Celebrating the Centennial in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Dia reports that children from different schools and institutions in Puerto Rico are preparing to participate in the Green Wave, celebrated internationally on May 22, World Biodiversity Day.

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues.

This year, the Caribe Girl Scout Council will be participating. On Saturday, leaders were oriented on how their troops can participate in the event. To mark the centenary of the Girl Scouts, the organization committed itself to a hundred crops under the slogan "100 years of incredible experiences, 100 trees to plant the future."

Girl Scouting in Puerto Rico is administered by the Caribe Girl Scout Council of the Girl Scouts of the USA. It is headquartered in San Juan. The first troop was formed in 1926 in Cabo Rojo by Elisa Colberg.

The Puerto Rican Spanish phrase for a Girl Scout is Niña Escucha, but the phrase Girl Scout is widely understood and used. The Council's newsletter is called Niña Escucha.

Girl Scouts in this council can earn the badge called Los Faros de Puerto Rico (meaning the lighthouses of Puerto Rico).

Diocesan Girl Scouts Join in Centennial Celebration

Earned patches fill Lucie Loftus’ Girl Scout uniform, illustrating her achievements, service and experiences with the organization, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

In Pennsylvania, The Catholic Witness reports that when she joined the Girl Scouts five years ago, Rachel Warthen signed up because she was interested in a particular activity: selling cookies. But it didn’t take long for Rachel to learn that the Girl Scouts are recognized for much more than their yearly springtime confections.

“Girl Scouts has shown us different ways to help other people, and to learn more about our faith,” Rachel told The Catholic Witness. “It also gives us an opportunity to get involved in different activities.”

A Cadet in the troop at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Gettysburg, Rachel was among more than 200 Girl Scouts who gathered with family members and friends at Good Shepherd Church in Camp Hill April 15 for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph P. McFadden in observance of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA.

The Mass showcased the Girl Scouts – several of whom served as altar serves, lector, cantor, offertory collectors and gift bearers. In Good Shepherd’s social hall before and after Mass, Girl Scouts from across the diocese shared projects, achievements

and camaraderie.

“So many of the opportunities that you get in Girl Scouts you can’t get anywhere else,” said Margaret Cahill, a member of the troop at St. Francis Xavier. “For example, we had an overnight in the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, and it was awesome. We were able to stay in an exhibit and see an IMAX movie. I think it was the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”

Rachel and Margaret and several of their fellow troop members received the “Mary the First Disciple” medal from the bishop that day. The medal is part of a national program that promotes the understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality as a woman of the Church.

Michigan Girl Scouts Taking Goldilocks to Court

In Michigan, the Associated Press reports that Goldilocks is set to stand trial before local Girl Scout troops at Alpena County Circuit Court for her alleged crimes against the Three Bears.

Members of Alpena's Brownie Troop 992, Junior Troop 2313 and Cadet/Senior Troop 1033 have put weeks of research and preparation into Monday's mock trial for the fabled character.

For the record, Goldilocks stands accused of breaking and entering, malicious destruction of property and larceny.

The girls are working toward their law badges.

Girl Scout Leader Bronwyn Woolman tells The Alpena News that 30 girls met together for weeks to research and audition for roles that interested them. All are to participate in the trial before Judge Thomas LaCross.

Girl Scouts Teach Fellow Girl Scouts the Importance of Cyber Safety

The New York Daily News reports that when Girl Scout Cadet Denise O’Leary was a Brownie, there was no such thing as Facebook. But recently, while teaching a Brownie troop about the perils of the Internet, she realized just how much times have changed.

“We weren’t as exposed to the Internet as they are now,” said the 17-year-old Girl Scout Gold Award candidate.

Denise and 100 other Girl Scouts were presented with the new “Internet Safety” fun badge at Maestro’s Caterers in the Bronx Sunday.

The event also marked the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The badge, which is earned through a Cablevision-sponsored program, teaches the dangers of cyber bullying and about the lack of privacy on the web.

The program can be used to obtain the official “netiquette” patch.

The increased exposure to social media puts teenage girls in a confusing situation where a girl’s image is not always what it seems, as nearly 74 percent of girls believe other girls their age use social networking sites to make themselves “cooler than they really are,” according to a national survey, Who's That Girl: Self Image in the 21st Century, released by Girl Scouts of the USA.

The Girl Scout survey sheds light on the fact that a majority of girls understand their emotional safety and reputations are at risk online, yet 50 percent admit to not always being as careful as they should be online. Sixty-eight percent of girls have had a negative experience on a social networking site, such as having someone gossip about them or being bullied. Furthermore, many girls are concerned that they won’t get into their college of choice (42 percent), will miss a job opportunity (40 percent) and will get into trouble with parents and teachers (40 percent).

“When we did this activity as a group, the girls couldn’t believe some of the things that had happened,” said Dandai Moreno who leads two troops in the Bronx.

The girls were warned never to divulge where they live, she said, because “next thing you know, an old man shows up at the park saying ‘hey, I’m your friend’s dad.”

Hot Topic: Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

The Washington Post reports that The White House Council on Women and Girls held a gathering in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building focusing on girls in the science, engineering, technology and mathematics fields.

The audience included Girl Scouts of varying ages, college students, teachers, parents and mentors. All listened as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson gave her introductory remarks and as a panel of some of the nation’s most accomplished women in technology spoke about their personal experiences and the challenges women face in pursuing a career in the STEM fields. The panel included Jackson along with astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman, Facebook Director of Engineering Jocelyn Goldfein, Edmonds Community College President Jean Hernandez and Howard University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders President Bianca Bailey.

