GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES “GOVERNOR FOR A DAY” ESSAY CONTEST

Continues commitment to empowering women & fighting for equal opportunity

ANNAPOLIS, MD - In honor of International Women’s Day, Governor Martin O’Malley launched Maryland's first-ever “Governor for a Day” Essay Contest – an effort aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in public service, including in elected office. The contest asks young women ages 8-12 to explain in 400 words why they want to be Governor of Maryland and what they would do if they were Governor for a day. Submissions will be accepted here.

Each individual that enters the contest will receive a package containing information about Maryland's State Government, the requirements of elected office, and a special video message with words of encouragement from the Governor. Entries for the contest will be accepted until April 15, 2013.

One winner will be chosen by a panel of judges from the Governor’s Office. The prize awarded to the writer of the winning essay will be unveiled once a winner is announced, and it will include a meeting with Governor O'Malley in Annapolis.

Maryland’s “Governor for a Day” contest builds on the Governor’s strong commitment to empowering women and fighting for equal opportunity.

“Maryland has an abundance of smart, successful women who work to help move Maryland forward every day,” said Governor O’Malley. “Together, we have strived to support our women-owned businesses, appoint a record number of exceptional women to the bench, provide better health care to those previously uninsured, and drive down violence against women. We took these measures because it’s part of the better choices we’re making for our State. In Maryland, our diversity is our greatest strength and the accomplishments of women are an integral part of our progress as a people.”

Recognizing the strong role women play in the O’Malley-Brown Administration, the Governor released a video featuring a few members of his Cabinet who’ve offered words of advice to young women.

Maryland is one of the top three “States for Women” and has the second lowest wage gap between working men and women. One-third of all businesses in Maryland are owned by a woman, the country’s highest percentage. In FY2012, MBE participation reached 25.2 percent, marking the first time the State achieved its goal of 25 percent program participation. Over the past five years, awards to women-owned firms increased 59 percent from $322.9 million in FY2007 to $550.8 million in FY2012.