Girls State provides citizenship training for girls of high school age in every Department of the American Legion Auxiliary; to afford them an opportunity to live together as self-governing citizens; to inform them about the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship, in order that they may understand and participate in the functioning of their government; and to help them grasp the meaning of some of the responsibilities which they must assume when they become adults.

Girls State was organized as a National  Americanism activity by the 1937 National  Convention.  A national committee to direct  the program was created by the 1946 National Convention.  Holding of the first Girls Nation with representatives from each Girls State, to be held in Washington, D. C. was authorized in 1947.

Girls State is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship.  The entire program is a non-partisan, on-political attempt to teach and inculcate in the youth of America a love of God and country.