Get ready to be inspired this Black History Month by these remarkable Girl Scouts who are making a significant impact on the world and their communities. These girls embody resilience, and leadership, and are actively shaping history today. Get ready to meet stars who are making waves not just during Black History Month but well beyond!
What's even more awesome? Each story isn't just about the here and now. It's a continuation of progress, a legacy, and carrying on the work of those who paved the way. So, during February, let's celebrate the possibilities and the work led by today’s girl leaders.
Last year, Girl Scout Trinity earned her Gold Award with her work, "Educating Youth on Natural Hair Care and Hygiene," celebrating natural hairstyles for girls of color. Collaborating with her team, Trinity authored, illustrated, and published a book celebrating natural hairstyles for girls of color. This book also served as a key resource in workshops Trinity organized, where she shared knowledge on proper hair care and encouraged the embrace of hairstyles that celebrate natural textures, fostering confidence in the process. Additionally, she donated copies of her book to local schools and libraries, to ensure a lasting impact on future readers. Her impact in her community continued, as she conducted book readings for over 350 students, making significant strides in education and representation for girls of color everywhere.
Girl Scouts Morgan and Maya aimed to inspire positive change in their community through their Silver Award documentary, "Telling Our Story: Charlotte's Black History." Inspired by their Bronze Award project dedicated to civil rights pioneer Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, the girls aimed to uncover and share lesser-known aspects of Charlotte's Black history. The documentary features interviews with influential figures such as Counts-Scoggins, Harvey B. Gantt, and Kass Ottley, exploring various facets of the city's history from the Black perspective. The film showcased the significance of Black leaders in areas like housing, education, culture, and the Black Lives Matter movement. These Girl Scouts also aspire to integrate the documentary into their local curriculum, to help broaden understanding of the city's Black history.
Girl Scout Melia took on a mission to diversify books within her local schools' libraries after noticing a lack of representation in her school library. She was also inspired by the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign and collected nearly 300 books featuring Black girls as main characters. Melia also partnered with a Black woman-owned bookstore in her area to promote African-American-focused literature. The books that were collected were distributed to schools and the Boys and Girls Club, fostering representation and building self-esteem among young readers.
Gold Award Girl Scout alum Rachel, wanted to encourage and equip Black teenage girls aged 14 to 18, for success in their future careers. She noticed the lack of representation of female Black executive leadership in business and wanted to inspire girls early to gain the skills and confidence to step into the world of business. Doing so she created her program Black Girls Mean Business which provides resources such as workshops, networking tools, and even connections to mentors.
Together, these stories exemplify the potential for change, education, and representation. As we celebrate Black History Month, let these narratives inspire us to recognize the possibilities and contributions of girl leaders TODAY!
Join us in continuing to celebrate the individuals who have exemplified courage, confidence, and character. Share your tributes using #GirlScoutsRock and #BlackHistoryMonth, and make sure to tag us at @girlscouts.
Get started on your Black History Heritage fun patch and think about the endless possibilities YOU and your Troop can create to make your own mark in history.
Join us in continuing to celebrate the individuals who have exemplified courage, confidence, and character. Share your tributes using #GirlScoutsRock and #BlackHistoryMonth, and make sure to tag us at @girlscouts.
Get started on your Black History Heritage fun patch and think about the endless possibilities YOU and your Troop can create to make your own mark in history.