Guest
Post by Andrea Bastiani Archibald, Ph.D., Chief Girl Expert, GSUSA
Girl
Scouts has valued and supported all girls since our inception in 1912. There is
not one type of girl. Every girl's sense of self, path to it, and how she is
supported is unique.
The
foundation of diversity that Juliette Gordon Low established runs throughout
Girl Scouting to this day. Our mission to build "girls of courage,
confidence, and character, who make the world a better place" extends to
all members, and through our program, girls develop the necessary leadership
skills to advance diversity and promote tolerance.
If
a girl is recognized by her family, school and community as a girl and lives
culturally as a girl, Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a
setting that is both emotionally and physically safe. Inclusion of
transgender girls is handled at a council level on a case by case basis, with
the welfare and best interests of all members as a top priority.
As
we face a complex and rapidly changing 21st century, our nation needs all girls
to reach their full potential, which has been our focus for more than 103
years.