Lesson of the Day: ‘She’s 16 and Wants to Be President: Meet the Teenagers Planning Their Campaigns’

Seeing an organization that’s main goal is to bring more young women into the field of politics gives me a motivation to respect myself much more as a woman. I really admire those women doing this and help each other and be an exception. Im still young and i have the time to think if i am going to be a part of this.These women makes other females do the same and have a voice in politics and a place in the future of our nation.I feel really inspired after reading this article and seeing how many women want to make a better future. I think it is important for young people to be aware of what is happening in politics locally and across the country.

Ignite is an organization that’s main goal is to bring more young women into the field of politics. A shocking fact that the article states, is that if the percentage of women in politics kept increasing at a constant rate, it would still take over 100 years to reach gender parity. This shows just how important Ignite is, trying to get more and more women engaged in politics,and the current events in our country. Working to show these women that they do have a voice in politics and a place in the future of our nation. A young girl sums this up perfectly, Haley Zaker, 17, says that she used to look up at the list of former presidents and wonder why there wasn’t a woman. She states that she hopes to become the president one day, which is a statement that very few women make. This is another thing that Ignite is working to change, more women making statements like Haleys, wishing to be involved in our nation's politics. After reading this article and seeing how many women are striving to make a better future for newer generations, I feel inspired, and want to share my own voice and opinions with others. I have always been interested in politics and hope to one day be a part of shaping our nation's future. Programs such as Ignite make it possible for young women to feel confident in following their dreams, and believe that they have a voice, and have the right to use it to propel our nation forward.

After watching this video I was surprised and also have respect for these IGNITE women. I have respect because of the dedication these girls have to change their community for the better. I also feel comfortable for the future of America because it will be run by women with an extreme dedication and passion for what they do. Personally I would run for office if I felt something was not right or just with the system and I would work for a change. I do not personally connect with any of the issues mentioned in the video, but if anything I feel needs to be fixed I would run for office. Currently the only real issue that slightly affects me is how old our school system is. If we changed that it would make the future brighter for future generations.

I think it’s crazy that there are people who are farsighted and motivated enough to know that they want to not only go into politics, but know that they want to be president. I am a sophomore in high school, and I feel directionless right now. I know that I want to go to college and where, but I don’t know what I want to major in. I’m also glad there is work being done to increase the diversity in politics. The more representative politicians are of real demographics, the more representative of our laws will be of what the population wants. And finally, no matter what, there is no way I’m diving into politics. As far as I’m concerned, politics is a pit of quicksand. Once it sucks you in, it’s almost impossible to leave.

My reaction to this video is positive because it shows me that something is being done to combat voter apathy in our country. We're incredibly privileged to have the right vote in this country and it's disheartening to see that some people do not take advantage of the ability to have their voice heard. These women involving themselves in our community politically signals that there is change coming and that we can hope to see increased voter turnouts in the future. I have never considered running for office in my state or nationally because I'm not opinionated enough to consider it worth running. I do my best to stay informed and to know what's happening in the world but I do not feel passionately enough about politics to consider running for a position in office. Once I grow older and become more politically involved in my community because I have the right to vote, I may reconsider my position on running for office. However, I currently do not feel strongly enough to consider myself an adequate candidate for office

Ignite is an American program to help get women more involved in local and national politics. Seeing these confident young women speak their minds is truly an inspiring sight. Female involvement in government is a more recent change, and these women have taken the opportunity to speak their voices and be heard. Though I’m personally not particularly interested in politics, I’m proud to see these women run in elections all over the country. My school has both a Youth Democrat and Youth Republican Club where they meet to discuss their political opinions. Inspiring young voters is an important way to appeal to a new demographic of Americans. The Young Women Run Columbus conference is a promising example of the politically-active youth in this country--a perfect example for those interested in the greater good of America.

In the first grade we had a day where we dressed up as what we wanted to be when we grew up. At the time I skated so I made my mom dress me up as an Olympic figure skater. I got to class and looked at everyone's costume, a gymnast, a soccer player, an astronaut, a veterinarian, a doctor, but there was a little girl whose costume I couldn't figure out. She wore a suit and tie and I was curious. “What do you want to be when you grow up”, I asked. “The President”, she replied proudly. I smiled in realization while a bunch of little boys laughed, in fact my teaching assistant let out a laugh as well. “I am going to be the first woman president, president Green”, she stood confidently not letting the laughs get to her. The fact that a seven year old girl in 2011 could stand proud declaring she would be president one day despite her classmates laughing, always gave me a little hope for our generation. The same hope that Ignite gives for the strength our generation has. This program gives young women an outlet to become more involved in politics and reach their dreams.

By being involved in Ignite it is showing our nation's young women that they have a voice in politics and a place in the future. I think this is very important in today's society and I feel inspired by programs like this, which makes me want to share my own voice and opinions with others. I have always been interested in politics and hope to one day be a part of shaping our nation's future. Programs such as Ignite make it possible for young women to feel confident in following their dreams. I hope this program continues reaching young women.

I am proud that programs like ignite have created an outlet for young girls to get involved in politics. Although I wish that we’ll have one sooner, I’m looking forward to seeing these determined young women run for office in 2040. I am interested in politics and my opinions can be quite strong, but sometimes I fear joining clubs or organizations because I don’t want to offend people with different views. However, girls like this have inspired me to be more like them, and to find a constructive way to share my ideas.

I think programs like ignite are doing great things for young women. Maggie Astor is only 16 years old and already wants to be the president of the United States. It shows young women that they are able to rule the nation if they work hard. It shows them that there are opportunities out there for them even if they aren't always represented as well as males. I think many people my age aren't even involved in politics and to think this girl is already making politics her life is amazing to me.

