Anna Maria Chávez Talks About the Next 100 Years

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that Anna Maria Chávez, chief executive of the Girl Scouts of the USA, is leading the organization in celebrating its 100th anniversary this year—and looking ahead to its future.

And as she works to keep a century-old organization relevant to a new generation, Ms. Chávez says she is also focusing on working to attract new adult supporters.

“We need to raise awareness with adults around investing in girls,” she says.

The organization is in a $1-billion campaign to raise money for leadership programs for girls and an effort called ToGetHerThere to raise awareness about girls’ causes.

Ms. Chávez says she is an example of how investing in her organization pays off. The lessons she learned in Girl Scouts as a 10-year-old influenced her entire career.

Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Exhibit at State Fair of Texas is Tech Savvy

The Dallas Morning News reports that one-hundred years have passed since Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah, Georgia, and this fall, Dallas will play an instrumental role in propelling the organization into its second century. The State Fair of Texas will provide a hub of education, preservation, and empowerment by hosting the Girl Scout 100th Anniversary Experience in the Hall of State from September 28 through October 21.

Free with general admission at the fair, the tech savvy exhibit was conceived by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and is sponsored by Dallas-based AT&T. Uptown’s Corporate Magic designed and produced the interactive exhibit, sparing no bells or whistles for its glimmering electronic campfires, computer-generated virtual troops, and brightly designed giant cookie boxes. But, the future-focused organization has not forgotten its past. Well-aligned to the overarching Girl Scouts ethos, the exhibit melds historical artifact with digital information, emphasizing the group’s sense of resourceful independence and progressive attitude toward the role of science and technology.

To this end, visitors are encouraged to download a special Girl Scout app, compatible with both iPhone and Android. With it, they can scan QR codes found not only throughout the exhibit, but also around Fair Park. The adventure – the “Big Texpediation” – is available in both English and Spanish and can be customized for varying age-levels. It leads guests all around the fairgrounds to solve riddles, find clues, learn trivia, and connect through social media. Upon completion, participants are awarded a special patch for their courage and cleverness.

Commitment to science and technology is particularly crucial to the future of the organization. GSNETX Chief Program Officer Gwyneth Lloyd said, “Girl Scouts encourages and empowers young women to visualize themselves as tomorrow’s leaders. That’s where the careers of the future are, so we want girls to know they don’t have to sit at the back of the classroom and be shy anymore.”

On a national level, the organization has created programs like the STEM Center of Excellence which provides access to science labs and art studios. An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, STEM activities include extracting DNA from bananas, creating their own compost, examining with microscopes, playing around with cameras, and even learning to clean up oil spills.

Declaring 2012 the “Year of the Girl,” the organization has refocused its emphasis on courage and personal ownership, with a reinvigorated push toward financial literacy, healthy living, and the environment. “In the 21st century, we want girls to finally own the language of leadership,” Lloyd said. “More than 80 percent of women small business owners are Girl Scout alumnae, and we want those numbers reflected in engineering, mathematics, and medicine.”

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Honors 100 Women of Influence

In Toledo, OH, WNWO TV reports that Girl Scouts of Western Ohio paid tribute to 100 local leaders Thursday for their contributions and influence to the organization.

The awards reception took place at Owens Corning Headquarters in downtown Toledo. The event coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Honorees were nominated in the categories of Trailblazers, Advocates, Leaders of Promise, and Honor Keepers. The distinguished 100 were selected based on how they exemplify leadership, diversity, and spirit of the Girl Scout Movement.

Honoree Kristine Hoffman said, "It's been a great long-term experience for me with the Girl Scouts." Hoffman, who has served on the Girl Scouts Board of Trustees for 15 years, added, "Tonight is just a wonderful celebration of a hundred women who have all made a difference in one way or another in our community." 

CEO for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Roni Luckenbill offered statistics to highlight the reach of the Girl Scouts. "Eighty percent of female business owners in the United States were Girl Scouts," she exclaimed. Luckenbill continued, "One hundred percent, every female astronaut, who has ever flown in space, was a Girl Scout."

Girl Scout Reunion 50 Years in the Making

Vermont's WCAX - TV reports that fifty years ago, a farmer's field in Ferrisburgh was full of tents and 10,000 teenage girls.

"What I thought was so wonderful is that there were girls from all over who were doing what I love to do. There was camping and crafts and singing, they sang all the time, and they seemed to be having such a great time," said Barbara Martin of the Girl Scout Council of Vermont.

Each of the 50 states and many different countries sent Girl Scout representatives to a Roundup. It was 12 days of living on the land and learning from one another. Barbara Servis, who now lives in Vermont, came from California.

"And we had the tradition of Spanish speaking and we were called las cacioneres-- the singers -- because we sang all the time. And 50 years later we still sing," she said.

