The pre-teen writers of Black Girls Magazine â€” a magazine written by and for GTA girls â€” were treated to a tour of Queen's Park and Question Period on International Women's Day.

The girls were extended an invitation by Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau. He is also the minister responsible for anti-racism. The province's three-year strategy was unveiled Tuesday.

The girls were most struck by the chance to sit in on Question Period.

"It was really cool. We got to see how they debate about women's rights and other things. Also, we got to see how they express their opinions in the debating room," said Abigail Hunter.

The young writers also got to interview Coteau for a feature in their upcoming June issue.

"When you were our age, what did you want to be when you grew up," asked Mbabazi Okafor.

Black Girls Magazine in York Region1:01

"When I was probably nine years old, I probably wanted to be something like an astronaut," Coteau said.

"Then, when I was about 15, 16, I wanted to be a politician."

"A person like him — that could become a minister in the Ontario legislature — that really inspires me to follow my dreams and do what I want to do when I grow up," said Deva Ukhuegbe.

The girls were also thrilled to tour the legislature, called a "once in a lifetime opportunity" by Uchechi Esonwanne.

Black Girls Magazine is available at all Vaughan public libraries as well as a handful of libraries in Richmond Hill and Toronto.

"I think their magazine is incredible," Coteau told CBC Toronto. "They're amazing."

"It's inspiring for them to be able to produce this, to be here, to get more content and build more stories and share that with other young girls."

Read More..