The program ignite that helps women get involved in politics and creating change is an amazing advance in the women's rights movement that has been greatly changing since the beginning of time but mostly since 1919. I really hope to see a female president because changing the world isn't something that should be limited to gender. Seeing girls at the age of 16 getting ready to run for president in the future amazes me and excites me for our future!

Just the title makes me think, wow someone my age wants to be president. I can't even imagine myself being president if we're being honest. But I do have one question, the other part of the title says campaign…so I would hope it's just for fun, cause I know I wouldn't want a young president, under any conditions, sorry not sorry. So not meaning to sound bad, or like a hater, but no matter the experience, I dont think a 16 year old girl could handle the pressure. And no I don't say that because I feel like I wouldnt, but seriously. Yes this is my opinion, but I don't think the author should've started off the story saying this, because it's like it targets kids who don't have as much experience as her and wants to become president. I like that one girl by the name of Haley Zaker has hope that a woman will become president before her. Telling me she believes it's possible and stand on women side. So a group by the name of Ignite thinks the key is hooking women sooner.

I do have my own political opinions on some things but I do not really follow politics or pay attention to it. My friends are like me and don’t really know anything about what’s going on with politics either or really care. This goes along with a study that was done that says my generation’s men are less interested in politics than women. Although I have not realized this in my school, none of my friends know much about politics (boys and girls) but maybe that’s just my friend group and for the rest of the school this stat is very accurate. I think it’s cool that girls are only 16 are preparing to hopefully become the first female president some day. This really shows how America is really the land of the free because really anyone can hope and work to become president some day.

I think gender equality in the political field is very important. And I think that it's great to see all these young women trying to make a change in politics. This article talks about an organization called ignite, which is a program that helps young women get involved with politics and their community. I think this is a great idea and hopefully in the years to come it will become more wide spread across the world. I believe that there definitely needs to be a change in politics, and more women are getting involved with politics and I think that's great!

While I’m not that big into politics, I’m glad to see that there are people, especially women, who want to make a change in the world, I do wish that we could see more republican women trying to run as well. I think that there aren’t as many republican women running because most women side with democrats. There are just little to no republican women. I agree with Ms.Astor when she says Generation Z has been under multiple existential threats and that’s the reason we are more active in politics. The world is warming up and while Gen Z has realized it and tries to take steps forward, people who are in Congress and the House of Representatives think it is all fake. We need to do something about it but can’t because we don’t have the ability to run for Congress/House of Representatives yet because we are too young.

It’s great to see people my own age getting involved in politics and the world around us while so young. Programs like Ignite surely help to prepare girls my age to be bold in their beliefs and to confidently try to implement change. Even if they never do get elected to office, these young women are becoming leaders; they’re being reminded of how important they are in the world. The story of Shayanna Hinkle-Moore especially stood out to me in the article. This is a girl who noticed something she thought should change and then persistently took action to fix it, even if it may seem like a small problem to some. She even did her own fundraising, generating about $2.5 million a year in city-funding. Then, when she got her sidewalk (her first project), she looked for ways she could continue to help her community. Ignite, while on the surface an organization training young women for political pursuits, is really an organization empowering girls and encouraging them to help their community.

I think what the Ignite program is doing for these young women is more than what it seems on the surface. Ignite does not just encourage young women to join politics, it is reminding the girls of the power they have always had within them. Chances are that most of these girls will never hold any sort of governmental position in their futures. However, this doesn’t matter. What Ignite is doing for them is greater than any job title. They are learning how to break away from and remold the norms of society. Without Ignite, these women most likely would have fallen into their role of the historical patriarchal households of the United States. For centuries in the United States, women have been the ones to care for the homestead while their husband is at work. Now, because of programs like Ignite, women are empowered and aided in their quest to break the norms of society.

Wow, just 16. My age. A young girl named Maggie who is making this big movement happen, which is about the increasment of women in politics. It gives others especially young women that they can be involved in politics even though it’s dominantly male. An organization called Ignite is increasing women’s involvement in politics, which is good because it’s inspiring other women just like them to know they can do it too. This is needed so that in the political world we can have more women perspectives on things too since politics are mostly dominated by men. I believe this is great as well because it’s also proving the assumption on how Generation Z is made to lazy but really we could be the first to improve the jobs of women more in politics.

There is no doubt that politics is a majorly male dominated field. Women are often afraid they will be overlooked or ignored when it comes to politics, thus preventing themselves from reaching their full potential. It is important that we have Ignite, and groups alike, who are working to change this. Though I have never had any desire or interest in going into politics myself, I wholeheartedly support any young people, women or men, who do. Maggie is a wonderful start to a movement to get young women involved in politics, and can serve as a role model to other young girls just like her. Even though she is only 16, her aspirations and goals can inspire others and help to close the gender gap that is politics. I hope other teenagers, boys and girls alike, can see Maggie and be inspired to get involved, voice their opinions, and follow their dreams.

Women in Politics. Proud and Strong. The world is increasing with so much more Women Empowerment. I have never thought about being in Politics especially at my age, but this article shows these young girls who want to inspire and be in politics now and hold higher positions in government when they are older. Politics are run by men and need to have more women in the system. To give another view, outlook and different ways to think about government through a woman's mind. Ignite is an organization that is a huge help with helping young girls really getting involved with them and politics. I agree with the article with starting at a young age with their passion for politics and it is up to other women to lift these girls up who want to hold offices and run for different things in government. Women are really starting and trying to make a away into the eye of government and it is Generation Z who is putting women on the map to continue to do even greater things in this world.