The White House Blog reports that Girls in STEM, featuring young women scientists and engineers who wowed the President and the nation at the White House Science Fair in February, shines a spotlight on these extraordinary young role models and their exciting projects – ranging from a machine that detects buried landmines, to a prosthetic hand device, to a lunchbox that uses UV light to kill bacteria on food.

Following the release of this video, several of America’s top women in science and engineering took the stage to talk about how pursuing their interest in STEM led them to exciting and rewarding careers. Moderated by Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and an engineer by training – who also delivered opening remarks – this panel included the following: Jocelyn Goldfein, Director of Engineering at Facebook, Dr. Cady Coleman, NASA Astronaut, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired, Bianca Bailey, President of the Howard University Chapter of Engineers without Borders, Dr. Jean Hernandez, President of Edmonds Community College.

Although women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, new Girl Scout research shows that it’s not for lack of interest. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Generation STEM: What Girls Say About Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM.

News of Juliette Gordon Low's Presidential Medal of Freedom Widespread

The New York Times reports that The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor a grateful nation, or at least president, has to bestow on a civilian. Perhaps the most surprising pick is Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts 100 years ago. The Medal of Freedom is often awarded posthumously, but rarely quite so post.

Politico writes that born in 1860, Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912. The organization strives to teach girls self-reliance and resourcefulness. It also encourages girls to seek fulfillment in the professional world and to become active citizens in their communities. Since 1912, the Girl Scouts has grown into the largest educational organization for girls and has had over 50 million members. This year, the Girl Scouts celebrate their 100th Anniversary, calling 2012 “The Year of the Girl.”

The White House reports that along with Juliette Gordon Low, Madeleine Albright, John Glenn, Toni Morrison, John Paul Stevens, Pat Summitt, Shimon Peres, Bob Dylan, William Foege, Jan Karski, Dolores Huerta, Gordon Hirabayashi and John Doar will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“These extraordinary honorees come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but each of them has made a lasting contribution to the life of our Nation," said President Obama. "They’ve challenged us, they’ve inspired us, and they’ve made the world a better place. I look forward to recognizing them with this award.”

Presidential Medal of Freedom to be Awarded to the Founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low

The White House announced today that President Obama is posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, recognizes individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors".

“Juliette Gordon Low was a visionary, whose legacy lives on in the 59 million American women who have been part of Girl Scouting at some point in their lives,” said Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually, and in founding the Girl Scouts in 1912, she made an indelible and enduring contribution to the lives of girls and to our nation. It is so fitting that on our 100th anniversary, she should be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

From the beginning, the Girl Scouts has insisted on being a voice for all girls. Juliette Gordon Low's first 18 Girl Scouts included girls from influential Savannah families, as well as girls from the Female Orphan Asylum and Congregation Mickve Israel. As early as 1917 the first African-American troops were established, as well as troops for disabled girls. One of the earliest Latina troops was formed in 1922; Girl Scout troops supported Japanese-American girls in internment camps in the 1940s, and by the 1950s, Girl Scouts was leading the charge to fully integrate all of its troops. In 1956, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Girl Scouts "a force for desegregation."

Low’s exemplary life, work, and legacy have received many forms of recognition in the past. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill authorizing a stamp in honor of Low. On October 28, 1979, Low was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and on December 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill naming a new federal building in Savannah in honor of her. It was the second federal building in history to be named after a woman. A bust of Low is displayed in the State Capitol of Georgia.

In receiving The Presidential Medal of Freedom, Low joins the ranks of Frances Hesselbein, who in 1998 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work with the Girl Scouts of the USA. Hesselbein served as the CEO for the Girl Scouts of the USA, and is credited with increasing minority membership and establishing the Daisy Scout program for the youngest girls accepted into Girl Scouts.

Archdiocese of Chicago awards Puella Mariae Medal to Girl Scouts

In Illinois, Trib Local reports that over the past few months, Junior Girl Scouts in the fifth grade have met several times on Sunday mornings in the Teen Room at St. Michael Church to complete the requirements to earn the Puella Mariae Religious Award. Amanda Marino was the teen facilitator of the sessions. She has had the opportunity to earn this award as a Girl Scout and is thankful for the chance to work with these young girls as they journey in their faith. For some of the girls in the group, this is the third religious award they have earned. "It is an inspiration to watch the girls and share their dedication," comments Amanda.

The Puella Mariae Medal is a recognition that the Archdiocese of Chicago awards to youth for advancement in religious knowledge and spiritual formation. The Latin name means "Child of Mary." The Puella Mariae program is designed for us to share discussion and devote our time to Mary.

"Some of the requirements involving our devotion to Mary," Jillian Marino explains, "included reading about her life and discussing what kind of person she may have been. We also learned when and why her Feast Days are celebrated. There was a lesson about how to pray the rosary and follow the mysteries. We learned to pray the Memorare to keep us close to Mary. Our group learned about our parish history and took a "virtual tour" of St. Michael Church. One of our members, Emma Woods, described St. Francis Church to us. We discussed the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and how we can live like the Blessed Mother following her example in our thoughts and actions."

"Other requirements we fulfilled included learning to pray the Hail Mary in different languages such as Polish, French, and Spanish. We even learned that the prayer can be shared in song and sign language," Lauren Niedziela recalls. "Our lessons covered the Ten Commandments and a comparison to the Girl Scout Law and Girl Scout Promise. We were surprised to learn how many similarities there are between them. We talked about different types of crosses their appearances and meanings. We learned about the parts of the mass and how people our age can participate. Finally, we talked about Baptism and First Holy Communion and drew pictures of symbols of the sacraments."

