Neighbor News
CT Elected Officials Meet With Young Female Leaders
Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz headlines Ms President US "Girls Rock the Capitol" Event
On March 10, approximately 75 girls from 10 CT towns participating in the Ms President US program took part in the annual “Girls Rock the Capitol” event, an inspiring field trip to the Connecticut State Capitol, Old State House/CT Democracy Center, CT Museum and Library, and CT Supreme Court. Girls in grades 4-8 from Greenwich, Ridgefield, Westport, Wilton, Old Saybrook, Norwalk, Hamden, Stamford, Redding, and Middletown experienced a day of immersive exposure to government, leadership, and civic engagement.
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz presented official citations to the 2025 Ms President US winners, recognizing their hard work, leadership, and dedication to their communities and emphasizing the need for female leadership. “Right now is a very important moment for our girls and young women to see women in leadership roles and to see someday soon a female president of the United States,” she said. “Ms President US is really important for girls to have the opportunity to meet female leaders here at our Capitol, in our state government, so they can see themselves in future roles.”
Elected officials from all over the state took time to share their wisdom and admiration for the participants and to emphasize the importance of civic participation and female empowerment, including:
- State Representative Kai Belton - Representing Middletown
- State Representative Jason Buchsbaum - Representing Bridgewater, Roxbury, New Milford, Southbury
- State Representative Aimee Berger-Girvalo - Representing Ridgefield
- State Representative Savet Constantine - Representing New Canaan, Ridgefield, Wilton
- State Representative Devin Carney - Representing Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook
- State Representative Dominique Johnson - Representing Nowalk, Westport
- State Representative Tracy Marra - Representing Norwalk
- State Representative Laurie Sweet - Representing Hamden
- State Representative Mary Welander - Representing Hamden, Woodbridge
- State Senator Julie Kushner - Representing Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Danbury
- State Senator Ceci Maher - Representing Darien, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
- Legislative Aide Breanna Horton - On behalf of State Senator Martha Marx - Representing Old Saybrook, Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Salem, Waterford
“It’s a highlight of our program to provide these young leaders with the opportunity to engage with government officials and see democracy in action,” said Amanda Cordano, Executive Director of Ms President US. “Experiences like this help cultivate the next generation of strong, informed, and engaged leaders.”
Next up for Ms President US is its Signature Campaign and Election, where girls from 12 CT towns campaign to be elected Ms President US 2026 of their towns. On April 26th, the candidates will present platforms focused on a range of issues, including climate change, bullying, mental health, and senior citizen safety. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend and vote. RSVP here.
Ms President US motivates and prepares girls to aim for the highest civic leadership positions, instilling the tools and confidence needed for success. Through educational programming and hands-on experiences such as “Girls Rock the Capitol” and the Signature Election event, the nonpartisan nonprofit empowers young women to become leaders today and every day. For more information about Ms President US, visit www.mspresidentus.org.
