Cherry Blossom Program

The Cherry Blossom Program is an Education and Cultural Exchange Program is a week-long opportunity for young women from across the U.S. and around the world to come together and network. Since 1948, state and territorial societies, as well as the international embassy community, have selected accomplished young women between the ages of 19 and 24 for their academic achievement, exceptional poise and appearance, excellent interpersonal communication skills, leadership, interest in social, civic, community and world affairs with a strong desire to serve others through community service, maturity and responsibility, and to:

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• Represent the National Conference of State Societies and their State Society or Country by actively supporting these organizations’ mission, values, and goals.

• Serve by attending and actively participating in NCSS and Cherry Blossom Program community outreach initiatives as well as by serving at required events and social functions.

• Learn by taking advantage of opportunities for broadening personal development, volunteerism, and community involvement.

• Have fun and make new friends through festival volunteerism – one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of participation in the NCSS Cherry Blossom program.

 

These young women representatives are called “Cherry Blossom Delegates" as they are representing their state, territory or country. Today more than 3,000 young women have participated in the NCSS Cherry Blossom Education and Cultural Exchange Program since 1948, including daughters of presidents, congressmen and senators. The program continues to inspire women of accomplishment. The Pi Alpha Kappa Cherry Blossom Alumna include Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Shannon Vinson, a Captain in the USAF.

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The mission of the program is to have the Cherry Blossom Delegates participate in educational, leadership, and cultural activities as they serve their nation and respective state, territory or embassy in a “Washington Classroom,” by introducing the participants to many government officials, cultural, military, and business leaders, as well as female role models, who work in the nation’s capital. In the past decade, the participant's have met with First Lady Laura Bush; former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Naval Commander Yvette Brownwhaller; Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught; Red Cross President and CEO Dr. Bernadine Healey, among others.

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