On Tuesday, April 24th, Fr. Paul blessed the Puella Mariae medals and distributed them to Emily Kaderabek, Grace Kupczyk, Jillian Marino, Lauren Niedziela, Colleen O'Finn, Katie Pasquinelli, Danielle Schleyer and Emma Woods (St. Francis) at a ceremony in the Adoration Chapel of St. Michael Parish.

Girl Scouts STEM Initiatives Featured at White House

The White House Blog reports that Girls in STEM, featuring young women scientists and engineers who wowed the President and the nation at the White House Science Fair in February, shines a spotlight on these extraordinary young role models and their exciting projects – ranging from a machine that detects buried landmines, to a prosthetic hand device, to a lunchbox that uses UV light to kill bacteria on food.

Following the release of this video, several of America’s top women in science and engineering took the stage to talk about how pursuing their interest in STEM led them to exciting and rewarding careers. Moderated by Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and an engineer by training – who also delivered opening remarks – this panel included the following: Jocelyn Goldfein, Director of Engineering at Facebook, Dr. Cady Coleman, NASA Astronaut, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired, Bianca Bailey, President of the Howard University Chapter of Engineers without Borders, Dr. Jean Hernandez, President of Edmonds Community College.

In addition, inspired by the President’s “all-hands-on deck” call to action, a number of private-sector partners have joined with the Administration today to announce exciting new commitments to expand STEM learning opportunities for girls and provide them with inspiring STEM role models and mentors.

More than $500,000 in new funding for STEM programing at the national girl-serving organization, Girls, Inc. A new partnership between Girl Scouts, USA and Mocha Moms, Inc., a national network for moms of color, to encourage the recruitment of more STEM mentors.

Although women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, new Girl Scout research shows that it’s not for lack of interest. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute studyGeneration STEM: What Girls Say About Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM.

Jason Lee's Kid Portraits Feature Famous Cookie Boxes

Yahoo! Shine reports that what started out as a few candid shots on photographer Jason Lee's family photo blog, turned into some amazing portraits, thanks to his keen eye and creative mind.

Girl Scouts Helped Launch Kathryn D. Sullivan to the Stars

In Tennessee, The Oak Ridger reports that Kathryn D. Sullivan credits Girl Scouts as something that "provided me with an avenue for my own array of interests and skills and gave me access to the whole world."

Sullivan, who holds the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space, was the guest speaker at the recent celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouts. The celebration was a joint effort of the Girl Scouts Council of the Southern Appalachians and the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge.

A former member of a Mariner Scout troop, Sullivan recalled the experience of visiting an airport and being "completely mesmerized."

"I love making things work, and seeing how they work," she said.

Her experience as a Girl Scout, Sullivan said, "set the seed in me that led to my science background and time as an astronaut.

Sullivan currently is the U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction and deputy administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; she was appointed by President Barack Obama in May 2011.

Special White House Event Will Encourage Girls’ Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Although women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, new Girl Scout research shows that it’s not for lack of interest. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Generation STEM: What Girls Say About Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM.

Among other Generation STEM findings is the discovery that African American and Hispanic girls, while they show a high degree of confidence and interest in STEM, and a strong work ethic, have fewer supports, less STEM exposure, and lower academic achievement than do Caucasian girls. When asked how likely they would be to seek support and information on STEM career choices from parents or guardians, 54 percent of African American and 54 percent of Hispanic girls indicate likelihood versus 70 percent of Caucasian girls. These populations are also more aware of gender barriers in STEM fields, with African American and Hispanic girls significantly more likely to agree with the statement “if I went into a career in STEM, I would worry about sexual harassment in the workplace (African American 30%, Hispanic 28%, Caucasian 19%).”

By ensuring that women and girls receive the exposure, encouragement, and support they need to enter and succeed in STEM fields, this country can benefit from the full range and diversity of its talent. To this end, on April 24, 2012, the White House Council on Women and Girls will host a White House event featuring a panel of trailblazing women in STEM fields. These women will share their experiences and encourage girls to follow in their footsteps—or to blaze trails of their own. This event will also showcase the very first public screening of Girls in STEM, a video with footage of girls who participated in the 2012 White House Science Fair, including Girl Scout team the Flying Monkeys, which invented a new type of prosthetic hand to help a little girl write for the first time. (The girls won the $20,000 FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award from the X Prize Foundation in April 2011; they were also granted a provisional patent.)

Also highlighted at the White House event will be a partnership between Girl Scouts of the USA and Mocha Moms, Inc.—a collaboration to provide mentor and adult volunteer support for IMAGINE Your STEM Future and other Girl Scout/STEM programs as part of Mocha Moms’ "Closing the Gap in Minority Health, Prosperity and Achievement" community service initiative. Girl Scouts and Mocha Moms, Inc. are proud to unite in support of STEM programming for girls.

"America has a huge opportunity for economic growth when looking at girls' interest in science, technology, engineering and math," said Anna Maria Chávez, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA. "It is in this country's best interest to make girls feel supported and capable when it comes to involvement in STEM fields—and anything else they set their minds to and have traditionally been steered away from."

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri on a Mission to Set a Guinness World Record

In St. Louis, FOX 2 News reports that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is adding an exciting new dimension to their annual personal care item drive for families in need this weekend. In an effort to collect more personal care items than ever before and as a way to honor the organization’s centennial, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is on a mission to set a Guinness World Record.

