Future Frontrunner Winners Backstage at Democratic Convention: Photo Links & Press Release

Future Frontrunner Winners Backstage at Democratic Convention: Photo Links & Press Release

High School and College Winners of Future Frontrunners Essay Contest Get Exclusive Access to Convention and Women Leaders

Lifetime Networks, CosmoGirl, Declare Yourself & Young Women's Leadership Conference '08 Host Future Frontrunners Summit at Democratic National Convention

"At the last political convention in Denver, 100 years ago, women didn't have the right to vote." -Marc Morgenstern, Executive Director of Declare Yourself

DENVER, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Women leaders of tomorrow got a front row seat today to experience the Democratic National Convention. The high school and college young women, the winners of Lifetime Television, CosmoGirl and Declare Yourself's leadership contest, got exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the convention floor and to a who's who of women in politics, media and advocacy.

The Future Frontrunners Summit included a special tour of the Pepsi Center, a viewing of one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence and a day-long seminar with women elected officials, journalists and advocates to learn leadership skills, how to impact public policy, and the importance of the women's vote.

In a recent Lifetime Every Woman Counts poll, nearly half (44%) of women polled believe the country will see a woman in the Oval Office within eight years, including 23% of them who said it will happen in 2012.

Speakers at the Summit included Arianna Huffington, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Obama for America's Betsy Myers, Politico's Beth Frerking and many more.

Lifetime's Future Frontrunners won an essay and video contest to identify the next generation of women leaders. Contestants submitted written or video essays at myLifetime.com answering the question, "What would you do if you were president?"

"I thank Lifetime, CosmoGirl, and Every Woman Counts for this awesome opportunity to learn from the REAL Frontrunners and further my chances of being one in the future. Getting a woman in the White House is more possible now than it's ever been," said Kate Newell, a Future Frontrunner regional winner and Denver-area resident who attended the Summit.

Kate was bitten by the political bug during a visit to the Colorado Capitol with her mother when she was five. That's where her dream of becoming president started. Kate will have to wait a little while to be president - she's not old enough yet. So, she's spending her time this year working to get her mother, Littleton businesswoman Linda Newell, elected to the State Senate.

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Caption for all photos: (Denver, CO/August 25, 2008) - Lifetime Television's Future Frontrunners - high school and college aged winners of leadership contest - take a tour of the convention floor and get a sneak peek at Michelle Obama preparing for opening night..

Photo Credit: Marc Piscotty/Lifetime Networks

Marc Morgenstern, Executive Director of Declare Yourself, brought one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence to the Convention. The girls got to view this meaningful document, printed on the evening of July 4, 1776. It is one of only 25 copies that have survived. In those pre-Internet days, horses carried these copies from town to town, bringing the words to every citizen. The girls were awed to see it and took lots of photos.

"This is to remind us of the promise of what we want our country to become," Marc told the Future Frontrunners. He also reminded them that, "at the last political convention in Denver, 100 years ago, women didn't have the right to vote."

"When Lifetime started the nonpartisan Every Woman Counts campaign five election cycles ago, the idea of a woman running for President seemed impossible. To have witnessed it this year was unbelievable. It's great to have the young leaders of tomorrow here with women who are blazing the trail for the next generation," said Meredith Wagner, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at Lifetime Networks.

Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT) has worked with Lifetime to pass the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. She spoke to the girls, congratulating one of the winners on stressing the importance of education in her essay.

"You hit on an important issue. We have to increase education opportunities. My mom worked in a sweatshop. The place was dark and dirty and so noisy - filled with women trying to make a living. She wanted me to take advantage of education so I didn't need to do work like she did. When women get involved in politics, they change the agenda. Come on girls, let's make ourselves heard. Don't be afraid to stand up," Representative De Lauro said. De Lauro's mother served on the city council in New Haven for 35 years. DeLauro called her a role model who didn't retire until she was 94.

Tara Roberts, Senior Editor of CosmoGIRL, said, "I'm blown away by the caliber of the Future Frontrunners and the depth of wisdom offered by visiting Members of Congress. Surely, these winners will make large contributions to our world. I say, watch out!"

National winner Katherine Robertson from Tulsa, OK was awarded an all expense paid trip to the Democratic Convention in Denver. Robertson, who attends Okalahoma State University and is majoring in political science and history, is an intern in the Washington, DC office of Congressman Tom Cole.

Regional winners at the Democratic Convention were all from Colorado: They were Kate Newell of Littleton, Alyssa Roberts of Denver, Marrisa Flores of Greeley, Joanna Bossi of Denver, Michele Stillwell-Parvensky of Denver, Audrey Kline of Arvada, and Sahar Babak of Fort Collins.

Seven winners from the Minneapolis/St.Paul-area along with a second national winner will attend the Republican National Convention (RNC) in St. Paul.

About Future Frontrunners

Future Frontrunners, first created in 2004, is part of Lifetime Networks' award-winning, nonpartisan Every Woman Counts campaign. The competition for high school and college students was launched in partnership with CosmoGIRL's Project 2024 to promote girls leadership, and Declare Yourself, a nonpartisan, non-profit campaign to register more 18-year-olds to vote. Young Women's Leadership Conference '08, a project of the National Council of Women's Organizations, a nonprofit representing more than 15 million women nationwide, also co-hosted the Summit. To help promote the contest, Lifetime Networks aired PSAs featuring artist and actress Ashlee Simpson. Contestants submitted written or video essays at myLifetime.com answering the question, "What would you do if you were president?" Winning entries were selected by a distinguished, bipartisan panel of judges, including Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Candy Crowley, Senior Political Correspondent, CNN, and Dr. Donna Shalala, President, University of Miami. The competition was open to women nationwide, ages 16-22.

NOTE: The Future Frontrunners Summit at the Republican National Convention will be held on Monday, September 1st at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Details are available upon request.

Source: Lifetime

CONTACT: Lindsay Drewel, +1-202-627-8100, lindsay@lindsaydrewelpr.com,
or Nancy Bennett, +1-800-834-1110, nancy@nancybennett.info

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