U.S Congresswomen Becca Balint

---

From HER: Support our mission to implement a required unit into the curriculum  A required unit is absolutely essential to ensuring students have a well-rounded understanding of American history. Today, students have no idea the struggle women faced and the work needed to overcome them. Lack of role models for young girls, lack of representation, and lack of knowledge limits the inclusion and success of your daughters, mothers, sisters, etc. Furthermore, men lack this education too. How can students vote on new policies surrounding women's rights without basic understanding of them?  To not require this education is to suggest women's history as secondary, as optional, as unimportant. At the VLA Student Voice Conference on May 9th, 2026, HER Education Required had 5 members in attendance (Amelie Fairweather, Lily Siedlecki, Olivia Cieri (VLA Vice President), Allyson Gutierrez, and Eloise Glasscoe. (VLA Director of Outreach and Engagement)) Eloise and Lily spoke during the opening ceremony  about HER and their mission, Amelie was a panelist in the Youth Action and Curiosity workshop and Allyson was a participant!

The Vermont State Youth Council (VSYC) is a diverse group of 28 Vermont youth from each county responsible for annually advising the Governor and the Vermont General Assembly on the policies that impact young persons today. The VSYC was established by H.293 (Act 109: An act relating to creating the State Youth Council), a bill signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on May 11, 2022.  The VSYC and its five subcommittees (Climate Change, Education; Equity and Anti-Racism; Youth Mental Health; and Youth Voice)  meet monthly, may gather input from Vermont youth through surveys and polls, and may hold up to four public hearings annually in order to take testimony on issues affecting Vermont youths. At the VLA Student Voice Conference on May 9th, 2026 the VSYC ran a mini public hearing workshop where they collected input from the youth in attendance!

BTP Mission: Help nonprofits raise money and awareness to support their causes and inspire others to take the steps needed to raise awareness on their passions. At the VLA Student Voice Conference on May 9th, 2026, 5 BTP members represented the organization (Jack Bryan, Willcox Elliot, Jillian Barnes, Olivia Cieri, and Zoe Rinquest), Jack spoke about BTP and their work to amplify student voice, and Willcox was a panelist in the Inspiring Youth Action and Curiosity workshop!