Pressley and Educators at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Engaged Girl Scouts in Mock-Congress Programming

Photos (Dropbox)

BOSTON – This weekend, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) surprised 40 Girl Scouts during their visit to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for a special event co-hosted by the Congresswoman’s Office and the Institute titled “Girls Leading Government.” On the Institute’s replica U.S. Senate Floor, the Girl Scouts were sworn in as “Senators for a Day,” and worked together to solve a policy challenge, draft legislation, deliver floor speeches, and more.

“Our girls are limitless. It was an amazing, fulfilling day. I’m inspired and encouraged by our Girl Scouts and their leadership,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I’m grateful to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute team for their partnership, and for their commitment to educating the public. Their curriculum offers a powerful sightline into a day in Congress, encourages civic engagement, and inspires our young leaders to step in to their power.”

The Girl Scouts also heard from Rep. Pressley about her experience as a Congresswoman representing the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District. Photos from the event are available here.

Prior to her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley served as a mentor at Big Sister Boston and launched ABC – Ayanna’s BIG Challenge, a year-long initiative to recruit Big Sisters and mentors for young people living in the Boston neighborhoods with the longest waiting lists for adult mentors.

Throughout her time in public service, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for young women and girls and has consistently supported policies and investments that support their learning and allow them to thrive.

In 2023, Rep. Pressley visited Dorchester to celebrate $250,000 in new Community Project Funding she recently secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and joined mentors and staff for a roundtable discussion about how the funding will support Big Sister’s one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.

In 2021, Rep. Pressley introduced the STRONG Support for Children Act to take a holistic and community-based approach to addressing the growing crisis of childhood trauma.

In 2021, Rep. Pressley led her colleagues in re-introducing her Ending PUSHOUT Act to end the punitive pushout of girls of color from schools and disrupt the school-to-confinement pathway. She also introduced the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act to invest in safe and nurturing school climates that support all students and bring an end to the over-policing of our nation’s K-12 schools. These bills are informed by Rep. Pressley’s People’s Justice Guarantee and is a continuation of her longstanding history of working to address issues of criminalization during her tenure on the Boston City Council.

###