This week, 180 women from all over the world made a pilgrimage back to that farm, what is now Button Bay State Park.

WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

More Dads are Taking Girl Scouts Volunteer Roles

The Girl Scouts began 100 years ago with a goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the outdoors.

In Texas, the San Angelo Standard-Times reports that today, Girl Scouts is a diverse organization, providing leadership opportunities to its membership of 3.2 million girls and adult volunteers, with more than 59 million alumnae in the U.S.

While the organization is predominantly female, the organization has a few male volunteers and employees.

San Angelo's Joe Grossheim started as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts 17 years ago when his oldest daughter, Gina, was in her first year as a Girl Scout Junior. With two daughters in Girl Scouts, Grossheim knew he was not making a short-term investment. But when his third daughter, Bailee, was born eight years ago, he realized he had a few more years of Girl Scouts ahead of him.

"I thought I was going to be done; then Bailee came along," he said.

Having his daughters be part of an organization has been beneficial, he said.

"Kids are going to make mistakes, but if they've had some leadership experience, it can make a difference," he said. "If you can make a difference in even one girl's life, to me, it's worth all the time and effort."

A fairly new volunteer, Tom Hahn, has been helping the troop his daughter, Emily, belongs to for the past several years.

As the troop's cookie coordinator, he likened the selection of cookie booths to the NFL draft, said James Pidgeon, community development executive (west) for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.

"It was fun to watch him," Pidgeon said, "watching him come to understand the strategy of picking the right location for cookie booths, at peak times."

Talk of the Town: Girls Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar

When the 2013 Girl Scout commemorative silver dollars come rolling off the presses of the United States Mint, will the sales process for the 350,000 available coins attract more women and girls to what has historically been a male-dominated hobby?

Numismatic News posed the question to Anna Maria Chávez, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA in a telephone interview Sept. 17.

“That’s a very, very interesting question you raise. A lot of it is girls aren’t exposed to it at an early age,” she explained, as once was the case with science and math in school.

“We are trying to expose more and more girls to coin collecting ... at its basic essence, coin collecting is saving money.”

She pointed out that 13 of the current 136 badges given by the Girl Scouts are financial literacy badges, and she thought the seeds of an interest in coin collecting could be planted there, starting with examining coins in piggy banks.

Chávez said the upcoming Girl Scout silver dollar will be a “great way to reach our 3.2 million members. (It will) show them they are now part of the currency of the country.”

And the program will acquaint male collectors with the fact that there are current or former Girl Scouts in their lives as daughters, wives, mothers, etc.

“By purchasing this coin, they are investing in an organization that for 100 years has invested in girls and women.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Girl Scouts of the USA has unveiled a U.S. Mint-designed commemorative coin honoring 100 years of the organization.

It is the first U.S. Mint coin to honor the New York-based scouting group.

It features three Girl Scouts of different backgrounds on one side and the group's trefoil logo on the other. It also contains the inscription Courage, Confidence, Character.

About 350,000 of the silver dollar coins will be printed. They'll be available in 2013. A $10 surcharge from the sale of each coin will be paid to the Girl Scouts for program development.

President Barack Obama signed legislation authorizing the coin in 2009.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast Names New CEO

In Milwaukee, WI, The Business Journal reports that Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast announced Monday that Christy Brown, currently vice chancellor of finance and administrative affairs for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has been appointed as its chief executive officer.

Brown replaces Molly Fuller, who resigned in May after leading the organization for four years. Brown will officially assume her new role Oct. 30.

“Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls with a trailblazing legacy that spans 100 years,” Brown said in a written statement. “I’m eager to work with our girl members, volunteers, board of directors and staff as the organization embarks on a new century of empowering girls to take the lead in their own lives and make a difference in their communities and across the world.”

Brown has held her UWM post since 2007, serving as the university’s CFO, leading all non-academic operations and acting as the University of Wisconsin System’s state liaison for business and finance issues. She previously served as executive vice president and general counsel at Milwaukee Area Technical College from 2002 to 2007, and has also worked at the South East Region of Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper Michigan and at Michael, Best & Friedrich LLP in Milwaukee.

“We are confident in Christy’s abilities to lead our organization into its second century,” said Joan Shafer, chair of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast search committee and senior vice president of customer services at We Energies. “She exemplifies the leadership qualities that we strive to teach all of our girls, and she is going to be an inspiration to all girls and a strong advocate on their behalf.”

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast is ranked fourth in the nation for market share among 112 Girl Scout councils, according to a press release. Recent initiatives include efforts around science, technology, engineering and math advocacy, urban outreach and Latina outreach.

Watch Now! Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Unveiled

Designs for the 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar were unveiled over the weekend by Girl Scouts of the USA National President Connie L. Lindsey and Chief Executive Officer Anna Maria Chávez before hundreds of guests at the100th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview and Dinner Under The Stars hosted by Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.  The commemorative coin, authorized by Public Law 111-86, honors the 100th anniversary of the organization established on March 12, 1912, by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia.

