WHM: Doses of Inspiration from Five Famous Girl Scout Alums!

Celebrate Women's History Month with a dose of inspiration from these famous Girl Scouts!

Let’s start off with a simple statement—Women’s History Month is EVERY month! Every minute of the day there is a woman out there breaking the glass ceiling, empowering others, and making the world a better place. Did you know some of those women are Girl Scout sisters? To wrap up the official Women’s History Month, we have gathered some inspiring words of wisdom from famous, trailblazing women who also happen to be Girl Scout alums.

 

Famous or not, Women are POWER. Now go out there, dream big, and make things happen! You’ve got this. Which of the quotes inspires you most? Take to social media and let us know. Make sure to tag us @girlscouts and use #GirlScoutsRock.

Three Generations of Girl Scouts in Sacramento

In California, Sacramento's ABC News 10 meets with three generations of Girl Scouts who share their experiences growing up with the Girl Scout organization and why it's been a tradition in their family. Check it out!

Do you have experience with multi-generational Girl Scout families? Have you stayed in touch with Girl Scouts from your past? Register with the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association to reconnect!

PR Week Interviews Kathy Cloninger

Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts USA, talks to Danielle Drolet at PR Week about keeping the brand relevant and fresh as the 100th anniversary nears. The article is subscription based, but I would like to highlight one section specifically. About her plans to develop further on the digital front besides Facebook and Twitter, Cloninger states, "We have 50 million Girl Scout alums in the US and we aren't connected to them. We want to use technology to recapture them and create a call to action for women to get involved again. Similarly, we have plans for a digital way to bring all of the scouts in the US together to celebrate the anniversary virtually, as well as face to face."

Have you stayed in touch with Girl Scouts from your past? Register with the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association to reconnect!

Coachella Valley Girl Scout Troop 4, Reunited

In southern California, My Desert reports that a group of women recently traveled from Rhode Island, Kansas and Texas, plus northern and southern California cities to reminisce about an unforgettable trip they took together 52 years ago when a group of 30 girls and chaperones took a bus trip across the United States to New York and Washington, D.C., amongst many other stops. The trip encompassed 7,478 miles in 30 days. They were all members of Coachella Valley Girl Scout Troop 4 led by the late Florence Keck of Indio.

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The reunion was prompted by a brief get-together a couple of the former Girl Scouts had last October at the opening of the Girl Scout history exhibit at the Coachella Valley History Museum in Indio. At that time, Kathie Keck Dagermandy of South Pasadena and Bonnie Clause Schwatzburg of Lawrence, Kansas, put their heads together and with the help of Reenie Keck Barrow's computer skills back in Bristol, R.I., put out the word.

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They were able to learn the whereabouts of 24 of the former troop members, with 14 attending the reunion. The women, now in their mid- to late 60s, looked at scrapbooks, read trip journals and enjoyed a slide presentation. The journal was written by all of the girls. Midst lots of laughter about remembered episodes and escapades, the women, now more serious than they were in 1959, also mentioned learning about segregation in the South for the first time, seeing “white only” drinking fountains and restrooms.

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They also remembered how much times have changed when they noted the cost of each night's lodging, which ranged from $1.50 per girl to a high of $3.50. Most meals were less than 25 cents.

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Pretty awesome! Have you stayed in touch with Girl Scouts from your past? Register with the Girl Scouts Alumnae Association to reconnect!

Focus on a Famous Former!

Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop. She has won nine Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

She has performed with The Rolling Stones and has sung duets with Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Michelle Branch, and Sting among others. She has performed backing vocals for Tina Turner, Don Henley and Belinda Carlisle. Crow has released seven studio albums, two compilations, and a live album, and has contributed to film soundtracks. She has sold 16 million albums in the United States and 35 million albums worldwide and her newest album, 100 Miles from Memphis, was released on July 20, 2010.

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Who is your favorite famous former Girl Scout?

Spotlight on a Famous Former: Chita Rivera

Former Girl Scout and theater legend Chita Rivera is an American actress, dancer, and singer best known for her roles in musical theater. She is the first Hispanic woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honors Award. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. For a comprehensive list of famous formers, look here!

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Who is your favorite former?

A Tribute to Gabrielle Giffords From Tucson Girl Scouts

On January 8, 2011, United States House of Representative Gabrielle Giffords was a victim of a shooting near Tucson, Arizona, which is alleged to have been an assassination attempt on her at a Safeway supermarket where she was meeting publicly with constituents. Giffords was critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head; six people were killed, and another thirteen people were injured in the shooting.

