Katherine Legge to Carry Girl Scout Logo on Helmet at Indianapolis 500 to Support Girl Scouts

Indianapolis 500 driver Katherine Legge will honor millions of Girl Scouts by wearing the Girl Scout logo on her helmet this Sunday when she competes for the second time in the greatest spectacle in motorsports.  The first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America, Legge attributes much of her success to the confidence and character she developed while growing up in the United Kingdom as a Girl Guide, part of a sister organization to Girl Scouts.  She became one of just nine women ever to race in the Indianapolis 500 when she competed in her first Indy 500 last year, also wearing the Girl Scout logo, and she is one of only four women racing in the 33-car field this year.

The logo will be worn to call attention to the cause of girls’ leadership and the need to encourage more girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  “I had to fight to get into this year’s Indianapolis 500, and carrying Girl Scouts’ logo on my helmet reminds me of what got me here,” says Legge. “When I was a young girl, Girl Guides inspired me to believe in myself and my ability to achieve my dreams.  I’m proud to bring the Girl Scout logo to the most important race in the world as a reminder that women can succeed in any field if they believe in themselves and work hard.”

Girl Scouts of the USA has been helping girls break career barriers for more than 100 years. In 1913, Girl Scouts encouraged girls to consider becoming professional aviators. Today, the organization is focused entirely on giving girls the skills they need to become leaders in their own lives.

One of the ways Girl Scouts is helping encourage leadership skills today is by supporting girls who wish to pursue careers in science, math, engineering and technology (STEM).  Girl Scout Research Institute’s 2012 study, Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, found that girls are aware that gender barriers persist in today's society. The study found that 57 percent of girls agreed that if they were to pursue a STEM career, they would "have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously." The study also found that 89 percent of all girls agree that "obstacles make me stronger."

Legge works with Girl Scouting as a STEM ambassador to help girls overcome obstacles to their interest in these fields. As a successful competitor in the male-dominated sport of racing, Legge exemplifies qualities girls need to succeed in STEM, including a strong understanding of math and the sciences, being team-oriented, and working diligently toward a defined goal.

Girl Scouts of the USA Joins in Support as Rep. Susan Brooks and Rep. Ron Kind Introduce Bipartisan Pension Relief Legislation for Charities

The Wall Street Journal reports that today, U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Ron Kind (D- WI) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide relief to non-profits such as local Girl Scout councils, which now have higher pension funding rules than taxable, for-profit companies. This bill, the Charitable Pension Flexibility Act, which was developed in collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), enables Girl Scouts and similar charities with affiliates, such as universities and non-profit hospitals, to opt-in early starting next year to the pension funding rules that cover corporate plans.

“As a former Girl Scout, I am pleased to support charitable organizations like the Girl Scouts as they seek a level playing field with corporate America when it comes to pension funding requirements,” said Rep. Brooks. “This common sense legislation provides much needed flexibility allowing organizations such as the Girl Scouts to continue serving communities in Indiana and across our nation. Helping local Girl Scout councils succeed ensures millions of girls continue benefiting from the life-long leadership lessons the organization provides.”

The Charitable Pension Flexibility Act applies to charity pension plans with multiple entities that are exempt from normal pension funding rules until 2017. This straightforward bill would permit such plans to elect into the normal rules in 2014. A technical correction that previously passed the Senate would have permitted this same option.

“We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Congresswoman Susan Brooks and Congressman Ron Kind,” said Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer at Girl Scouts of the USA. “The pension issue is critical, and with every day that goes by it’s threatening our councils’ ability to continue vital programs, offer opportunities to girls, retain the staff and develop the volunteers who make our organization a powerful force in the lives of young women.”

Absent prompt Congressional relief, local Girl Scout councils will have to cut programs, lay off staff, and engage in other cost-cutting measures. Local councils are facing a 40 percent increase in their pension expense next year and a 62 percent increase over the next three years. Overall, councils across the country will have to contribute $36 million more than a corporate plan sponsor would in the same situation. This translates into approximately 113,000 girls losing the benefits of Girl Scouting.

“The Girl Scouts do great work in Wisconsin and across the country, teaching girls and young women strong values and leadership skills that will help make them the future leaders of America,” said Rep. Kind. “For over 100 years their name has been synonymous with integrity, courage, and community service, and I’m proud to support efforts to help keep their organization strong.”

Guest Post: A Message from Anna Maria Chávez

Guest Post: A Message from Anna Maria Chávez

A special message from Anna Maria Chávez, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA

I stand with all Girl Scouts across the country and around the world in offering my thoughts and prayers to all of those who have been affected by the massive and devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City area on Monday. As Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said, it was a tragic day for the people of her state and, indeed, for all of us, as the death toll now stands at 24 and includes a Girl Scout, who was a member of the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council.

