Genea Harrison, an 8-year-old girl, was sworn in by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley for a day after she wrote an essay explaining why she should be governor.
“We launched the ‘Governor for a Day’ contest to nurture the dreams, skills and confidence of young women so they can become the leaders of tomorrow,” O’Malley said in a news released issued on Tuesday, explaining why the contest took place.
The Rosa L. Parks Elementary School student was selected out of 200 girls under the age of 13.
O’Malley added that “Genea’s key priorities are all things that will move our State forward – education, public safety, job creation and the environment. She reminds us that every choice we make counts toward a better future for our children.”
Harrison will have a meeting with Taiwan Ambassador Pu-Tsung King, address the Congress of Educatiors, attend a women’s caucus meeting, and will join the Lt. Gov. Brown to swear in state officials, reported WUSA-9.
“I am proud that Governor O’Malley picked me as Maryland’s first-ever ‘Governor for a Day’ because I believe girls can take charge too and because I was governor today, it means that other girls like me can become whatever they want,” Harrison said. “Everyone can make a difference and we can all help people and make Maryland a better place to live.”
