Talented women from throughout San Diego County gathered in Escondido for the Girls State Tea on May 4, to honor promising young women they selected as delegates for the Girls State weeklong program in participatory democracy. The program is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, the patriotic women’s service organization affiliated with The American Legion, and Auxiliary Units choose young women for Girls State on the basis of civic engagement, volunteer activity, scholastic achievement, and leadership potential. The tea was held at the American Legion’s J.B. Clark Post 149.
Among the young women tapped for the program was a member of the extended family of The East County Californian, Laura Williamson, daughter of Rebecca Jeffries Williamson, a frequent contributor to this publication. Laura attends West Hills High School. Other East County girls selected for Girls State this year are Rutendo Mubaiwa from Grossmont High School, Judy Au from Helix Charter School, and Kimberley Linman from Valhalla High School. La Mesa Auxiliary Unit 282 sponsors the girls.
Girls State this year will be held at Claremont-McKenna College in Claremont, California, June 23-28. Delegates to Girls State form their own representative government from scratch, writing the laws to govern themselves, running for public offices, and executing the laws they have written and authorized. The program supports two key pillar programs of The American Legion, Americanism and children and youth.
Laura Williamson expressed enthusiasm about being selected. “I’m really excited about going to Girls State,” she said. And mother Rebecca Williamson beamed over her daughter being honored.
