Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker (D-Essex); Councilwoman LaMonica McIver, Newark Municipal Council, Central Ward; Newark Municipal Council President Mildred C. Crump; and Dawn Haynes, Vice-chairperson, Newark Public Schools Board of Education led a Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) Teach a Girl to Lead™ session on Saturday.
The program featured conversation and empowerment during which these leaders shared their journeys and experiences as female elected officials. A total of 15 girls ages 10-14 participated in the fun-filled session which was held at the office of Assemblywoman Tucker.
“Too often, young people, particularly girls, are not aware of the requirements and steps to become an elected official,” said Assemblywoman Tucker. “But programs such as this one help us to educate and start grooming them early for potential careers in public service. By getting them prepared now to take the public service mantle, they’ll be better equipped to do so as adults.”
The girls also learned about different levels of government, participated in a mock political campaign, and pledged to take a leadership role in their school or club.
Assemblywoman Tucker said that she was inspired to host the program after receiving the children’s book “Grace for President” from Rutgers CAWP.
Rutgers University’s Teach a Girl to Lead™ program provides the tools and resources to help young people rethink leadership and refocus the picture, because if a girl can’t imagine a woman leader, how can she become one?