TAC Members ready to lobby Congress at the Rayburn House Office Building.

Girls Inc. welcomed the 8th cohort of the Teen Advocacy Council (TAC) to Washington D.C. for the annual TAC Fly-In! The four-day event was the culmination of the TAC members’ year-long participation in an advocacy and leadership program, providing a meaningful opportunity to enhance their skills and grow as advocates. After connecting virtually throughout the year, the TAC members gathered in person to voice their desire for change at the highest levels of government.

In D.C., the TAC built sisterhood, strengthened their advocacy and leadership skills, and lobbied on Capitol Hill. They spoke out on critical issues affecting girls, including mental health and comprehensive sex education.

*The TAC is a leadership team of Girls Inc. participants (grades 10-12) who advise and inform our organization’s advocacy by sharing their life experiences and views on issues facing girls and youth in their schools and communities. The 2023-2024 TAC consists of twelve inspiring girls passionate about advocacy, representing eleven Girls Inc. affiliates and all Girls Inc. regions across the U.S. and Canada.

EXPLORING CAREERS IN POLICY & GOVERNMENT

TAC members during an insightful discussion about the work of the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau.

The TAC kicked off their trip learning about public opinion research and polling with Lake Research Partners, where they discussed what motivates them to be civically engaged. Afterwards, they met with the Women’s Bureau at the Department of Labor to learn about federal policy efforts and protections for women in the workforce. 

While in D.C., they participated in an educational and collaborative workshop led by Running Start that taught them what it takes to run for office. TAC members engaged in a mock election and each had the chance to write elevator pitches for their campaigns, which they used that evening at a networking reception with young policy and advocacy professionals across D.C.

Running Start holds an Elect Her Workshop to teach TAC girls about running for office with a mock campaign.

LOBBYING ON CAPITOL HILL

The next day, the TAC traveled to Capitol Hill to lobby six Congressional offices and advocate for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act (H.R. 5284) and the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2023 (H.R. 3583), or “REAHYA.” 

TAC members met with the original sponsors of both the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act and REAHYA to learn about why and how the bills were developed, as well as their current status, to supplement their existing research on those bills. They also met with other Congressional offices to ask the Representatives to cosponsor these bills and prioritize the needs of students in their districts. They briefed the offices on the importance of the legislation and shared their own personal testimonials, beliefs, and data to further highlight how these issues impact them and their peers. Congressional staffers universally commented on how valuable it was to hear directly from those directly affected and encouraged the students to keep up their advocacy efforts.

TAC members meet with congressional staffers to lobby for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act (H.R. 5284).

The TAC makes their voices heard by lobbying Congressional staff.

As testament to their work, they successfully persuaded Rep. Paul Tonko to cosponsor REAHYA! TAC member Kay (Grade 11, Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region) celebrated the achievement, noting, “It was great being able to see that I’m making a change and that things can actually happen from the actions that I’m doing as a part of TAC.” 

When asked what they took away from the Fly-In, many discussed the value of storytelling. While lobbying, the girls shared personal and relevant narratives to strengthen their case for change. Areli (Grade 12, Girls Inc. of San Diego), found that, “…there was so much power in my story and it can make a difference. Policymakers need to know firsthand what people they are affecting.” 

The experience left a lasting impact on the members, fueling their motivation to be change agents. One TAC member said, “The DC fly-in is the perfect capstone to a year’s work with the Teen Advocacy Council and allowed me to finally meet my brilliant peers in person! I didn’t expect to professionally develop so immensely in only four days. Now, I have a more thorough idea of career next-steps, opportunities, and possibilities! It’s been authentic, eye-opening, and motivating, all the more enhanced by the hard working and nurturing group of girls around me.”

TAC Members and chaperones stand in front of the Presidential Seal on their tour of the White House.

Check out this video to hear what our TAC Members have to say about their Fly-In experience!