From September 15 – October 15, Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to celebrate the diversity and rich culture of Hispanics, across America and beyond. During this month we pay homage to Latinos who honor their indigenous, Spanish and African roots.Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time for girls of all backgrounds to come together to discover, connect and celebrate the Hispanic culture, as well as commemorate the amazing work that is being done every day by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) with locations across the globe including places such as Spain and Nicaragua.
Today more than 48 million people in the United States are of Hispanic origin, 338,900 of whom are young Latinas who proudly call themselves Girl Scouts. Through Girl Scouts, girls can not only earn patches for learning more about Hispanic heritage, they can also hold Quinceañera celebrations, attend leadership development training, and build the confidence and self-esteem to become the leaders of tomorrow.
We invite you to celebrate with Girl Scouts as we strive to provide young Latinas—and every girl—with the leadership skills and opportunities so they can make a powerful, positive, and profound contribution to their community—and to our world! Let’s take a look at some recent media involving Girl Scouting and Hispanic Culture.
In Lubbock, TX, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal recently reported that Lubbock Girl Scout troops integrate Hispanic heritage into activities. Indicative of their troop's name, the girls of Lubbock's De Colores Girl Scout unit reflect the changing face of America's population and of an American institution.
In Long Island, NY, Hispanic Counseling Center reported that Junior Girl Scout Troop 1541 donated hundreds of new and gently used books for the children of Hispanic Counseling Center, completing the project to earn their bronze award. The girl scouts were in 5th grade. They collected the used books through several book drives. The new books were collected by hosting a bowling event for younger girl scouts.
In California, The Press Enterprise recently ran an article about a group of Girl Scouts who were flown to New York City to shoot a Girl Scouts of the USA commercial that premiered nationwide in mid-July. The commercial is part of our rebranding effort. Also in California, the Hispanic-Latina Initiative has a fantastic placement in The Modesto Bee. It highlights the benefits of girls getting to see their Spanish-speaking moms in leadership positions, so they can better visualize themselves heading everything from Girl Scout troops to companies in the future.
The Miami Herald ran an article about Girl Scouts throwing quinceañera parties for South Miami-Dade teens. In Hispanic cultures, the quinceañera coming-of-age ceremony marks the transition from girl to womanhood. The Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida recently organized a grand quinceañera celebration for a group of young ladies enrolled in the Girl Scouts' Uniquely ME! self-esteem program.
There are also many upcoming events in Girl Scouting in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out these events in Kansas City, KS, Las Vegas, NV, and Paramus, NJ.
You can also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by having your girls earn the Dolores Huerta Girl Scout Patch. The patch, which honors Latina civil rights leader and Girl Scout, Dolores Huerta, was developed by Girl Scouts Heart of Central California in partnership with the Dolores Huerta Foundation. The patch can be earned by any Girl Scout in grades K-12 anywhere in the country. All materials needed to earn the patch are available on-line in both English and Spanish can be found here. There is also the Chicas Patch from Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital.