PG&E And Running Start Now Accepting Scholarship Applications For Young Women's Political Leadership Program

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Running Start announced today that they are now accepting applications from high school girls for five scholarships to attend Running Start's Young Women's Political Leadership program (YWPL) in Los Angeles on February 9, 2013. Five high school girls who aspire to become political leaders will have the opportunity to attend the conference and get hands-on experience and training to equip them for the rigors of a career in politics – all expenses paid.

All high school girls living within PG&E's Northern and Central California service area are eligible to apply, and scholarships will be awarded based upon need. Scholarships will cover costs for travel, room and board, and conference registration fees for each awardee. A chaperone will also help scholarship winners navigate the conference. 

This is the first time that the utility is collaborating with Running Start to offer these need-based scholarships for Northern and Central California high school students to help more young women see their place as political leaders in their community and in the world. The 2013 YWPL in Los Angeles marks the second time the utility has been a program sponsor. 

"Running Start's Young Women's Political Leadership program in California to inspire high school girls from across the state to pursue careers in politics is outstanding," said Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo/San Francisco). "Running Start gets it – planting the seed in the minds of young women that we need more women leaders is guaranteed to grow bright young women in public office sooner rather than later. I'm particularly encouraged to know that scholarships will bring Northern California participants to this program, including girls from my district."  

In order to apply for a scholarship, interested students should e-mail Running Start at [email protected] by Monday, January 7.

"These scholarships not only provide financial assistance to high school girls who need it; they also further develop the potential of these young women as the future leaders of our state and our nation," said Jessica Hogle, Director of Federal Affairs and Political Strategy for PG&E and Running Start board member. "We are proud to work with Running Start to help give young women the knowledge, support, encouragement and inspiration they need to run for an elected position."

The YWPL introduces young women to the power of political leadership and is open to high school girls entering 9th grade through graduating seniors. The California edition of the program will be an intensive, one-day training to take place at the University of Southern California on Saturday, February 9, 2013, and will be hosted in conjunction with USC's Unruh Institute of Politics, California Women Lead and USC's Women's Student Assembly.

The program will provide attendees with skills training – from message development and networking, to fundraising and campaigning 101. Speakers and moderators at past conferences have included members of Congress, young candidates and political operatives from the top of their field.

The YWPL has been held in Washington, D.C. since 2007 and is the flagship program of Running Start, a nonpartisan organization that encourages girls to lead from every background and ideology. 

Running Start is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to educating young women about politics and inspiring them to run for elected office. Running Start was created because young women remain only a tiny fraction of the elected officials and candidates for public office. We talk to young women about politics and leadership early in their lives, so that they grow up inspired and ready to run! Running Start trains the young women who will shape tomorrow's world. For more information or to apply to our programs, go to www.runningstartonline.org.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ and www.pgecurrents.com.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)