“It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.”
In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1929, when Lou Henry Hoover became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scouting movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post.
Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.
“From bullying to obesity to concern over the economy, our nation’s girls are facing significant challenges,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. “Girl Scouts is excited to work with the First Lady’s office to ensure that all girls can overcome the challenges they face, and that they have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to become strong, independent young leaders.”
“Girl Scouts can help girls from every background develop their self-confidence and leadership ability, and encourage them to make a difference in the world,” said Connie L. Lindsey, Girl Scouts of the USA National Board Chair. “The First Lady is a passionate, brilliant and inspirational woman – a fantastic role model for girls across the country. We look forward to an active and mutually rewarding partnership on issues important to girls’ lives.”
In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1929, when Lou Henry Hoover became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scouting movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post.
Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.
“From bullying to obesity to concern over the economy, our nation’s girls are facing significant challenges,” said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. “Girl Scouts is excited to work with the First Lady’s office to ensure that all girls can overcome the challenges they face, and that they have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to become strong, independent young leaders.”
“Girl Scouts can help girls from every background develop their self-confidence and leadership ability, and encourage them to make a difference in the world,” said Connie L. Lindsey, Girl Scouts of the USA National Board Chair. “The First Lady is a passionate, brilliant and inspirational woman – a fantastic role model for girls across the country. We look forward to an active and mutually rewarding partnership on issues important to girls’ lives.”
12 comments:
What a wonderful honor bestowed upon a wonderful woman. My daughter was a memeber of Girl Scouts of America and a recepient of the Gold Award. She is now a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in business and a Masters in Business Engineering. This December, 2009 she will receive another Masters from the University of Florida in World Business. I believe much of her leadership skills and strength was acquired as a Girl Scout. She learned much about our world and the individuals that make up our world. I might add that I, her mother, was also a Girl Scout, and her aunt, my sister also received the Gold Award. Girl Scouting is a marvelous organization. I am proud to be an American and thank our first lady for accepting this honor. Congratualations! Madame President! Candace Carlson-Bolin,
Andrea Lauren Zimbardi, and Linda Carlson-Reidy
I at least hope that she will get her own daughters into a troop. It will be difficult for her to hold this position if she has no experience with scouting.
Candy--it is Girl Scouts of the USA, not Girl Scouts of America--please get the name of the best leadership organization for girls in the world right when you are talking about it. I certainly hope that Mrs. Obama is able to take training and have a GS troop, I do believe that one of the past first ladies was a troop leader of a troop that met in the White House. It would be nice to see that again.
This almost makes me want to quit Girl Scouts and pull my daughter out also. I DO NOT want to see a socialist in this organization teaching socialism to our future women leaders.
I can't believe that people can be negative about this wonderful moment in Girl Scouts and American History! I think that Michelle Obama and her daughters will be great spokeswomen for our organization, and that any way we can share our mission and commitment to girls with the country, is a great one.
Isn't this completely ceremonial? The first lady is always tapped as the Nat'l Honorary President of GSUSA. She was never a GS and her girls have never been involved w/GSUSA either. I hope that would change although logistically, it may be very difficult for them to do so.
Kelly - You need to get your facts straight before you TRY to be unkind - which by GSUSA standards you are not adhereing to with such a statement.
My high school daughter who is following in my footsteps of being a GS from K-12 will be thrilled with this news as I that the TRADITION continutes with the USA First Lady being the National Honorary President of GSUSA. Maybe we could suggest that her girls become Juliette Scouts due to the possible limitations of their lifestyle and commitment of this country's First Family to serve our country.
My high school daughter who is following in my footsteps of being a GS from K-12 will be thrilled with this news as I that the TRADITION continutes with the USA First Lady being the National Honorary President of GSUSA. Maybe we could suggest that her girls become Juliette Scouts due to the possible limitations of their lifestyle and commitment of the family to serve our country.
I have to agree with kelly. I sure won't be suporting the girlscouts anymore. I don't want to be ungreatfull, it should be an honor to have the first lady take a role like that. but it's hard to see it that way.
Please move past your political agendas, ladies. By dismissing this woman as a potential threat to all you hold decent, do you discredit her education, experience and professional acumen? Aside from her husband, she is a role model for girls everywhere. I'm discouraged to see this level of discourse on a Girl Scout forum.
I think it is wonderful that Mrs. Obama will be receiving this title. And remeber, it is honorary, she is not actually leading. Don't take such a political view like she's taking over the world. Girl Scouts is what you make it. That's what I love best about this organization. You can have an all Muslim, Jewish, Christian, School, Grade etc troop, or like me an open troop who will take in any girl no matter the socioeconomic, religion practiced or school.
This is not socialist, simply a way to help girls lead and to work with other girls who they might not normally get together with. I have had the troop since they were in kindergarten and now have grades 6-11. I am proud of how far they have come and the paths they are going down. I can't wait to see the leaders they become in the very near future.
So, Kelly, don't stop an organization due to one thing that you disagree with. I would say there must be other things at heart that are bothering you, and this was the tipping point. If you can't find a way to work with something that you have several issues with, then sure, quit. But if it is just one thing, how are you teaching your girls to talk it out and find a compromise or middle ground? How can we teach them peace if we can't, as adults, learn to work together? Just some questions to think about, and I won't answer them, as we each have to answer them in our own ways.
Traditions are so very important, and I'm happy to see it being upheld with this First Lady and our organization. I agree w/ some other posts in seeing the kids get actively involved as well would be great to see.
For those who decide to leave, well, that is sad they can't live by the simplest of our values expressed in the Girl Scout Promise and Law...maybe a review could help ease your fears for changes you may not understand.
And I'm sure a quick look at past Honorary Presidents will show a similar perspective as First Lady Obama. Just a thought.
NJE - Yorktown, VA
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