Indiana’s First Lady Karen Pence, along with female statewide elected officials, announced details for the 2016 Hoosier Heroines Essay Contest for students in the 5th through 9th grades. To download an application packet, click here.
The annual competition was established to celebrate Women’s History Month, annually celebrated in March. For 2016, in honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial, students are asked to write about currently living or women from history who have made contributions in the following categories:
- 5th grade – Agriculture
- 6th grade – Suffrage
- 7th grade – Business
- 8th grade – Science
- 9th grade – Education
The submitted essays are then divided by grade and judged by the female statewide elected officials:
- 5th grade – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann
- 6th grade – Secretary of State Connie Lawson
- 7th grade – Auditor Suzanne Crouch
- 8th grade – Treasurer Kelly Mitchell
- 9th grade – Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz
Application forms, suggested topics and further details can be found and submitted electronically here. Applications are being accepted until February 22, 2016.
On March 30, 2016, a reception will be held with the First Lady and elected officials to honor the selected winner from each participating grade level at the Indiana Statehouse.
