Girl Scouts Announces New Leaders of Troop Capitol Hill

Girl Scouts is excited to announce the new leaders of Troop Capitol Hill, Girl Scouts’ honorary bi-partisan delegation of all women members of the U.S House and Senate, for the 114th Congress. For this new Congress, the number of co-chairs of Troop Capitol Hill has been expanded to eight and includes four Democratic and four Republican members of both the House and Senate. The announcement comes as Girl Scouts across the country are in the midst of celebrating Girl Scout Day—an annual commemoration of March 12, 1912, the day that founder Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the first 18 Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia.

The Congresswomen of Troop Capitol Hill, which was established to educate Congress about issues affecting girls and young women, embody the Girl Scout spirit and mission, working to determine the course of our nation and make the world a better place. Co-chairs for the new session of Congress include: Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Patty Murray (D-WA); and their House colleagues, Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Donna Edwards (D-MD), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). 

“Troop Capitol Hill is made up of women leaders from across the nation who are committed to exploring and promoting policies that improve the lives of girls everywhere,” said Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “For over a century, Girl Scouts has been committed to connecting today’s girls with today’s female leaders who can serve as mentors, guides, and trailblazers for future generations. In the coming term, I look forward to working with our new co-chairs, and all members of Congress, to develop policies that will help girls develop the skills they need to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

In collaboration with Troop Capitol Hill, Girl Scouts works to promote policies, champion ideas, and shape the legislative dialogue around girls and young women in America and beyond. Among the major national initiatives for GSUSA in the new legislative session will be working to promote healthy living opportunities for girls, especially through increased access to outdoor activities, as well as promoting economic education programs around STEM and financial literacy and working to foster global citizenship and a global voice for girls. Additionally, Girl Scouts will work with Congress to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts’ highest honor, the Girl Scout Gold Award (equivalent to the Eagle Scout), which will take place in 2016.

“As a former Girl Scout, I am honored to serve as a co-chair of the Girl Scouts’ honorary bipartisan Troop Capitol Hill. At Girl Scouts girls and young women learn the values of community involvement, civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and active leadership. When women are empowered, so is our nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress as well as the Girl Scouts of the USA to tackle issues important to young women and girls.” – Representative Donna Edwards

“Every single girl has something amazing to offer the world, and no one understands that better than the Girl Scouts. When young women have the opportunity to reach their full potential, the impact they can have on their communities is tremendous. I’m honored to serve as a leader of Troop Capitol Hill—and as a former Girl Scout and a mother of two young daughters, I will continue to work to create new possibilities for girls—be it through supporting STEM in the classroom, or advancing policies to empower students to succeed.” – Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Girl Scouts has a long history of working with female leaders of both parties to advance the dialogue around girls and the issues they face. Recently, Girl Scouts released a video series entitled Portraits in Leadership featuring local girls from communities throughout the United States interviewing their female members of Congress about what it takes to be a leader. Troop Capitol Hill Co-Chairs Shelly Moore Capito and Barbara Mikulski were among the women who took part in the series.

The 114th Congress will have unprecedented opportunities to promote girls and their limitless potential for leadership, and Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to be welcoming new and returning members of Troop Capitol Hill for an exciting and productive legislative session.