Most of us think of young Brownie Girl Scouts selling cookies when we think of Girl Scouts. The organization, founded on 12 March 1912 by Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, is designed to build character and confidence in girls. Today, there are over three million Girl Scouts.
In a move designed to focus national attention on girls and the issues they face, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl: a celebration of girls, recognition of their leadership potential, and a commitment to creating a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in support of balanced leadership in the workplace and in communities across the country.
The organization is celebrating its centennial this year (2012). The organization will incorporate its centennial celebration with a major initiative to change the landscape for girls and young women. The initiative, which also includes the largest fundraising and advocacy campaign dedicated to girls' issues in the nation's history, will be formally announced sometime this month (January 2012) and will extend well beyond the Year of the Girl in 2012.
During the Year of the Girl, local Girl Scout offices nationwide will mix celebrations of the organization's 100 years as the premier leadership experience for girls with efforts to create a sense of urgency around girls' issues.
"Girl Scouts is at the forefront of building girl leaders”, GSUSA National President Connie L. Lindsey said. "We embrace the opportunity we have to develop the next generation and future generations of leaders that understand the interconnectedness of the global community. Our girls will understand that they matter. And when they dream their future, they see a world of shared leadership: where the values of courage, confidence, and character really do make the world a better place."
Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. It is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries.
Over the last 100 years, more than 50 million women in the United States alone, have enjoyed Girl Scouts at some point in their youth. More than just cookie sales, girls have learned camping skills, sewing skills, how to stay fit, and healthy living choices. Girls have earned countless badges in photography, horseback riding, music, first aid, various sports, geocaching, cooking, drawing and many more.
“I made a lot of friendship through girl scouting. Some of them I am still good friends with,” recalled one Pennsylvania former Scout whose daughter just joined and she is loving it. “She was so proud to earn her first badge and to sell her cookies.”
Today the girls are divided into age groups: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. While programs may vary from state to state, the organization remains essentially the same and consistent.
For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U or visit www.girlscouts.org.
NOTE: A portion of this article is from an official press released issued by the Girl Scouts.
ABOUT JEANNE RUCZHAK-ECKMAN
Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman began writing in 1985, with her work appearing in several local newspapers. From 2003-2009, she spearheaded an online newspaper company, which had two newspapers, the PA Farm News and SolancoNews.com. The latter covered everything from hometown heroes and new businesses to the Nickel Mines Shooting. She received my Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Lock Haven University, and was diagnosed with diabetes in 2009. Her interests include learning more about diabetes and how to deal with it, genealogy, history/travel, gaming and Orthodoxy. You may contact Jeanne with your comments and questions.
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