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The Gender Justice Youth Council

In 2024-2025, the National Women’s Law Center launched the Gender Justice Youth Council (GJYC) program. This leadership and advocacy professional development program aims to empower a new generation of gender justice advocates who are prepared to lead.

For the first cohort, we sought young women and gender non-conforming youth, who were interested in gender justice advocacy and reside or attend school in DC, MD, VA, NY, NJ, or PA.

MEET THE INAUGURAL COHORT

The program included:

  • Leadership Development and Advocacy Training: Engaged in training sessions designed to expand their knowledge about key policy priorities for the NWLC empower you with essential skills and knowledge in advocacy and leadership, including:
    • Coalition Building
    • Community Organizing
    • Communications and Media training
    • Connecting with Policymakers
    • Resume Building
    • Public Speaking
  • Policy Expertise: Learned about key issue areas in education policy from the NWLC Education team to gain applied knowledge about gender justice advocacy in education.
  • Capstone Project: Councilmembers were able to choose a gender justice issue aligned with one of NWLC’s priority policy areas. For their capstone project, they were required to meet with one local, state, or federal policymaker (including university administrators) and provide one written product like a blog, op-ed, or sign-on letter advocating for their selected issue.
  • Mentorship: Councilmembers were assigned an NWLC mentor to provide policy expertise on their Capstone Project.
  • Stipend and Certificate: For participating on the Council, councilmembers received a monthly stipend. Upon successfully completing program requirements, including the capstone project, councilmembers receive an advocacy certificate to acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments.