Nakamura's visit inspires girls to pursue leadership opportunities
Anahola, Kauaʻi – To celebrate students' civic participation in the 2023 legislative session, Representative Nadine K. Nakamura paid a visit to Kanuikapono Public Charter School on Wednesday to read a storybook to fourth-grade students. The story "Grace Goes to Washington" teaches a valuable lesson about leadership: girls can and will succeed in leadership roles.
"I was honored to share this inspiring book with the students, as part of Rutgers University's "Teach a Girl to Lead" program," said Rep. Nakamura. "We are striving to increase the visibility of women in leadership roles to the next generation and uplift young girls to pursue public leadership."
Grace Goes to Washington tells a story about a student who takes a field trip to Washington, DC with her class. Exploring government buildings and national monuments, Grace feels closer than ever to her dream of becoming president someday. The book was provided to women lawmakers nationwide – both in Congress and in state legislatures, who were encouraged to host story times for students in their school districts. Following so, the lawmakers donate their copies to the school libraries. The book is promoted by the Teach a Girl to Lead program, which was created by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) to encourage girls and young women to follow in the footsteps of women leaders, past and present.
Along with leading story time, Rep. Nakamura presented Kanuikapono students Violet Medeiros and Justine Elizabeth Nelson with the "Best Artist" award and "Best Writer" award respectively. The two pupils and their classmates were also recognized for practicing their civic engagement during the 2023 legislative session.
(L-R) Violet Medeiros, Rep. Nadine Nakamura, and Justine Elizabeth Nelson
"Mahalo to Elizabeth Sancho and her fourth graders at Kanuikapono Public Charter School for their involvement in this year's session," said Rep. Nakamura. "I'm thankful these students provided both written and oral testimony on HCR81 to recognize August 8 as Hawaiian Honeycreeper Celebration Day."
Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura serves as Majority Leader in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives and is one of two Kauaʻi members on the House Leadership team. She represents House District 15, which encompasses the areas of Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, a portion of Wailua, and Kawaihau.
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Photo 1: Rep. Nadine Nakamura holds up a copy of "Grace Goes to Washington" with Elizabeth Sancho and her fourth-grade classroom at Kanuikapono Public Charter School.
Photo 2: Rep. Nadine Nakamura presents Kanuikapono students Violet Medeiros and Justine Elizabeth Nelson with the "Best Artist" award and "Best Writer" awards respectively.
Video: (22:00-25:40 ) 3/30/2023 CAI/WAL Public Hearing – Kanuikapono students offer oral testimony in support of HCR81, recognizing August 8 as Hawaiian Honeycreeper Celebration Day.