A few weeks back, a teacher told me that my friend, Courtney Marston and I had the chance to go to Girl’s Day at the State House. She asked us if we were interested, and we both, said yes.

On Thursday, March 19, we went to the State House. When we arrived, we could get breakfast and we got your group assignments. We were split into ten groups. They also gave us t-shirts that said, Girls Rock the House. . . and the Senate! We changed into them for the day. Sarah Standiford, who is the Executive Director of the Maine Women’s Policy Center, welcomed us and told us how our day would go.

After the registration and welcome, we met with Governor Baldacci for about twenty minutes and he talked with us and answered any questions we had.

Then, we all continued into a mock public hearing. Three groups (red, yellow, and orange) went to room 202 in the Cross Building. Another set of three groups (green, dark blue, and teal) went to room 216 in the Cross Building. Four groups (purple, ‘gray, black, and white) went into room 220, also in the Cross Building. I was in room 202 and we randomly separated into three groups. One group sat at the front of the room as the legislators. Another group was for the bill. The last group, of which I was in, was against the bill. The bill basically, stated that an employee may ask about other employee’s wages and the employer may not discriminate against the employee. The group for the bill went before the legislators first. They presented their argument well. Then our group presented our argument. The legislators discussed whom they, think should win and four out of fourteen legislators voted that the bill pass, while nine out of fourteen voted that the bill fail!

Next, the groups stayed together, in the same room and we had a few minutes to talk, meet with new people, and get ready for the next activity. The next activity was a mock press conference, this time, we separated into two groups. One group put the press, conference on, while the other, which I was in, were reporters. The people that put on the press conference supported the bill and we as reporters had to question them. We came up with many questions and we still had more to go by the time we had to end.

We had two different lunch groups. While the first lunch group ate, the second lunch group met with women leaders. Then we switched.

After we had lunch and met with the women leaders, we went on a scavenger hunt throughout the State House.

Next, we met Emily Cain. She is the youngest female in the House of Representatives. She is a great role model for anyone. She is twenty-eight now, but when she was elected, she was twenty-four. She is extremely inspirational!

Then, we discussed the bill as one big group in the House Chamber. We debated on the bill and then we voted on the bill, on whether we opposed the bill or supported it.

Then, we filled out an evaluation of the day and picked up our coats. That was the end of our day!

In conclusion, I would just like to say that this was an amazing experience and I had a great time. I met girls from across the state of Maine and this day was sensational! I learned that women didn’t use to be able to be in the Senate or the House of Representatives, but now, many woman are a huge part of how the government is run! This trip was an eye-opener and I loved it!