Guest
Post: A Message from Anna Maria Chávez
A special
message from Anna Maria Chávez, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA
Yesterday, I was extremely
honored to take part in a special “Scouting Mass” held in New York City’s
historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The
Mass, presided over by Cardinal Timothy Dolan himself, honored both Girl Scouts
and Boy Scouts who have earned a Catholic Youth Emblem from the Diocese, and
included 27 girls from the Girl Scouts of
the Heart of the Hudson and Greater New York councils.
As CEO of Girl Scouts of the
USA and a practicing Roman Catholic, I was extremely proud to take part in a
ceremony that highlighted the spiritual growth and development of these girls,
who have looked to their faith for inspiration and guidance and completed
projects that channeled that faith to serve others. It was incredible to stand with the
Archbishop, and to present our girls with special honors on behalf of the
Catholic Church and the Girl Scout Movement.
A commitment to faith and
recognition of its importance in our daily lives is a vital part of the Girl
Scout tradition. The amazing young
ladies that were recognized by the Archbishop yesterday have demonstrated a
commitment to their faith and to the Girl Scout Law, which calls on every Girl
Scout to “serve God and my country” by completing projects that allowed them to
grow as Girl Scouts and mature in their faith.
In Girl Scouting, girls of
all religions are encouraged to celebrate and live by the tenets of
their faith, and to incorporate those values into their Girl Scout journey, as
they acquire the courage, confidence and character that help them make their
world a better place.