Gabrielle Giffords, a former Girl Scout herself, has also been a Girl Scout supporter for many years. On April 21, 2007, Giffords hosted her third "Congress on Your Corner" in Tucson, Arizona and kicked things off by speaking to the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Sahuaro Council.

On May 18, 2010, Giffords congratulated a Tucson high school student who has been honored by NASA for a project explaining her interest in becoming a planetary geologist. Zoë Bentley, 13, an Arizona student and member of the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Sahuaro Council, was the second-place winner in a national contest to market careers at NASA to teens. The No Boundaries competition was sponsored by NASA and USA Today. She stated:

“As a former Girl Scout myself, I am so proud to have this honor presented to Zoë – a girl from my hometown who was working on a Girl Scout project... And as a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, I know how critical it is to have young people – especially young girls – interested in science careers at an early age.”

Giffords, who also serves as chairwoman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, called Bentley an inspiration to students in Arizona and across the nation.

In the aftermath of the tragedy in Tucson, the Arizona Daily Star reports on a project by the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Sahuaro Council, who put together tribute posters for Giffords. The posters feature pictures of Giffords at age eight, when she was a Girl Scout. Current Scouts and community members are encouraged to write notes of well wishes to Giffords. Tamara McKinney, director of development at the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Sahuaro Council, says,

"We wanted to do something that gives our membership, our girls, an opportunity to send a personal message thanking her and telling her that we're thinking of her and love her."

The posters will be delivered to Gabrielle Giffords at the hospital and another will be sent to her office. Our thoughts and well wishes are with victims and their families…

Kate Middleton: A Royal Brownie!

Hello Magazine uncovered some childhood photos of Kate Middleton recently and it appears she was a Brownie under Girlguiding UK!

Middleton is the fiancée of Prince William of Wales. On 16 November 2010, the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement. On November 23, 2010, it was announced the wedding will take place on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey, with the day declared a bank holiday in the UK.

Are you excited for the next royal wedding?

Gold on Ice

St. Louis Today is reporting that Amanda Kennedy used ice skating in her Girl Scout Gold Award community project. Called A Century Celebration of Music, the event featured performances from more than 100 skaters from seven different ice skating clubs in the area. There was no fee, but those who attended were asked to bring items to be donated to residents of children's homes in the metropolitan area. The effort brought in 6,755 items such as diapers, shoes, socks and other apparel.

Organizations benefiting from Kennedy's efforts are Epworth Children and Family Services of Webster Groves, Every Child's Hope of St. Louis, Child Center-Mary Grove of Florissant, Missouri Baptist Children's Home of Bridgeton and St. Vincent Home for Children of St. Louis.

Kennedy actually began her project of collecting items for St. Louis children's homes at the start of the school year and it will continue for the remainder of the school year. The ice show was the centerpiece of her effort. a determined athlete, having to travel at least a half hour to get to either one of the rinks where she practices. She aspires to become a professional skater with the Haydenette Synchronized Skating Team in Boston after she graduates from high school.

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Below is a video of American figure skater Dorothy Hamill - 1976 Olympic champion in Ladies' Singles, 1976 World Champion and Girl Scout Alumnae.

Char Corbit Looks Back on Thirty-Three Years

Char Corbit's retirement after 33 years with the Girl Scouts of Utah officially began on New Years Eve reports The Salt Lake Tribune. A stay-at-home mom who worked for the Democratic Party and on political campaigns, Corbit signed up as a troop leader from 1969 to 1977, when Girl Scouts of Utah hired her as a paid staffer. She served as director of outdoor programs, director of fund development, interim CEO and director of property. Corbit directed the $8 mil-lion overhauls of Trefoil Ranch in Provo Canyon and Camp Cloud Rim near Park City.

Kudos to Corbit for her dedication and hard work!

The Wedding Gift of Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts of the USA congratulates Aylin Tugberk and John Amore on their recent wedding nuptials in Brooklyn, New York. We deeply appreciate Aylin and John for choosing Girl Scouts of the USA as one of their charities of choice for their wedding guests to give philanthropic donations in lieu of gifts. They were able to raise over $10,000 in donations.