Check out the official announcement below!

Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Program Designs Announced

Designs for the 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar were unveiled tonight by Girl Scouts of the USA National President Connie L. Lindsey and Chief Executive Officer Anna Maria Chávez before hundreds of guests at the100th Anniversary Experience Exhibition Preview and Dinner Under The Stars hosted by Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.  The commemorative coin, authorized by Public Law 111-86, honors the 100th anniversary of the organization established on March 12, 1912, by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. 


The obverse (heads side) design, by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Barbara Fox, depicts three girls who represent the different ages and the diversity of the Girls Scouts of the USA.  Inscriptions include COURAGE, CONFIDENCE and CHARACTER, key elements of the Girl Scouts mission statement.  Additional inscriptions are 2013, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.  The 100th anniversary Trefoil symbol signifies its centennial anniversary.  United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill will execute the obverse design.  

The reverse (tails side) design, by AIP Associate Designer Chris Costello, depicts the iconic Trefoil/profiles symbol of the Girl Scouts of the USA with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, $1 and GIRL SCOUTS. United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna will execute the reverse design.

As authorized, the United States Mint will produce up to 350,000 coins in 90 percent silver.  The legal tender coin, which will have a face value of $1, will be available in both proof and uncirculated qualities.  Surcharges collected from coin sales are authorized to be paid to the Girl Scouts of the USA, which will make funds available for Girl Scout program development and delivery.  The United States Mint expects the coins to be available for purchase early in 2013.    

The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792.  This year marks the bureau's 220th anniversary.  The United States Mint is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces numismatic products including proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.  The United States Mint's numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.

Weekend Adventures: Get Lost in the Girl Scouts Corn Maze!

Johnston City, Illinois, is a small town located about five hours from Chicago and two hours from St. Louis, but what the town lacks in cosmopolitan proximity it more than makes up for with its own brand of entertainment. Every year fall fun is found at Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch, a 35-acre farm that boasts everything from hayrides and bounce castles to corn cannons (and yes, that is a cannon that shoots ears of corn) and this year’s Girl Scouts-themed corn maze! Want to get in on the fun? Well, we have all the details.

Aerial View of the Girl Scouts Corn Maze. Courtesy of WSIL-TV

The Girl Scouts Corn Maze is quite the 100th anniversary-themed adventure; opening on September 22, the maze can be visited through to October 31, which is also Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday! Girl Scout troops looking to join in on the fun can hop on a hayride, use the fire pits and picnic tables out back, and go through the corn maze together, all for $75. To sign up as a group, call Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch office at 618-983-8676.

If you’re not going in a group, the corn maze is $5 for ages 10 and older; $3 for kids 5 to 9; free for children under 5. It's open 9am to dark.Parking is free, and for those uninterested in navigating the maze, there’s no charge to enter the farm, which means you can take in the pretty fall foliage for free! Plan your trip to Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch, located at 15020 Pumpkin Patch Road, Johnston City, IL 62951. Share your experience and pictures with us on Twitter and Facebook! 

A Thank You From US Troops

Behind the Scenes: Jobs @ GSUSA

Once a month, we show how our readers a behind-the-scenes look at our work here at Girl Scouts' national headquarters. In each profile, we spotlight employees from different departments and the work they do to serve our 3.2 million members. This month our Social Media Intern, Elizabeth Venere, interviewed Director of Interactive Marketing, Philip Bae.

When GSUSA sends an email to volunteers, makes changes to the website, posts on Facebook, or tweets about what’s going on in the Girl Scout world, Philip Bae is behind the scenes. As Interim Director of Interactive Marketing, Philip oversees GSUSA’s digital channels. That means his team manages three different Girl Scout websites, Girl Scouts’ social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and the blog), monthly email newsletters, and even the Girl Scout cookie iPhone and Android apps. Recently, the team helped launch our cause site, ToGetHereThere.org, and over the next several months, Philip and his team will be updating the site’s design and content and creating emails to get site visitors involved in the cause.

Philip’s credential’s are stellar: he graduated from the City University of New York (Queens College) with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and went on to Harvard University for a master’s degree in Information Technology and Software Engineering. But his first love is books. With a long daily commute, Philip is always reading. He values the power books have to help people define and refine their lives and is constantly searching for new books on a variety of subjects—from software engineering to philosophy—that motivate him.

At work, the collaboration within the Interactive Marketing team keeps Philip motivated, day to day. He describes the team as a group of committed, hard-working, candid individuals who not only are great at what they do, but also know how to have fun doing it. Philip spends his days working to ensure his team has everything they need to perform their jobs, and tries to create an environment where they can depend on and learn from each other. Philip believes the work his team does will help GSUSA build membership, better serve girl and adult members, and help girls become their best selves!