To accomplish this, girls will continue their tradition of going door-to-door in the eastern Missouri region to distribute personal care item bags, but they will also host a “Showering the Community” event. The event takes place April 21 at every Wal-Mart in the eastern Missouri region. Girl Scouts will stand in front of the store in raincoats and galoshes passing out raindrops that list needed items. Customers are encouraged to purchase some of these items as they complete their shopping. There will be barrels available at the store’s exit for drop-off.

Launched in 1998, this community wide event continues to be a cornerstone for local shelters and families in need of donated items. According to Operation Food Search, April Showers provides 99 percent of all personal care items distributed in the region. GSEM attributes this major accomplishment to the generosity of residents within the community.

“Personal care items are not a luxury, they are a necessity,” said Donna K. Martin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “Having good hygiene and maintaining good health are important for a positive self-image and a sense of well-being.”

Girl Scouts will be distributing bags door-to-door throughout the Council’s jurisdiction April 20, 21 and 22. Residents have until April 28 to fill their bags with the listed items. Residents who do not receive a bag on their door have the option to attend the Showering the Community event on April 21 or to purchase pre-packaged bags from Schnucks and Dierbergs during the week of the event. Those who are unable to participate or forget to donate during the week of the event may drop off items to any Dierbergs market through May 6.

Baltimore Girl Scouts Go For Gold

The Baltimore Sun reports that Alyssa Judson and Molly Wheltle, members of Troop 3122 for about a dozen years each who will age out of the Girl Scouts at the end of the school year, earned their Girl Scout Gold Award for completing separate service projects in the fall that aided underprivileged Baltimore City residents.

For her project, Alyssa Judson made a series of presentations to youth in Baltimore City and Baltimore County about homelessness in the city.

Additionally, she collected a dozen blankets and sleeping bags at St. Mark School and worked with Scouts in Troop 984 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church to make six 6- by 6-foot quilts and seven fleece blankets. The blankets and sleeping bags were later donated to Southwest Emergency Services in Arbutus.

Using media both old and new, Wheltle helped make First Communion extra special for 85 girls at the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Highlandtown.

The senior at Mount de Sales Academy advertised her collection drive of First Communion dresses in five parish bulletins, on a Facebook page and website and through word of mouth. By the end of the project, she had far exceeded her goal.

"I was really excited we got 85 dresses. I expected 20," Wheltle said. "I just really like kids, working with people and I really like teaching, so I figured it would work out."

Though she collected and donated 85 dresses, the one Wheltle wore at her First Communion wasn't one of them. Wheltle saved her dress because it had been in the family for years, so she bought another one and donated that, she said.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Celebrate Earth Day at the Franklin Park Zoo

Boston.com reports that yesterday John Linehan, President and CEO of Zoo New England, and Ruth Bramson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, gave speeches about the partnership between their organizations and the joint celebration of Earth Day.

"At the zoo, every day is Earth Day," Linehan said.

The event featured eco-friendly exhibitors, craft tables for making art out of recycled materials, a recycled fashion show, and animal education enrichment activities.

Groundbreaking STEM Summit has backing of Girl Scouts of the USA

America needs a workforce skilled in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and a notable group of companies and organizations is uniting to ensure that the nation gets the message. This summer, thousands of education, policy and industry thought leaders will convene in Dallas, Texas for STEM Solutions 2012, a groundbreaking leadership summit that will bring the best minds and best practices together on a national stage to open the conversation and develop solutions to the STEM skills shortage.

Among the STEM stakeholders who have signed on to get behind the Summit is Girl Scouts of the USA. As one of the conference’s Co-chairs, the Girl Scouts will provide topical input, expertise and support throughout the planning stages, as well as during the conference.

The organizers of STEM Solutions 2012 identified Girl Scouts of the USA as a change maker involved in shaping the economy’s future. The organization’s national program portfolio threads STEM learning throughout its unique leadership journeys and innovative skill-building opportunities in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts explore and develop STEM skills and qualities that will serve them all their lives.

According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study, Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM subjects and the general field of study, and they are drawn by the creative and hands-on aspects of these subjects. Girls are also aware that gender barriers persist as 57 percent of all girls say that if they “went into a STEM career, they’d have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously.”

Girl Scouts of the USA partners with a broad array of key stakeholders such as corporations, foundations, government, academia and nonprofits to access the resources and expertise that enable the organization to design and deliver robust STEM learning experiences for girls. According to Frank Signorello, Manager, STEM Program Initiatives for Girl Scouts of the USA, “By working with STEM Solutions, Girl Scouts will raise awareness and strongly advocate for legislation at the national, state, and local levels to promote STEM education and careers, particularly among girls.”

Event organizers, U.S. News & World Report, Innovate+Educate and STEMConnector™ have enthusiastically welcomed the Girl Scouts’ involvement. “To say we were extremely pleased when Girl Scouts of the USA signed on is an understatement,” said Brian Kelly of U.S. News & World Report. “Their deep-seated commitment to the STEM initiative, as well as their unique expertise and creative approach to finding answers, make them an invaluable addition to our leadership team. We are encouraged by their support and grateful for their many important contributions.”

Anna Maria Chávez Honored at Fast Company's Innovation Uncensored

Anna Maria Chávez was an honored speaker at Fast Company's InnovationUncensored event in New York City on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The event embodies the ethos of brands that are at the forefront of innovation. Fast Company delves into the new ideas and radical creativity that are ripplingacross every industry, measuring their impact to determine how and why they matter.

