Patch - 400+ Northern VA Girls Attending Congressional Career Mentorship Program

News Article

By Sharon Reed

More than 400 girls packed the U.S. Capitol auditorium for the opening day of Rep. Barbara Comstock's 10th Congressional District Young Women's Leadership Program on Saturday, June 18.

Founded in 2013 by Rep. Comstock, the non-partisan mentorship program provides an opportunity for young women in high school and middle school to meet and be inspired by women who have built successful careers in government and the private sector. The summer program will continue through the end of August, with periodic events held throughout the 10th Congressional District and at the U.S. Capitol.

At the opening day event Comstock provided an overview of the program and gave an inspiring talk to the young women about her family, educational background and career development.

A 30+ year resident of McLean, Comstock talked about raising her three now grown children while pursuing her education and career. She discussed work/life balance and her experience having had her first two children while a law student at Georgetown University.

Comstock said she was inspired to start the Young Women's Leadership Program because of her own career and after reading the book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. The book focuses on factors that hold women back in their career success.

"It was inspiring to see so many young women from all over the District learn from each other and ask great questions about how to Lean In," said Rep. Comstock to Patch.com.

Next the girls viewed a TED talk given by Sandberg entitled: "Why We Have To Few Women Leaders." In the talk, Sandberg focuses on why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions.

Following the video, Melissa Richmond, vice president of Running Start, spoke to the girls. Running Start is an organization focused on bringing young women into politics.

Richmond talked about her career development and the importance of being proactive. She suggested that the girls consider running for an office at their high school or college in order to gain elections experience.

After that, Richmond lead a lively question and answer session with the girls.

Comstock then took the girls into Statutory Hall where the group posed for photos. They walked to the House Chamber and were clearly very impressed when Comstock said that President Abraham Lincoln had walked in the same halls.

While standing at the podium in the Chamber, Comstock provided the girls with the historical background of the room. She showed them where President Obama, Speaker Ryan and Vice President Biden stood during the State of the Union address. Comstock also mentioned some of the dignitaries who have addressed Congress in the Chamber, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Pope Francis; Prince Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and others.

After that Comstock answered many enthusiastic questions from the girls about the U.S. Congress.

At the next session, the young women will hear from women speakers about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and medicine/health care. Future sessions this summer will focus on careers in other sectors, including business and media.

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