Senator Holly Thompson Rehder to Host “Girls State” Cast at Missouri Capitol 

Jefferson City — State Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, R-Scott City, will be hosting several of the young women starring in the soon-to-be released “Girls State” documentary. 

The film focuses on teenage women from across Missouri who are challenged to build a government from the ground up in one week, including running for office and forming a supreme court. It is a follow up to a hit documentary “Boys State,” which had a similar plot from the opposite end of the gender spectrum. 

Senator Thompson Rehder says she is thrilled, not only to see Missouri in the spotlight on a premium streaming service, but that there is such a large contingent of young women still believing democracy and the great American experiment. 

“Seeing these young women ready to step up and take the reins reminds me of how far we have come, and how far we have to go,” said Sen. Thompson Rehder. “Women’s voices need to be represented at every level, and from various backgrounds and viewpoints. I once read a survey that showed the majority of women wait to be asked to run for office, I didn’t. When I was told by someone high up in our party, “it’s not your time” I happily responded, “well, it’s a good thing I’m not here asking for permission.” I hope these young women have that same attitude and change that statistic.” 

One of the teens is Brooke Taylor, the daughter of a family friend Sen. Thompson Rehder has known since Brooke was a little girl. 

“Having a personal connection to one of these women makes this even more thrilling. It is exciting to see that Brooke and these other women her age are ready to ignore the naysayers and the negativity that is thrown at women in politics. They are fighting for their place at the table,” Sen. Thompson Rehder said. 

Senator Thompson Rehder is hosting several of the young women that participated in the documentary at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 3, two days before the film premieres on Apple’s streaming service. The cast will be able to meet with many of Missouri’s elected women, experience a day in Jefferson City and share their own visions for how to make the state better. 

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