Aylin and John selected Girl Scouts because Aylin is a Girl Scout Alumna, who participated in the Girl Scouts Leadership Experience. Aylin was a Brownie and continued her participation in Girl Scouts through her senior year of high school. Both Aylin and John are passionate about international relations and world travel. They met as colleagues while working at Citigroup in 2004 and had the opportunity to travel. Of her experience in Girl Scouting, Aylin says:

"Girl Scouts helps ease transitions from one phase of childhood to another and then from adolescence to adulthood. It serves as another group of friends you
can rely on. The key is to find a core group of girls within your troop from the early ages and go through the stages of scouting together. While your schools may change, your friendships with those girls will only grow as you develop into a young leader and community steward. I am so glad I was a Girl Scout throughout my youth. To me, it is one of my greatest accomplishments and there are only happy memories associated with all the activities we did.”

Kudos and Congratulations to Aylin and John! You too can help Girl Scouting by donating. Your gift to Girl Scouting will help girls realize their dreams and become tomorrow's leaders. Through your generosity, they will grow into active and engaged members of their communities and develop their full potential in their chosen fields. Join us in helping girls everywhere. Donate now - it is tax deductible.

Sarah Omar Uses Scouting Experience to Help Low-Income Girls

In Texas, The Coppell Gazette-Star reports that Sarah Omar is working to empower people in her community. Omar, an 18-year-old student at American University, is using her experience as a Girl Scout to motivate elementary girls as part of the Young Leaders Program, which allows college students to act as Girl Scout troop leaders to economically disadvantaged elementary and middle school students for six weeks. Of her Girl Scout experience, Omar says:

"Girl Scouts has formed so much of whom I am and a lot of my self-confidence... I really want other girls to at least get a taste what that is like."

In January, Omar earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for co-founding the Bridge of Lights, a project that gave flashlights to students in the blacked out region of Kashmir. In 2005, an earthquake hit the Kashmir region, located between the countries of India and Pakistan and relief aid was scarce. Hearing of the lack of electricity, Omar made presentations to companies, church groups, friends and neighbors asking for donations to purchase solar-powered flashlights to send to the Kashmir region. After 118 hours of work, enough money was raised to send 1,075 solar flashlights to students in the Kashmir region.

According to Omar, participating in the Young Leaders program is an opportunity to inspire young girls the same way she was inspired by Girl Scouts. How has Girl Scouting been an inspiration to you?

Spotlight on Sandra “Sam” Tysver, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council

In Florida, The Jacksonville Daily Record showcases Nonprofit CEO Sandra “Sam” Tysver - Chief Executive Officer - Girl of the Scouts of Gateway Council Inc. The article states that her first experience with community service was raising money for UNICEF and March of Dimes as a child in elementary school.

She later went onto become the CEO of Girl Scouts of The Fox River Valley, Appleton, Wisconsin and is now in her position at the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc. The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council is currently preparing for cookie season and their 23rd Annual Women Of Distinction fundraising luncheon.

In Michigan, Managing the Chaos of a Brownie Meeting

Char Luttrell, Community Contributor for AnnArbor.com, Communications Specialist for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and survivor of four years of Brownie sleepovers and campouts, recently penned a piece titled "Managing the Happy Chaos of a Girl Scout Brownie Meeting" - it's fantastic. Of Girl Scout Brownies, Luttrell states:

"They are lovable, energetic, boisterous and loud... These second and third grade girls love to test the limits, to find out what they can and cannot do. Without a plan, a Girl Scout Brownie troop leader can go home from every troop meeting with a raging headache."

I'm sure our readers can relate! Definitely read the entire article here. Do you have any advice for those venturing into Brownie Territory?

Girl Scout Film Earns Gold Award

Mainline Media News states that Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement for members, is something that any Girl Scout would be proud of. For Darragh Friedman, who comes from a family involved in the film industry, choosing to make a film for her project was an easy decision.

For the documentary, Friedman tracked down survivors of the Holocaust for on-screen interviews. The experience, which involved making many calls, following up on recommendations and visiting Jewish Community Centers and synagogues, is one that Friedman said was humbling. Friedman is currently studying communications and pre-law at Temple University and is involved with on-campus organizations including Temple Student Government and various school news and radio stations. Kudos to Darragh Friedman and her fantastic film.

Girl Scout Centenarian Receives Proclamation from San Jacinto Council

Helen Barnard was recently honored with a proclamation by the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council on her 100th birthday, the first of its kind ever presented by the Council.

