Girls’ Day at the State House

“Girls’ Day made me feel like I can make a difference in the world no matter my age.”
- Daisy, Kennebec County, 2024 Participant

Our work to open the doors of the State House begins with Girls’ Day at the State House, now in its 30th year.

This life-changing program connects 8th grade girls and gender-expansive youth
to policy, politics, and legislative process.

Through online sessions and a full day at the State House in Augusta, students learn about how a bill becomes a law, hear directly from elected officials, policy professionals, activists, organizers, and connect with their peers across the state.

The 2026 Girls’ Day at the State House program will be held in March with the weekly Zoom meetings on Monday afternoons, and the in-person day scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026.

Nominate a Student to Girls' Day!

For Students and Young People

Girls and gender expansive students in the 8th grade are welcome to join us!

All students are nominated by a teacher or community leader. Once you are nominated to the program you and your parent/guardian must complete the registration and permission form. After we receive all materials we will contact you directly to welcome you to this year’s program!

If you want to join and do not have someone to nominate you, please let us know!

Contact us here.
For Teachers and Community Leaders

Teachers and community leaders can nominate up to two 8th grade girls or gender expansive students.

Once you make a nomination, the students parents/guardians must complete the registration and permission form. Teachers and community leaders, we need your help to make sure that the registration and permission forms get to students and their parents/guardians. After nomination, we will share the next steps and details with you.

Thank you for supporting youth as civic leaders!

Nominate a Student to Girls' Day!
For Parents and Caregivers

Girls’ Day at the State House is a combination of virtual sessions and one in-person day at the State House in Augusta on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Once your student is nominated to the program you will complete a registration form. We work with students, their teachers, and you to make sure that every student has what they need to participate in the program and need your information through the registration form. Please complete this form to secure your student’s spot in the program and do not hesitate to email us with any questions.
Thank you for supporting your future changemaker!

Register your student here!

“The best part about Girl’s Day was meeting tons of wonderful people and hearing their own stories about how they made change in their community, big or small.”

- Harper, Hancock County, 2023 Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

For 30 years, Girls’ Day at the State House has brought 100 8th-grade students to the Maine State House to learn more about their government and inspire them to shape their communities. Since 2020, Girls’ Day has offered virtual sessions. No matter the format participants get to connect with legislators, lobbyists, activists, and each other to understand why policy matters, and how to take action to make change. Currently, Girls’ Day is hybrid with virtual sessions and an in-person day at the State House.
Our programming exists to help participants understand how laws and policies affect their lives, learn how policies and laws are made in Maine, and get inspired to make positive social change. You’ll learn real-life stories from legislators, lobbyists, activists and organizers, and get to practice reading bills and thinking about opportunities for change in your own communities.
Girls’ Day is open to 8th grade students and participants who identify as girls or as gender-expansive, gender-nonconforming, or nonbinary. We welcome and celebrate students of all abilities, backgrounds, regions, religions, and experiences.
Girls’ Day is also attended by lots of legislators, lobbyists, activists, and leaders. What we all have in common is commitment to make our communities healthier and happier through policy and legislation, and excitement to open the doors of the State House to young people!
The program is designed for students and we want to encourage participants’ independence while they strengthen their leadership skills. We have mentors and volunteers available to help make the day a success for everyone.
We will share volunteer opportunities and family activities for parents/caregivers to join while students participate in the program.
Usually, applications are due in January, and Girls’ Day takes place in March of each year. There are virtual and in-person events as part of Girls’ Day.
The detailed 2026 agenda will be released in February. The in-person day is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026 at the State House in Augusta.
Yes! It’s great to be able to come to all of the program, but we know that isn’t always possible. Please do try to attend all or most of the sessions though!
Having access to a computer and the internet will make it much easier to connect to Girls’ Day. But we are happy to help you find a school, library, or local organization that can help you get online!
The Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund does not provide transportation to the event. However, we can help brainstorm transportation options, and do offer financial assistance.
If transportation is a barrier to participation, please let us know.
Yes. Girls’ Day is a program of the Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization which helps Mainers develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in feminist, anti-oppression-based public policy advocacy and civic life. We never support political candidates or political parties. We do actively support feminist, anti-racist, and trans- and LGBTQ+-inclusive values.
Yes! We welcome all girls, trans, nonbinary and gender-expansive youth to join us. We want to make sure political and policy work is accessible to everyone!