Guest Blog from Interim CEO Judith Batty
The terrible events of January 6 are a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the critical need for every generation of Americans to be civically educated and engaged from a young age. According to a 2019 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, just 39% of adults in our country are able to name all three branches of government.
This is a shocking statistic, and it reflects the unfortunate fact that, across the U.S., civics is not taught in many classrooms.
Girl Scouts is committed to being part of the solution. It’s a commitment that is embedded in our Promise and Law and our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
As we transition to a new era of U.S. leadership, we want to encourage all girls to be informed citizens so they can become the change-makers of the future. That’s why I’m excited to announce that, today through February 15, Girl Scouts is making the booklets and requirements for our Democracy badges free for all to download. With this support, girls will learn about their federal, state, and local governments, including how their elected officials make decisions and how they—girls—can make a difference in their communities and the country.
It’s more important than ever that we at Girl Scouts double down on our commitment to strengthening our democracy. We are giving girls the tools and the knowledge they need to understand the role of democracy in our nation and the objectives of democratic institutions, so that they can become leaders who work to improve and protect it. Girls must know they have the power to bring about the changes they want to see—and that our country needs.