By participating in Innovation Uncensored, Chávez brings Girl Scouts of the USA to join the ranks of Cisco, CNN, Disney, Eli Lilly, Expert Labs, Foursquare, GE,Hertz, Humanscale, Kraft, Leo Burnett, Microsoft, NBA, NBC, Nike, Nokia, PepsiCo, RIM, Rockwell Group, Sanofi-Aventis, Sportvision, Starbucks, Twitter,Walmart, Wieden+Kennedy, and YouTube.

Geena Davis Supports Report On Positive Images Of Women In Media, as Girl Scout Nets Award at White House Project Gala

Look To The Stars reports that on behalf of the Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, commission co-chairs Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning Actor and Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Deborah Taylor Tate, former FCC Commissioner, released the commission’s first report.

The Elements of Healthy Media will help define what comprises positive and healthy media – from onscreen images, to increased and diverse roles for women, to healthy and meaningful relationships. These definitions lay the groundwork for the commission’s final recommendations, scheduled for release this fall.

“We are proud to come together to release the Elements of Healthy Media to define what our Healthy MEdia Commission finds to be ‘positive and healthy’ portrayals of women and girls,” said Davis and Tate. “The Healthy MEdia Commission supports efforts to increase the number of female characters in the media and ensure that female roles, images, and portrayal are authentic, balanced and healthy. We thank our partners and commission members for helping to advance the national conversation about how to ensure we are creating a positive media environment for all our children.”

Style 1 Media reports that on April 5th, Geena Davis hosted The White House Project's 10th Annual EPIC Awards Gala. As the premier advocate for advancement of women's leadership across business, government, and society in general, The White House Project honors outstanding accomplishments in Enhancing Perceptions of Women in the Culture (EPIC).

Mattel Girls’ Brands Vice President of U.S. Marketing, Cathy Cline spoke about the more than ten-year partnership between Mattel and The White House Project. Cathy Cline presented the Barbie I Can Be Award to Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Emma Contiguglia, for her outstanding community service. At the age of eleven, the poised and articulate Ms. Contiguglia has earned the Girl Scouts Bronze Award. She regularly volunteers at the ASPCA, writes letters to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and has collected and donated school uniforms for girls in Ecuador and Haiti. This summer she plans to serve hungry kids in her community.

Girl Scout Greats: Volunteer Profiles

Gayle Sierens, a play-by-play pioneer, is a Girl Scout volunteer for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. “As the first woman to do play by play for a regular season NFL game, I was hopefully able to prove that football isn’t just a men’s game," states Sierens. "Girls Scouts gave me the confidence to follow my passion for sports and make a mark in the history books. Girl Scouts encourages girls to follow their dreams and believes there is nothing they can’t accomplish.”

Mary Lynn Myers, who invests in girls' futures, is a Girl Scout volunteer for the Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons. “I’ve been a longtime banking executive and served as a White House fellow, but it was as a Girl Scout that I learned about financial literacy through the Cookie Program," she says. "The Girl Scout Cookie Program gives young women the tools they need to be successful business leaders.”

Yvette McGee Brown, a fearless defender of families and children, is a Girl Scout volunteer Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland. “I’ve dealt with children’s justice issues throughout my legal career. Girl Scouts helps girls discover their confidence and develop into young women capable of making their own decisions," she states. "As the first African-American woman to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio, I use the advice I received as a Girl Scout to help others make the right decisions for themselves.”

Christine Benero, a tireless humanitarian, is a Girl Scout alumna and volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Colorado. “As President and CEO of the first United Way in the country, I am inspired by an organization’s ability to motivate its members to uplift their community," she states. "Girl Scouts has taught me to give back to my community and inspired me to make the world a better place.”

Cristina Moreno, an outside-the-box thinker and doer, is a Girl Scout alumna and volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida. “As an architecture major at the University of Florida, I know how important it is for today’s young women to have STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and knowledge in a male-dominated field," states Moreno. "Girl Scouts allowed me to pursue my passion for architecture. Today, I am taking action and giving back to my community by working with Habitat for Humanity.”

Francis Ortiz, a world-class traveler, is a Girl Scout volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. “I have traveled with Girl Scouts to such far-flung locales as the Sangam World Center in Pune, India, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador," she says. "As a volunteer coordinator for the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Award winners, I have accompanied girls on unique trips. I am expanding girls’ horizons by traveling with them beyond what they thought was possible.”

Connie L. Lindsey Launches Make Your Own Badge, Set to Deliver Keynote at National Association of Women Business Owners in Chicago

Connie L. Lindsey, National Board President for Girl Scouts of the USA, is set to deliver the keynote address today at the National Association of Women Business Owners in Chicago annual achievement luncheon with leadership and inspiration being the heart of her speech.

As the top volunteer for Girl Scouts of the USA, Connie has been attracting notice as one of the national spokespersons for the Make Your Own Badge program, and will participate in the Camp CEO program in Chicago this June.

Yahoo News reports that with the Make Your Own Badge program, girls select a skill they want to learn then create the badge for that skill themselves. Girls take part in everything from setting requirements for earning the badges to finalizing designs.

"My passion for leadership and service is a direct result of the strong role models I had as a young girl and as a result of my involvement in Girl Scouting," says Connie L. Lindsey, National President, GSUSA. "By letting girls take the lead, the Make Your Own Badge program will encourage them to develop self-confidence and creativity as they seek to define success for themselves."

