Over 100 girls from around the state descended on the state capitol last week for the Third Annual "Girl's Day at the Capitol," sponsored by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) and cosponsored by Miss Alabama’s Teen Addison Shoemaker.
Participants came from around the state and included representatives from the Miss Alabama contest, homeschooled students and students from various schools.
“Though Alabama currently enjoys its second female governor, a female U.S. senator and 24 female members of the Alabama Legislature, our state still ranks 47th nationally with just 18 percent of lawmakers being women,” DuBose said in a statement. “Women bring a unique perspective and a different set of issues, initiatives, and priorities to public service, and it is important for us to encourage future generations of young women to become involved in government and let their voices be heard.”
DuBose and Shoemaker appeared on "Capitol Journal" to discuss the day in a segment recorded before the event. They highlighted their goal for the event and some of the things that made this year different from prior years.
The girls heard from more than just lawmakers this year, with Catherine Gayle Fuller, the chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and Gina Maiola, who serves as Gov. Kay Ivey's communications director, addressing the group.
"There's so many aspects to government that you can work in, not just an elected official. And that's what we're going to bring to light today," Dubose told host Todd Stacy.
The girls also participated in a mock discussion over proposed legislation that would ban minors under the age of 16 from having social media accounts.
DuBose explained, "The bill failed to advance but did receive 25 yes votes out of about 100."
"Girls Day at the Capitol was an inspiration to me as I met with so many outstanding girls from throughout the state," DuBose said in a social media post following the event.
She thanked Fuller and Maiola, as well as giving special thanks to Ivey, "for hosting the girls at the beautifully decorated Governor's Mansion."
In addition, DuBose thanked Hannah Adams, who "spoke to the girls about her experience working in the state house as an intern and her experience in advocating for public policy."
"And my female colleagues in the House of Representatives added their stories of success to the girls day," she added.
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