To introduce young women to the workings of state government, local high school student Chloe Carpenter participated in California Federated Republican Women (CFRW) Advocacy Days. Carpenter, a junior at Los Alamitos High School, joined Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Women Federated Advocacy Chair Stephanie Janji in Sacramento on April 20 and 21.
Advocacy Days follows the annual CFRW Spring Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento. Created in 1974, following a suggestion by then-governor Ronald Reagan and other Republican legislators, the program has become a viable force in the legislative process helping to seat many women in political appointments, influence legislations and make the conservative views known throughout Sacramento.
During Advocacy Days hundreds of CRFW women from throughout California converge on the state capitol to lobby both Republican and Democrat legislators.
Ms. Carpenter had personal meetings with California State Senator Janet Nguyen (34th district) and California State Assemblywoman Kim Young (65th district), among other politicians. She asked questions regarding life in Sacramento, their view of the current legislature and their position on specific bills.
Ms. Chloe also sat on Assemblywoman Kim’s Transportation Committee meeting, which focused on:
· Online driving training instructors needing 2,000 hours certification to have a business license.
· Rear-facing child seats for children up to two years of age.
High school students participating in Advocacy Days also Skyped with best-selling author and movie director Dinesh D’Souza where the question and answer session focused on his hit film America. D’Souza had a film crew in Sacramento following the students throughout their workshop, tour of the State Capitol as well as attending meetings.
During their two days of watching how Sacramento functions, including the way lobbyists use meeting recesses to push their agendas, the most talked about legislative bills presented focused on California’s ongoing drought, the measles vaccination debate and legalizing marijuana.
“The Youth Advocacy Program offers conservative students the opportunity to see our California government in action and learn how each person’s voice is important to the process,” said Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated club president Nancy Hathcock. “The students come away armed with the knowledge that our leaders in Sacramento are accessible. Moreover, they start thinking about becoming part of the process by being an advocate or even running for office.”
Ms. Carpenter will share her experience during the May 16 meeting at the Cypress Courtyard Marriott. The networking and breakfast program is $20 per person and begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature a guest speaker discussing human trafficking in Orange County. It concludes at noon giving members and guests plenty of time to enjoy the day. For more information, contact Chris Barnes at chris.barnes4727@gmail.com or 562-865-3258.