Education News reports that the creation of the Make Your Own Badge program started with girls. In focus groups, girls exhibited substantial interest in the Make Your Own Badge concept. Based on that interest, GSUSA developed the program and included it in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting, the guide a result of the organization's recent overhaul of its badge programs. Badges now come in categories: Legacy, Financial Literacy, Cookie Business, Skill Building, and Make Your Own. There are also specialty awards such as My Promise, My Faith, which helps a girl understand and celebrate the commonalities between her faith and the Girl Scout Law. The news has also been shared by Good News Planet and girlworks.

Anna Maria Chávez and Girl Scouts Participate in Martha Stewart Taping

In New Jersey, The Cranford Patch reports that Anna Maria Chávez, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA, and area Girl Scouts recently attended a taping of the Martha Stewart Living show in New York. The episode celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America.

During the show, one of the girls was selected to join Martha for an on-air cooking segment. The show is set to air in early May—Stay tuned for details!

AT&T Inspires "IMAGINE Yourself, Alabama"

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Blog reports that Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama and AT&T announced a new program to help 500 Birmingham and Huntsville high school girls gain interest in STEM classes and future careers.

The local initiative, called “IMAGINE Yourself, Alabama,” is funded through an AT&T Aspire contribution designed to expose young women to a variety of career options in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will receive a $45,000 grant to conduct the program from November 2011 through summer 2012 and is one of 18 councils, selected through a national competitive grant process, to participate.

Girl Scouts from the Birmingham area recently visited the Dauphin Island Sea Lab near Mobile, Alabama.

During their time on the island, the girls explored the Mobile Bay during a two-hour boat excursion and learned about the biology, ecology and diversity of the bay’s ecosystem. They also participated in a touch lab and squid dissection, and took a tour of the lab’s Estuarium.

Barbara Murphy-Warrington, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York, Talks Girl Scouts 100th

In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts, Barbara Murphy-Warrington, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York, sat down with New York's CBS 2′s Chris Wragge to discuss this milestone.

Meet Michigan's Mackinac Island Honor Scouts

In Michigan, The Saline Patch reports that each summer, Mackinac Island Honor Scouts, an elite corps of patriotic Girl Scouts, conduct daily flag ceremonies on Mackinac Island with military precision, fulfilling the Girl Scout Promise “to serve my country.”

Without a practice ground, Mackinac Island Honor Scouts in Patrol 7901 had no way to practice synchronizing the raising and lowering of the flags along the island’s “Avenue of Flags.” Because they are Girl Scouts, the girls took action to solve that problem. They purchased their own Avenue of Flags and had those flagpoles installed at a practice field at Camp Linden, the resident camp of Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan in Livingston County. The girls conducted bottle and can drives, held garage sales, and sold concessions at University of Michigan football and basketball games.

Thanks to their hard work and the support of the Pinckney-Hamburg-Lakeland Service Area Girl Scouts, Mackinac Island Honor Scouts from Patrol 7901 can now properly show the flag of our country the honor it deserves. The Avenue of Flags at Camp Linden will also inspire patriotism in the thousands of girls and families who camp there each summer.

“When I first applied to become a Mackinac Island Honor Scout I thought it was just another cool Girl Scout camping experience,” said Allison Collins, of Saline, “but it is so much more. It’s a great way to serve our country and the experience of being in the corps teaches you so much. You learn how to conduct yourself professionally, how to manage conflict, how to deal with all kinds of people. We are like 60 sisters, living in the scout barracks and working together."

Girl Scouts have been performing flag ceremonies and serving as tour guides on Mackinac Island since 1974, when the wife of then Governor William Milliken made it possible for girls to join the Boy Scouts, who had been working there since 1929. Four patrols of 15 girls each raise and lower the island’s 28 flags each day. The girls also stand at attention at various stations around Fort Mackinac, answering tourists’ questions about the history of the fort. When not on tour guide or flag duty, the girls clean trails in the national park and paint. Last summer, one group re-stained the scout barracks.

Costa Rica Outward Bound Student Testimonial - Troop 4006

Outward Bound is an international, non-profit, independent, outdoor education organization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year. Outward Bound programs aim to foster the personal growth and social skills of participants by using challenging expeditions in the outdoors.

Current Girl Scouts age 13 and older can participate in Costa Rica Outward Bound courses through the Girl Scouts of the USA destinations program.

Outward Bound inspires personal development and growth through wilderness-based adventure activities. Scouts learn about teamwork and leadership, boost their self-confidence, participate in meaningful service projects, learn new skills and make friends from all over. Girls are also exposed to Central American language and culture throughout their course experience.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Brain STEM

Jan Barker, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, reports for Michigan's Dexter Patch that "Girls are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), but they don't consider them to be their first choice, according to a recent study by the Girl Scout Research Institute. The GSRI study tells us that girls know they are smart enough to pursue a STEM field, but don't know enough about available careers. That's where Girl Scouting comes in."

The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan recently created a program called Brain STEM. Through Brain STEM, girls have fun learning to design a dome with gumdrops, create batteries out of food, build a rocket, fix broken machines, play equation bingo and make a car that runs on rubber bands. The girls also go on field trips to learn more about these careers and what it takes to land jobs. Girls realize they can study science, technology, engineering and math in college.

According to the Girl Scout Research Institute study Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 74 percent of girls — and even higher percentages of African-American and Hispanic girls — say they’re interested in the so-called STEM fields of science, technology, math, and engineering. The trick is to break professions into their component parts. Girls who are interested in STEM want to know how things work. They like solving puzzles and problems. They want to understand the natural world.

