Matthew H. Smith |
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Female students shadow legislators for the day
HARRISBURG, March 11 – State Rep. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny, encouraged the next generation of decision makers in Harrisburg this week, as he was shadowed by a Mt. Lebanon High School student as part of the Women and Girl’s Foundation’s Girl Gov program.
Michal Cohen, a sophomore at Mt. Lebanon, followed Smith’s daily schedule, including attending a meeting with fellow legislators, attending a committee hearing, and viewing the Pennsylvania House of Representatives session from the house floor.
"This was really a great experience," Cohen said. "I've been given a whole new perspective on politics and government. I feel really fortunate that Representative Smith enabled me to have this opportunity."
The one-day program gives young women, grades 8 through 12 living in Allegheny County, the opportunity to shadow a state legislator. The day provides the participants with a behind-the-scenes look into state government.
"It is always inspiring to see young people who are interested in public service and working in government to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians," Smith said. "I have two young daughters, and I want civic participation and community leadership to be important to them as they grow up. I commend the Women and Girls Foundation on this program and on providing the participants with a wonderful experience to see the nuts and bolts of the state legislature’s operations."
"Empowering girls to see themselves as our future leaders is our goal," said Heather Arnet, chief executive officer of the Foundation. "We brought them to Harrisburg and to the governor’s mansion so they could imagine themselves working and living in those grand halls some day. We are grateful to Representative Smith and his staff for investing so much time and energy to ensure Michal’s experience engaged her meaningfully in the everyday experience of state lawmakers. I expect, and look forward to the opportunity to vote for her someday."
The Women and Girls Foundation is an independent, community-based foundation serving eleven counties in southwest Pennsylvania, with a mission to achieve equality for women and girls in the region. For more information about the Foundation, visit: www.wgfpa.org
In addition to seeing the day-to-day workings of the state legislature, Cohen attended meetings with House Education Committee staff to discuss state assessment testing and library funding. Cohen and other female students visiting the Capital were recognized on the floor of the House. They later visited the governor’s mansion before returning to Pittsburgh.
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