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Youth Programs

The League of Women Voters of New York State believes that educating and empowering the youth of our country is vital to maintaining a democracy. Through the League’s Education Foundation, the State League and many local Leagues operate programs that provide students with the information, motivation, and skills to become informed voters and engaged citizens. The State League’s primary youth program is Students Inside Albany. Email the State League office for more information on any of these programs.

Students Inside Albany Conference (SIA)

This Conference is an intensive four day training experience held in the spring and is designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted and changed in New York State and educate them as to how they can influence and affect this process. Albany insiders discuss the operations of New York State government including how policy is shaped and enacted. Students develop knowledge of the disparate forces that influence policy development. Additionally, students are afforded the opportunity to observe Assembly and Senate sessions and to shadow both their Assembly members and Senators.

SIA continues to expand and has the greatest involvement by different leagues throughout the state. The LWVNYS provides not only the administration of this program, the materials that leagues can use to  find the students to represent the league, but also pays for the entire cost of the four day program for one student from each league  with the exclusion of the trip to and from Albany.  If any local league wishes to send a 2nd student, there is a cost of approximately $850.00 to cover the expense.  Many leagues have used their other youth programs (names, descriptions of these programs, and contact people appear on this site)  as a way to identify students to represent them in Albany.  Leagues like the LWVNYC have given extra recognition to their representatives.

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Agenda

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Summary

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Phyllis Howard-Hoenig Memorial Fund for Students Inside Albany

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Honoring Phyllis Howard-Hoenig (1938-2025)

The League of Women Voters of New York is honored to introduce the Phyllis Howard-Hoenig Memorial Fund, created to celebrate the life and enduring legacy of an extraordinary champion of civic participation and women’s rights.

Born in Florence, Alabama, Phyllis Howard-Hoenig grew up on a family farm as one of eight siblings, where she learned the values of hard work, self-reliance, and independence. In her early twenties, she embarked on a career at the CIA in Washington, DC, before settling in Mahopac, NY, where she became a pillar of the community.

Phyllis was known for her Southern charm, grace, grit and unwavering determination. She seemingly effortlessly formed and nurtured long-lived friendships with people across all walks of life, groups and divides. She was deeply involved in local organizations, including outdoor groups, the Garden Club, the Book Club, and numerous charities.

But it was her lifelong commitment to women’s issues, civic participation, and voting rights that truly set her apart. As the Founding Vice-President of the Putnam County League of Women Voters Phyllis played a pivotal role in launching Candidate Forums which she saw as vitally important in a partisan time and place. She was also a passionate supporter of the Students in Albany program, dedicating herself to identifying, sponsoring, and mentoring young leaders from her community.

The Phyllis Howard-Hoenig Memorial Fund will carry forward her legacy by strengthening League of Women Voters programs that empower women, deepen civic participation, and cultivate the next generation of civic leaders.

Donate Here to Support the Fund
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Youth Programming Toolkit

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Learn about more youth programs

Thank you to our Sponsors

THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER WITH A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

  • Ann Leiter, LWV of Central Nassau
  • Mary Rosch, LWV of Albany