Running and Winning

The League of Women Voters of Grosse Pointe had a very successful Running and Winning workshop on the snowy February 29th at The ARK at St. Ambrose. Forty-eight high school girls from Grosse Pointe North and South, University Liggett, Regina, Northwestern and Southeastern spent the day interviewing political officials and learning leadership and campaign skills. We were pleased to have been able to double our number of attendees from last year.
High marks were given to the program which included speakers Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Both officials offered insights on career development, political life, and issues that they have faced while in office.
The students had the opportunity to interview elected officials first hand during three different sessions. The participating officials included State Senator Martha Scott; Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox; GP School Board Trustees Alice Kosinski and Angela Kennedy; GP Woods City Councilwomen Lisa Pinkos Howle and Vicki Granger and GP Farms Councilwoman Therese Joseph and former GP Park councilwoman Carroll Evola. Many thanks to these elected officials who took time out of their busy days to provide these young women with their expert insights.
De Suzanne Klein, Superintendent of the Grosse Pointe Schools provided a stimulating and challenging presentation on leadership and goal planning that can benefit one through their lifetime. LWV President, Wilhelmina Giblin, opened the event with an overview of the League and Judge Lynne Pierce moderated the day.
In the afternoon, the students worked on their own mock campaign which provided them with the opportunity to experience first hand what the elected officials discussed. They had to work as a group to select a candidate, a campaign manager, publicists and speech writer for their campaign. The platform for their campaign had to be reviewed and selected by consensus for the girls to proceed. This part of the program was also very appealing to the students according to their evaluations. We just may have spurred some future public servants!
Facilitators from LWV of Grosse Pointe and the AAUW of Detroit and Grosse Pointe guided the students throughout the day. Many thanks to our facilitators Diana D, Mary V, Sharon R, Sharon R, Betty R, Sarah W, Barbara F, Eboni L, Janet W and Cynthia M. who attended our training session beforehand and added valuable input throughout the day.
The LWV steering committee worked hard since last summer planning the event. Also many thanks to Laurie, Diana, Carroll, Bonnie, Vicki, Beth, and Lynne who contributed to our successful Running and Winning workshop!
Thank you,
Christina Schlitt
Vice President, Voter Services

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: April 27, 2008 08:58 PDT.