All staff members of the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council, which is based in Oklahoma City, are accounted for and safe. The council appreciates all of the good wishes, but is unable to handle all of the calls and emails at this time. We ask that you not call or email the council, but instead check its website or Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest information. The council also cannot accommodate material donations, such as blankets and other goods. Instead, the council has created the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund that will help get troops back up and running, provide scholarships for program and camp participation, and offer other support to Girl Scouts in the affected areas. You can text the word GIRLS to 20222 to make a $10 donation. In addition, the council is encouraging girls to send messages or art in the shape of the Girl Scout trefoil that it will present this summer to Girl Scouts affected by the storm. Send your trefoil artwork to:

Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma

Mary Nichols' Family Leadership Center

6100 N. Robinson Ave.

Oklahoma City, Okla. 73118

I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful messages of caring and concern for our sisters at the Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma Council. Even as we grieve for our sister Girl Scout and all those who lost their lives, we are sustained by the resilience of the human spirit and the knowledge that the people of Oklahoma will, in time, recover and rebuild. We have endured in the past year a number of terrible and tragic events, and throughout it all, Girl Scouts have shown remarkable courage, commitment, and leadership. I know that our girls and adult volunteers will do so again in the wake of this tragedy.

Sincerely,

Anna Maria Chávez

Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts 2013 National Young Women of Distinction: Jamila

The victims of civil war in Uganda might be far away, but this Florida Girl Scout took her fight to help improve the situation there to Congress as part of her Gold Award project. Check out a video about Jamila, a 2013 National Young Woman of Distinction, below!

In seventh grade, Jamila was introduced to Invisible Children Organization and wanted to raise awareness about the youth of war torn Northern Uganda and bring to light the heinous crimes of Dictator Joseph Kony and the need for education and rebuilding of Uganda. Working in partnership with the Invisible Children, Jamila started the Global Outreach Club that brought to light the Invisible Children to local school peers. She held Roots for Peace Festival. Proceeds went to purchase education supplies for sister schools. Jamila showed documentary films to peers and worked to feature a student guest speaker from Uganda. Finally, Jamila advocated with local legislators about the importance of the Invisible Children Organization and their work. She established a committee and worked with her Inter Club Council to ensure that participation will continue.

Girl Scouts 2013 National Young Women of Distinction: Brianna

The earlier young children learn "heart lessons" like caring, sharing, and treating others as they would like to be treated, the more successful they will be in life. That's the theory that powered the Gold Award project by this Nebraska Girl Scout, who wrote plays and built puppet theater sets in partnership with a local children's organization that will teach and entertain generations to come.

Growing up, Brianna loved to put on plays and puppet shows for her little sister. She donated a children’s puppet theater to the non-profit organization, Completely Kids. With help from her friends and family, Brianna designed and created the puppet theater and sponsored thirty puppets. She also wrote ten different scripts emphasizing “heart” lessons and led a donation drive to collect costumes so the children could dress up and role-play as their favorite “Community Hero” such as firemen, policemen, and doctors and be part of the plays. The puppet theater will help the children at Completely Kids learn to share, be kind to one another, gain confidence and many more valuable skills. Completely Kids has allocated funds to replenish the puppets so children may enjoy the theater for years to come.

Join the Girl Scout Gold Award Facebook Community and Conversation!

Girl Scout Gold Award recipients are young women of extraordinary achievement who have made the world a better place. The Girl Scout Gold Award community Facebook page pairs Gold Award Alumnae and its equivalent from 1916 with girls currently earning their Gold Award.

Log onto Facebook and join the Girl Scout Gold Award community and conversation! Share your stories and make new friends!

Now check out this awesome Girl Scout Gold Award recipient! The world needs more girls in STEM careers. For her Gold Award project, this Georgia Girl Scout started a STEM career finder website that's since gone global, drawing girls from Atlanta to Africa.

Daniel Boockvar Appointed First-Ever Chief Customer Officer at Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA announced today that Daniel Boockvar has been appointed the organization's first-ever Chief Customer Officer. Boockvar, who has been a senior executive at Weight Watchers International for nearly a dozen years, will join Girl Scouts on May 20, 2013.

Boockvar currently serves as Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations at Weight Watchers, where he has a broad portfolio of duties including responsibility for meeting the needs of over a million Weight Watchers members a week across 20,000 locations and overseeing approximately 20,000 employees. Boockvar joined Weight Watchers in 2002 as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel and steadily moved up the ranks, serving as Vice President of Operations and Sales and later Senior Vice President for Global Business Development.

