Youngest Female Ever Elected To Congress Helps Kickoff Dold's Young Women's Leadership Academy

The youngest woman ever to be elected to the United States House of Representatives inspired young women during a launch event for the 10th District Young Women’s Leadership Academy Monday in Lake Forest.

Dozens of young women from throughout Chicago’s north suburbs listened intently and learned from the experiences of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), who touched on her inspirations and the challenges she’s met while promoting the first-time leadership program recently launched by U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (IL-10) at Elawa Farms.

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“It’s an honor to be able to participate in programs that help empower women,” Stefanik said, praising Dold’s initiative that will provide young women enrolled in high school and college the opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn more about the legislative process.

“Our nation will benefit greatly by encouraging more young women to seek leadership roles, and I was thrilled to be invited to speak to our next generation of female leaders.”

Stefanik, who was elected to Congress in 2014 at the age of 29, talked about the unique perspective she has being young, and a woman, in Congress.

“This gives me the platform to talk about my perspective on the nation’s biggest issues,” she said.

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Politics have always been an interest for Stefanik. She talked about running for student council in Middle School and volunteering with local campaigns in high school.

A few years after participating in the Women’s Leadership Project at Harvard, Stefanik was inspired to run for office following the results of the 2012 Presidential election.

Her election was an important step for millennials (those born between 1982 and 2000), who need to become “an important part of the decision making process,” she said.

Those on hand at Elawa Farms, some who will seek to be part of the academy’s fall semester from August to November, fit in to the “millennial” category.

“Our goal is to give you the opportunity to build relationships and hear from some women about how to best navigate through politics and business,” said Dold. “To help inspire the next generation of women to become leaders in government, business, education and more.”

Applications will be accepted for the fall semester through July 15. Selected participants will be notified before August 1.

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