The hard part is making the conversion from childhood interest into grown-up careers. Today, women are well-represented in medicine, but they earn only 20 percent of bachelors degrees in engineering, computer science, and physics. Only a quarter of the jobs in STEM fields nationwide — and 11 percent of engineering jobs — are held by women.

Art Pays off for Nebraska Girl Scouts

Nebraska's North Platte Telegraph reports that Girl Scouts from the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska teamed up with local artists to learn how to use various artistic skills, culminating in the "artVenture" event with proceeds from the auction going to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which helps girls attend camp, said Jennifer Schall, fund development specialist for the Girl Scouts. 130 pieces of art from Girl Scouts as well as the artists were up for auction Saturday.

Girl Scout Elizabeth Earnest, 16, of Benkelman, said she worked with Ray Walters on her line drawing of a girl on a park bench.

"It took about two weeks to do, I've always liked feathered hats that ladies used to wear and the fancy dresses," she said. "I learned how to take solid lines out of a picture and make it look more realistic."

The program, which area leaders began to work on in the fall of 2011, helped girls learn art skills, and acted as a fundraiser.

Anna Maria Chávez Kicks off Volunteer Appreciation Week by Thanking all Girl Scout Volunteers!

Girl Scouts of the USA is kicking off Volunteer Appreciation Week by thanking all of our volunteers for volunteering for girls. Without a paycheck and without any fanfare, Girl Scout volunteers devote themselves to girl leadership. They put in long hours, stay patient as girls lead their own activities, and bring fun and spirit to everything girls do. Girl Scout volunteers are making a difference in the world, one girl at a time.

Anna Maria Chávez, Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA, filmed a video, personally thanking all Girl Scout volunteers. Chávez acknowledges the over 800,000 Girl Scout volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure the mission of Girl Scouting comes to life. In its 100th anniversary year, Girl Scouts of the USA has affirmed its unwavering commitment to girls’ leadership with the launch of ToGetHerThere, the largest, boldest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls’ leadership in the nation’s history. The multi-year effort will seek to create balanced leadership—the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society—within one generation. ToGetHerThere will be made possible by volunteers.

Volunteer Appreciation Week is set aside especially for volunteers. Girl Scouts pay tribute to the volunteers who help girls make the world a better place.

Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls Releases "Elements of Healthy Media" Today!

For generations, media has had the power to inspire, educate, and entertain us. In recent years, this power has been bolstered by a wave of new technology that has enabled media to be immediate, interactive, and drastically more personal. This transformational shift in how we consume our media is literally changing the world.

For today’s youth, this means access to more media in more ways; research shows that kids consume upwards of 10 hours of recreational media a day! And this increased media consumption has consequences. The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) has found that 9 in 10 girls say the fashion industry (89%) and/or the media (88%) place(s) a lot of pressure on teenage girls to be thin. Sixty percent say they compare their bodies to fashion models, and 32 percent of girls admit to starving themselves or refusing to eat as a strategy to lose weight. Clearly, messages and images in the media—particularly those regarding women and girls—are impacting girls’ confidence, body image, relationships, and leadership aspirations.

And it’s not just girls; boys are affected, too. Young boys’ expectations, realistic or not, of female bodies and women’s roles in society are shaped in large part by the media they consume—and unfortunately, negative, unbalanced portrayals of women and girls in the media often win out over more positive alternatives. As a member of Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, a coalition developing and sharing concrete recommendations for promoting healthy images in the media, Girl Scouts of the USA is working to promote the positive.

Co-chaired by Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis and former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, our commission seeks to ensure that female roles, images, and portrayals are authentic, balanced, and healthy. The Healthy MEdia Commission was born out of a partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and the Creative Coalition (TCC), with the aim to create a blueprint for identifying and defining “healthy media’” and how can we achieve it.

Today marks the release of the Elements of Healthy Media, the first part of our report that elaborates on what we hope to achieve. Using research from Girl Scouts of the USA, the American Psychological Association, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, experts in the field of media and youth development—and the voices of girls themselves—the Healthy MEdia Commission has come up with suggestions for providing balanced, authentic depictions of women and girls. In brief, we believe that all forms of media should strive to increase representations of:

• Healthy body images
• Active and diverse female characters
• Equal and healthy relationships
• Increased number of roles for women and girls

You can read the full report here.

The intent of these specified elements is not to create a one-size-fits-all definition of healthy media or to create any sort of grading system, but rather to provide examples and inspire both creators and consumers.

Texas Junior League Partners with Girl Scouts to Deliver STEM Programming

In Texas, KBTX TV reports that more than 80 Girl Scouts were at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Saturday for the second annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Conference.

The Girl Scouts scouts learned about a range of careers including crime scene investigation, oceanography, gemology, and even visual arts and animation.

“The program is really a partnership of the Girl Scouts of Central Texas the Junior League of Bryan-College Station and the Texas A&M Health Science Center and really the event couldn’t happen if we didn’t have all three of those players," said Aimee Smith, Junior League of Bryan-College Station STEM Conference Chair.

"We just encourage the girls and the community to support the things that we're doing to give girls that opportunity to build those skills in those areas," said Etta Moore, Girl Scouts of Central Texas CEO.

The Junior League of Bryan - College Station helped facilitate the event to give girls exposure to careers historically dominated by men.

Help Be the Director Win a Webby Award—Vote Now!

Girl Scouts for Girls’ Be the Director has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Charitable Organizations/Non-profit category.

Help is needed to win! Vote for Be the Director to win a People’s Voice Award in the Charitable Organizations/Non-profit category. Other nominees include Organizations/Non-profit category include Google’s Messages from Japan Campaign, Amnesty International and Sesame Street. You can vote once per day.

Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising & media, online film & video, and mobile & apps.

When girls play Be the Director, they sit in a place few women are found in Hollywood -- the director’s chair. They make the choices about wardrobe, camera angles, script, sound design and even how the actors deliver their lines on a virtual film set.

At the end of the experience, girls can watch a movie customized by the decisions they have made and highlighting the choices shape every piece of media they consume -- delivering a hands-on lesson in media literacy.

Make sure you Vote for Be the Director for a People’s Voice Award in the Charitable Organizations/Non-profit category!

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Names Rose González Pérez as 12th CEO

After an extensive national search, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) has selected Rose González Pérez to serve as its 12th chief executive officer effective immediately.

The nine-person selection committee took six months to screen and interview hundreds of qualified candidates from across the country, and made its recommendation to GSSWT’s board of directors at a special meeting earlier this week. “Pérez has been a leader of the exceptional success this council has experienced in recent years,” says Jackie L. Gorman, board chair for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, “and I am confident she has the vision and skills to continue leading this organization through its unprecedented transformation.”

Prior to being named chief executive officer for GSSWT, Pérez served in the interim position following the departure of then-CEO, Anna Maria Chávez, who accepted the role of CEO for Girl Scouting’s national organization in August 2011.

Serving as only the 12th CEO in the regional council’s 88-year history is the culmination of more than 20 years of leadership roles within the Girl Scout organization, making Pérez an expert in membership services, program delivery, fund development, community relations and administration. Pérez joins the elite ranks of former council CEOs, including Mrs. Joe H. (Etta) Ward (1948-1969), as well as Kathy Cloninger (1987-1991) and Anna Maria Chávez (2009-2011) who both became chief executive officer of the national organization following their tenure in San Antonio.

A former small business owner in her hometown of Mathis, Texas, Pérez holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a B.S. in Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and a Certification in Non-profit Management from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. An advocate for cancer awareness and research, Pérez has received numerous awards for her fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

On being named the region’s new CEO, Pérez says, “I am so proud to be selected. This organization has afforded me the opportunity to grow as an educator, professional, mentor, mother, advocate and leader. I look forward to leading the best team of volunteers and staff in the country to reach more girls than ever before and further the mission of Girl Scouts to build girls of courage, confidence and character.”

New Book Shares Leadership Lessons from 100 Years of the Girl Scouts

Reuters reports that Girl Scouts of the USA has shaped the lives of more than 59 million alumnae alive today, among them many of our nation’s female leaders.

There is no other organization remotely comparable in size, experience, and resources devoted to developing leadership in girls. Kathy Cloninger, CEO Emeritus of Girl Scouts of the USA, tells its story in the new book Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons from 100 Years of the Girl Scouts.

Tough Cookies addresses one of our nation’s most underused resources: girls, and the women they ultimately can become. Kathy Cloninger makes a convincing case for the enormous untapped potential of America’s girls and issues a ringing call to action to girls, boys, parents, the business community, and the public to help females make a better, stronger, and more prosperous future for all.

Cloninger underlines her point with two very personal transformation stories. Cloninger, the first member of her family to attend college, was originally advised by her high-school counselor to set her sights on secretarial school. However, her instincts led to college, then to graduate school, to an extremely successful non-profit career, and finally to her appointment as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA.

The other story is that of an iconic but fading American institution that under Cloninger’s galvanizing leadership transformed itself into an envied and widely imitated model of nonprofit management excellence. She renewed and revitalized the organization’s commitment to developing girls' leadership capabilities, and implemented a new strategic business plan affecting every major area of organizational activity: programs, volunteerism, brand, funding, and structure/governance.

In its 100th anniversary year, Girl Scouts of the USA has affirmed its unwavering commitment to girls’ leadership with the launch of ToGetHerThere, the largest, boldest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls’ leadership in the nation’s history. The multi-year effort will seek to create balanced leadership—the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society—within one generation.

All proceeds from Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons from 100 Years of the Girl Scouts go to ToGetHerThere.

Approximately one in every two adult women (49%) in the U.S. has at some point been a member of Girl Scouts, with the average length of time spent in Girl Scouts four years. According to the newly released Girl Scout Research Institute report Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, women who were Girl Scouts as children display significantly more positive life outcomes than do non-Girl Scout alumnae, outcomes that include perceptions of self, volunteerism and community work, civic engagement, education, income, and socioeconomic status.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Honor Chelsea Clinton at Forever Green Gala

The Boston Globe reports that The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts celebrated the organization’s first century by hosting the Forever Green Gala on March 28 at the Fairmount Copley Plaza hotel.

“The Forever Green Gala is green for sustainability of the organization,” said Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts CEO Ruth Bramson. “It is green for conservation of the planet, and it is green for raising money to support the movement. All the money raised today will go to girls who can’t afford to go to Girl Scout camp.”

Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick and City of Boston First Lady Angela Menino presented proclamations issued by Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino declaring March 29 as “Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Day.”

U.S. Secretary of State and Girl Scout alumna Hillary Clinton sent her regards via video. “I learned my first lessons in leadership as a Girl Scout, and the values I learned are the values I still maintain,” she said.

Girl Scout alumna and guest of honor Chelsea Clinton followed her mother’s video, speaking to the guests from the stage and later participating in a question and answer session with a few Girl Scouts. “I learned a few core lessons as a Brownie, one of those being the value of teamwork and everything that we girls can do when we work together,” said the younger Clinton. In other news, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been in the headlines lately for the wildly popular Texts From Hilary meme.