16 young women to be chosen to meet top females in politics

June 19, 12:04 PMWomen of the Web ExaminerBrit Horvat

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Ashlee Simpson is the face of the Future
Frontrunners contest. (Not the most
political pose or political role model ...)
 

OK, girls. You've got until June 23 to submit that winning entry for the Future Frontrunners contest. If you're between the ages of 16 and 22 and are interested in attending the Democratic National Convention or Republican National Convention, then this is your contest. Sixteen lucky ladies will be chosen -- based off their submissions of why they should be president -- to meet some of the top women in politics. (I'm not so sure why they chose Ashlee Simpson to be the poster girl for this contest, but it goes to show the lack of legitimate role models for young gals these days.) Most importantly, if you're interested in getting your foot through that political door or getting more active in the world around you, then I strongly suggest trying out for this. Good luck!

Official details:

Lifetime Networks, CosmoGIRL! and the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Declare Yourself, announced the launch of the 2008 Future Frontrunners contest to identify and inspire the next generation of women leaders. The contest offers 16 lucky winners the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the country’s top women in politics at a Future Frontrunners summit during the Democratic National Convention in Denver or the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, MN.

To enter, contestants must submit either a written or video entry at myLifetime.com answering the question, “What would you do if you were president?” Winning entries will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges, including:

 

• Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX)
• Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
• Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC)
• Maria Cino, President & CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention
• Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chair, Republican National Committee
• Leticia Van de Putte, Permanent Convention Co-Chair, DNCC, and Texas State Senator
• Faye Wattleton, President, Center for the Advancement of Women
• Candy Crowley, Senior Political Correspondent, CNN
• Michelle Bernard, President, Independent Women’s Forum
• Maria Teresa Peterson, Executive Director, Voto Latino
• Ellen Goodman, Boston Globe columnist
• Carol Jenkins, President, The Women’s Media Center
• Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A
• Dr. Donna Shalala, President, University of Miami, FL
• Meredith Wagner, Executive Vice President, Lifetime Networks
• Susan Schulz, Editor-in-Chief, CosmoGIRL
• Diana Nguyen, Associate Director, Declare Yourself

As role models for girls and women around the world, the panel’s extraordinary talent, dedication and success embody the spirit of this competition.

To encourage young women across the country to enter the contest, Lifetime Networks will air a public service announcement (PSA) featuring artist and actress Ashlee Simpson, who is currently promoting her new album Bittersweet World, on Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and myLifetime.com throughout the month of May to mid-June. CosmoGIRL! will promote Future Frontrunners in its June/July issue and on cosmogirl.com. Additionally, Declare Yourself will highlight the contest on its web site and through e-newsletters.

Future Frontrunners, first created in 2004, is part of Lifetime Networks’ award-winning, nonpartisan Every Woman Counts campaign to encourage women to speak out on issues they care about most, vote and run for office.

The summit will bring the Future Frontrunners together with members of Congress, key political and business leaders, journalists and advocates to learn leadership skills, how to impact public policy, and the importance of the women’s vote. Winners will also be acknowledged in an on-air PSA on Lifetime and featured online at myLifetime.com, cosmogirl.com and declareyourself.com.

The competition, open to women nationwide ages 16-22, runs through June 23rd. Winners will be announced in August. For more information, go to myLifetime.com.