Milestones
December, 1948:
Selma YMCA calls a meeting from which the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature is born.
1949:
First Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature meets at the State Capitol, in Montgomery. The first Session features only a unicameral body.
1957:
Julie Griffen, of Columbus, is elected Speaker of the House, thereby becoming the first elected female officer of Youth Legislature.
1967:
Alabama Youth Legislator Michal Hart Hillman proposes a National Youth Congress and what will become the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs is born.
1973:
Vice-President Spiro Agnew makes the keynote speech for the 25th Anniversary at Garrett Coliseum.
1976:
Marti Pearson, of Huntsville, receives the first Betty Carr Award for dedication to the program.
1979:
Youth Judicial Program begins.
1985:
First Youth Governor elected to serve for a full year, rather than just during the Session.
1986-1991:
“Y Witness News”, a television program run by Youth Legislature delegates, airs, beginning on Montgomery NBC affiliate WSFA-TV.
1987:
Separate program for first-year delegates begins.
1987:
Judith Fulcher, of Huntsville, receives the first Bill Barringer Scholarship.
1989:
Youth Judicial separates from the Youth Legislature program.
1991:
Nathan Ballard, of Auburn, becomes the first delegate elected Youth Legislature Governor on a write-in vote.
1992:
Lobbyist program begins.
1992:
Supreme Court returns to Youth Legislature. Justices begin ruling on constitutionality of legislation.
1993:
Nancy King Dennis receives the first Meritorious Service Award for adult service to Youth Legislature.
1994:
Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature holds nation’s first Special Session. The Special Session was called by Youth Legislature Governor Turner Inscoe, of Montgomery, to consider education reform legislation.
1995:
Youth Legislature Election Commission begins to oversee campaigns. A representative from every district under the leadership of the Youth Secretary of State, audits campaign expense reports and investigates complaints and inquiries about election procedures.
1996:
Conceived and created in 1995, the first Collegiate Legislature meets.
1996:
Youth Legislature Electoral College Delegates elect separate Supreme Court to serve during Youth Legislature.
1998:
Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
2008:
Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature celebrates its 60th Anniversary.