During his tenure, he helped steward major transformational initiatives for Weight Watchers that include rolling out new national programs, introducing new products and partnerships, launching new stores, and opening new markets in China and Mexico. He began his career at the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and worked in sales and business development at several Internet/e-Commerce-based entrepreneurial ventures before joining Weight Watchers.

"Danny is the perfect fit for this key leadership position," said Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer at GSUSA. "His considerable experience and expertise in managing a large, multi-unit membership-based service organization for an iconic global brand will be invaluable to the Girl Scouts as we move into our next 100 years of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place."

In his new role at Girl Scouts, Boockvar will report directly to Chávez  and will be responsible for helping GSUSA build its organizational muscle and make it even more service oriented and customer focused to better serve and engage its 3.2-million members. The position will be integral to the organization's operations and efforts to drive increased membership through better experiences and relationships with its customers--from its 112 councils, to girls, to adult volunteers and beyond.

"I am so honored to join what I consider the single most important organization for girls in the history of this country," Boockvar said. "The opportunity to be a part of this storied, vibrant brand with its unique mission, and to apply my background, experience, and passion is something that I am very excited about."

Girl Scouts Launches BFF Bully-Prevention Program, Local Girl Scout Produces Acclaimed Anti-bullying PSA

Girl Scouts of the USA is excited to launch BFF (Be a Friend First), a national bully-prevention initiative for middle school girls. Based on GSUSA's popular aMAZE! leadership curriculum, the program helps girls to recognize and intervene in bullying situations and lead positive change in their schools and communities. Sadly, statistics show that when a girl is bullied, 85 percent of the time nobody steps in to help her.

Additional research shows girls are more likely to bully others subtly, through relational aggression--manipulating their relationships with other girls online and off--as opposed to using physical aggression. The same studies also show that bullying behavior peaks in middle school, when the need for social acceptance is high, making this a crucial time to help girls learn to prevent bullying.

"Girl Scouts is about growing girls into leaders, which includes teaching girls to recognize when something is inhibiting their development, such as relational bullying," said Anna Maria Chavez, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. "Giving girls the skills, support, and tools they need to stand up for themselves and others is a key component of leadership. We are creating a program that, with the guidance of adults, can help girls to make their world a better place on an issue that is important to them."

As part of a recent contest, Girl Scouts Speak Out! received PSAs from girls around the country who had a lot to say about bullying.

The Washington Post reports that Hannah, a High School freshman, entered the contest to create an anti-bullying public service announcement Although there’s no talking in the Hannah’s video, the message is clear.

“When you’re exclusive and mean you don’t make any friends, in fact you just make enemies,” Hannah wrote in her contest entry.

The video, called “Cliques”, won first place. The national competition encourages girls to create videos about important issues. Five finalists were chosen by online voting, and “Cliques” was among the top five, with more than 5,300 votes. Girl Scout officials picked Hannah’s video as the winner.

“Cliques,” which was filmed at Hannah’s school, stars 15 of her friends.

The need to prevent bullying is more important than ever because such behavior can affect a girl throughout her life. Bullying statistics show that almost 1/3 of all students ages 12--18 report that they have been bullied at school and 160,000 children miss school each day out of fear of being bullied.

For more information on BFF and how you can get involved or bring the program to your area, look here!

Spotlight on Girl Scouts 2013 National Young Women of Distinction: Nicole

Disturbed by incidents of teen dating violence, this New Jersey Girl Scout got the state legislature to pass a law mandating violence-prevention programs in schools as part of her Gold Award project.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Guest Post: A Message from Anna Maria Chávez

A special message from Anna Maria Chávez, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA

Today is Mother’s Day; a day when we pause to honor and give thanks to the all the amazing women who, through their patience, guidance, and infinite capacity for love and nurture, instill the values that inform our entire lives.

Mothers are a reservoir of love and compassion for girls and boys alike – there’s no wound she can’t heal with a kiss and a band-aid, no joy that can’t be sweetened by her embrace, no despair that can’t be softened by her love.

Of course, mothers are an invaluable part of the Girl Scout experience.  Mothers are the original role models – the ones who set the earliest example for young girls about leadership.  Whether she serves as a troop leader, volunteer or cookie mom, the incredible mother who gives freely of her time to help develop the next generation of female leaders is truly the life blood of our Movement.  

As a Girl Scout and a mother myself, I know firsthand the impact my own mother had on my Girl Scout journey, and I know the feeling of boundless love and joy that comes from being a mom.  So take a moment today to give thanks to the wonderful women in your life who taught you to enjoy and cherish every moment.

A very happy Mother’s Day to the moms who make our Movement and our world a better place.