Barnard was a Girl Scout leader for 10 years before taking her troop on a historic trip to Our Chalet in Switzerland, one of the world centers of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, in 1957. As part of the trip, Barnard and Troop #328 traveled first by plane to Montreal, Canada, before sailing to Europe. Mementos from the trip were recently donated to GSSJC to be displayed at the Goodykoontz Museum of Girl Scout History, one of the few Girl Scout museums in the U.S., located in the Greenway Plaza area of Houston, Texas.

Barnard’s niece, Michel Hinton, a Girl Scout alumna, troop leader and Hinton’s daughter, Elizabeth, also a Girl Scout Brownie, presented the proclamation to Barnard during a celebration honoring her 100th birthday. Girl Scouts is a family tradition that has been passed down to three generations. Members of Barnard’s troop who took that memorable trip to Our Chalet were also witnesses to the presentation. Awesome!

Along that note, Girl Scouts itself will be turning 100 in 2012! We are asking all adult Girl Scouts to stand up and be counted by joining our exciting new online Girl Scouts Alumnae Community. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or were in Girl Scouts many years ago, we want to stay connected with you and give you the opportunity to connect with other Girl Scouts. Through this site, you can now access the Alumnae newsletters as well as all that is happening at Girl Scouts on a national and local level. Join now and be counted as Girl Scouts moves towards its 100th anniversary! We hope you will visit the site often. Signing up only takes a moment and is free.

Arizona Girl Scouts Stick Together!

In Arizona, The Ahwatukee News has a fantastic story about a group of Girl Scouts who have been together since the second grade, and are now away at college and reflecting on their time together. They each give credit to their leaders for their success both in Girl Scouts and in life. The article relates that It seems simple for a group to get together, but staying together is what's rare. Many troops disband when a leader gets too busy or their daughter decides to quit. In Troop 592, one leader decided to stay with the group even after her daughter left.

The girls say they learned a lot from being a part of Girl Scouts for so long, like responsibility, people skills, outdoor skills and they found something they all had in common - a love for volunteering. Definitely read the entire article here!

Once a Girl Scout, Always a Girl Scout!

Girl Scouts of the USA has recently launched an Alumnae Online Community. A fantastic resource for all Girl Scout Alumnae - it serves as a site for Alumnae to reconnect with and to rediscover Girl Scouting. Definitely check it out!

Since 1912, Girl Scouts has been dedicated to building girls of courage, character, and confidence who make the world a better place. In two years, 3.5 million active Girl Scouts and volunteers will join some 50 million Girl Scout alumnae in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. This momentous occasion provides a unique opportunity for alumnae to reconnect with each other, discover what today’s Girl Scouts are doing as well as learn about our plans for the 100th Anniversary. We invite all adult Girl Scouts (18 years and older), including former Brownies, former and current volunteers, and former and current Girl Scout staff to register for the New Girl Scouts Alumnae Association; Online Alumnae Community. This is the place to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and learn about our plans for the 100th Anniversary.

Two Governor Hopefuls, Two Former Girl Scouts

In Oklahoma, The Moore American reports that when the next governor of Oklahoma takes the oath of office in January, she will be bringing with her the words from another oath - The Girl Scout Promise and Law. Both candidates for Oklahoma’s governor this year are Girl Scouts, and both said the leadership skills they learned to get them to this important moment in the state’s history can be traced directly to the experiences they had as a Girl Scout. Cathy Stackpole, CEO for Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma states:

“The fact that we have two distinguished women running for the top leadership position in our state who also were Girl Scouts is a testament to the power of the leadership experience of Girl Scouts.”

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Democrat, and Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Republican, are proud of their own Girl Scout experiences and both remain active in the organization today. Fallin is a member of Troop Capitol Hill, an honorary Girl Scout Troop comprised of women serving in Congress. Askins is a member of the local Juliette Low Leadership Society, which supports Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and is an adult member of the local council.

Leadership in action - definitely a fantastic example. Check out the entire article here. How many women in governance do you think were Girl Scouts?

At Age 97, 85 Years of Girl Scouting

Head over to NorthJersey.com today and check out an article on Libbie Lindsay. Lindsay, at 97 years old, was honored last weekend in a ceremony looking back on her 85 years in Lyndhurst Girl Scouts. It was in 1925, at the age of 13, when Libbie Lindsay joined the Girl Scouts and she's been everything from a leader and trainer to registrar and of course mentor to thousands of girls in her long tenure.

Definitely read the entire article here, and share any stories you have about someone you know who has had a long tenure in Girl Scouting.