Building Democracy, One Girl at a Time
When Marie Wilson and Carolyn McKecuen started Take our Daughters to Work Day© over fifteen years ago at the Ms. Foundation, they showed young girls the unlimited nature of their potential in the
workforce. The program challenged girls to dream big and envision themselves as accomplished women, while providing an opportunity for both
women and men to encourage and connect with the young girls in their lives.
- Girls now know that they can grow up to be whatever they want to be.
- Now, in 2008, it's time to encourage a different kind of girl power.
- It's time to Take our Daughters to the Polls.
Why our Daughters? Why the Polls?
We know that children model their own dreams on what adults and society show them to be possible.
The U.S. currently ranks an astounding 71st in the world in women's political representation. Women leaders make up just 16% of the Senate, 23% of state legislatures, and 10% of big city mayors. With so few women to emulate, young girls are going to have a hard time believing that they can make a difference in politics when they grow up.
Unless, of course, their moms and dads, aunts and uncles, grandparents and other grown-ups show them otherwise.
By taking our daughters to the polls, we show them that they are in fact a valuable part of the political process.
What You Can Do
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Join the Take Our Daughters to the Polls campaignTeaching girls the power of their vote begins with you. Sign a pledge to take a young girl to the polls on Election Day. |
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Register to VoteDon't forget to make sure you're registered in your state-and remember to vote on November 4th! |
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Encourage others to join the campaignInvite your friends and family to join us as we encourage millions of young girls to claim their political power by sending an eCard. |
Take our Daughters to the Polls Coalition Partners include: 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women, Dads and Daughters, Every Child Matters, Feminist Majority Foundation, Girls Inc., Girls on the Run International, Girl Scouts of Colorado, Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore, Girl Scouts of the USA, Global Action for Children, Latina Initiative, Mi Familia Vota, The Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, MomsRising.org, Mothers Acting Up, New Moon Girl Media, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, Progress Now, The Motherhood, Women's Campaign Forum, Women's Voices, Women Vote.
Take our Daughters to the Polls is a non-partisan initiative envisioned by the co-creators of Take our Daughters to Work Day©, a Ms. Foundation initiative- Marie C. Wilson (President and Founder, The White House Project) and Carolyn McKecuen (Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation)- and is supported by a national coalition of women's organizations. The program will utilize local, regional, and national media to encourage the political participation of girls across the country, commencing with the 2008 presidential election cycle.
To Get Involved: Please contact Elizabeth Hines, Communications Director, The White House Project: 212.261.4346 / ehines@TheWhiteHouseProject.org.
© Take Our Daughters to the Polls