Developing leadership skills, confidence and action-based understanding of the government process gives young women a lasting foundation for success, both personally and professionally. The American Legion Auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideals and principles of government will help ensure the survival of our democracy. ALA Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which American Legion Auxiliary members guide young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy and patriotic citizens.
Purpose StatementTo provide an outstanding, unique, and coveted educational opportunity for the young women of our nation that instills the basic ideals and principles of American government through the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation citizenship training programs.
Learn more about ALA Girls Nation
The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.
The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.
Each summer, approximately 20,000 young women participate in weeklong ALA Girls State programs across the nation. Every American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program operates with the same patriotic values through a nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders, campaigning in mock parties (often called “Federalists” and “Nationalists”) to become mayors and county and state officials of their ALA Girls State. The program is a weeklong immersive learning experience, often held on a college campus where girls live in “cities” within a dormitory-like setting. The learning, experience, memories, and friendships last a lifetime.
ALA Girls State delegates are a diverse group of young women with a shared desire to learn and lead. Girls State “citizens” come together from small towns, big cities, and rural areas to hold Girls State elections, and their varied backgrounds set the stage for a week of spirited, experiential learning. American Legion Auxiliary units work with local high school educators to identify girls who have demonstrated leadership qualities. Eligible female students are then recommended and selected by sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary units. Female delegates to ALA Girls State programs must be a legal inhabitant of the United States, either a U.S. citizen or a have a valid U.S. government-issued identification, have completed their junior year in high school and have at least one semester remaining. Each ALA Girls State program and/or ALA unit determines the process they will use to select the delegates for their state, and those decisions are final. The number of ALA Girls State citizens varies by state and is determined by each state’s American Legion Auxiliary resources. Female high school juniors interested in applying to attend ALA Girls State are encouraged to contact their school counselor or their local American Legion Auxiliary units regarding the application process and deadline.
Thank you ALA Girls State! "I wanted to personally thank the American Legion Auxiliary for sponsoring me and giving me the opportunity to attend ALA Girls State in the summer of 2014. ALA Girls State taught me many things and I learned how to be a better leader and responsible adult. I recently applied for and was awarded the NROTC scholarship to further my dream of becoming a Marine Corps officer, and I believed many of the attributes I learned at ALA Girls State helped make that happen. Thank you again for what you did for me and the opportunity you gave me."
American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters