Event shows career opportunities for girls in government, public service

State Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) will discuss women in government and public service with approximately 45 girls in grades 7-10 as the keynote address for the first Shirley Chisholm Conference for Girls in Government. Beatty, the conference’s honorary chair and a sponsor, will speak at approximately noon on Wednesday (4/27) in the North Conference room, 31st Floor of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 S. High St.

The conference, from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., is designed to create awareness about careers available for women in government and public service. It is sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Ohio State University in honor of the late Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress and the first African-American woman to seek the presidential nomination.

Other speakers include Ohio Senate Minority Leader C.J. Prentiss, State Rep. Merle Kearns (R., Springfield), Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Director TaKeysha Sheppard, Judge Kim Browne, Columbus City Council members Charleta Tavares and Mary Jo Hudson, Board of Education President Stephanie Hightower, and Ruth McNeil of the office of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce.

Ohio Women in Government, Outcomes Management Group, and the law firm of Kegler, Brown, Hill and Ritter are also sponsors of the event.

WHAT: The first Shirley Chisholm Conference for Girls in Government

WHEN: Conference: 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday (4/27)
Keynote Address: Approximately noon
WHERE: Conference: Various locations in downtown Columbus
Keynote Address: North Conference room, 31st Floor of the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

WHY: To create awareness about careers available for women in government and public service