Delegates receive special
instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two
mythical political parties. They then campaign, hold rallies, debate and
ultimately vote to elect city, county and state officials. Once elected to
office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Citizens
not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of their
elected or appointed counterparts in actual state, county and city government.
Two outstanding citizens known as “senators”
are selected at each of the 49 Girls State sessions held across the country to
represent their state at American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation held in
Washington, D.C. in July.
Founded in 1919, the American Legion
Auxiliary is the world’s largest patriotic women’s service organization. With a
membership of nearly 850,000, local Auxiliary units have a strong presence in
more than 9,500 communities nationwide. The Auxiliary’s mission to serve
veterans, their families and their communities is carried out through its
hundreds of outreach programs delivered by its members, volunteers and National
Headquarters.