History of Girls State

Girls State began as one and two day sessions in the late 1930's. Washington, D.C. and Delaware are credited with first launching the program. In 1939, Girls State was expanded to a week-long government education program. Since 1948, it has been a regular part of the American Legion Auxiliary's curriculum. .For more than 60 years, the American Legion Auxilary has succeeded in giving young women the finest citizenship training program possible. The program has grown from a few hundred participants to nearly 20,000 Girls State Delegates annually. Each state holds their own Girls State session each summer.