Elizabeth Venere is not only our social media intern, but also a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient entering her junior year of college this fall. She provides GSUSA with awesome social media content.

Georgia Girl Scout Event Will Focus on Healthy Relationships

Georgia's WTVM TV 9 reports that relational aggression – bullying, cyber-bullying, destructive relationships – is a serious issue facing girls today.  Dealing successfully with these issues begins with each girl's understanding of her own value.

More than 90 Girl Scouts will gather at Columbus State University on Saturday September 22 for the program "I am a G.I.F.T.  (Gorgeous, Intelligent, Fabulous, Talented)."

Girl Scouts in 7th through 12th grades will explore healthy relationships and learn how to identify and avoid unhealthy ones during the program, which is funded by the Verizon Foundation.

Sharon Saffold, of Sharon Saffold Live will be the guest speaker. As one of eight children, Saffold's early life challenges included being a victim of abuse, kidnapping and growing up in foster homes.

In her presentation, Saffold relies on real-life experiences and simple proven techniques to teach people how to reach their potential and make the impossible possible. She is also the co-author of Cake and Combat Boots.

Centennial on the Concho Canoe Race a Hit in Texas

In Texas, the San Angelo Standard-Times reports that canoes, paddles, and life jackets were just a few of the ingredients for the recipe to this year's Girl Scout canoe race.

One of the Girl Scouts' centennial celebrations this year, the race was dubbed "Centennial on the Concho," and included a duck-themed festival in addition to the regular canoe race activities. Decorating ducks, a Nerf duck shoot and duck regatta races were some of the events that peppered the open field beside the park, as racers were preparing to paddle on the river.

This was the 22nd year the canoe races have been held in San Angelo, and the third year the Boy Scouts have participated in the canoe races. The partnership is one Rick Reeve, head scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts, and James Pidgeon, community development executive-west for the Girl Scouts of Central Texas, believe adds to the success of the event.

"If it wasn't for their being a part of it, it wouldn't have been the success that it was," Pidgeon said. "It was nice to see them there."

The canoe races serve several purposes for the Girl Scouts, reaching more audience than a typical Girl Scout event.

"This kind of event is very unique," said Angie McFarland, fund development director for GSCTX. "It's a fundraising event, a program event, for Girl Scouts and a community service event for the different organizations that come out to help. We work with others in the community while raising awareness for the Girl Scouts."

Fifteen heats made up of girls partnering with each other in the races, as well as other community organizations and business sponsors, helped teach the girls the importance of working together in a friendly competition.

"One of the things Girl Scouts has to do if they're going to remain successful is maintain a presence in the community," said Lolis Garcia-Baab, director of marketing and communication for Girl Scouts of Central Texas.

"In order to serve every girl, everywhere, we have to stay connected to the community, and keep our profile out there."

Coming Soon: Girl Scouts of Rhode Island Chorus

Rhode Island's Woonsocket Patch reports that Girl Scouts from all over Rhode Island are anxiously awaiting the start of the new Girl Scouts of Rhode Island Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Krystle Poirier, B.M., and Assistant Director Mrs. Marilyn Ross.

Girl Scouts in grades 5-12 from all across Rhode Island will be coming together to form an audition based chorus that will service Rhode Island residents. While sharing the gift of music with others, the girls will also be upholding the Girl Scout Promise and Law by learning leadership skills, responsibility, and developing courage and character.

The chorus will be available to sing for organizations such as government events, sporting events, community organizations, memorials, and other requested events later in the school year. The chorus will also be leading community sing along and other events through Girl Scouts of Rhode Island during the year.

Nebraska Girl Scouts Plant Rain Garden

Nebraska's Beatrice Daily Sun reports that Girl Scouts recently planted a rain garden at the Carnegie building. The project was made possible thanks to a UPS Foundation award. The UPS and Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grant was for $5,000, w hich was used to plant the garden on the north side of the building that houses the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, Gage County Tourism and Gage Area Growth Enterprise (NGage).

This is the first rain garden planted on public property in Beatrice. The Rain Garden will help to solve a water drain problem for the 108 year old historic Carnegie building and will serve as an outdoor educational center for others wishing to establish their own rain garden in the community.

On September 12, 12 girls and two adults from Girl Scout Spirit of Nebraska Troop 20054 and Troop 20018 learned about the benefits of rain gardens and helped finish planting the native plants in the rain.

This is the fifth annual UPS/Keep America Beautiful community improvement grant program, which provides support for recycling, beautification, community greening, litter prevention and waste reduction initiatives across the country. This year’s grant awards exceeded $150,000 for 66 total projects.

“We are thrilled to be one of 66 projects chosen nationwide,” said Linda Grell, executive director of Keep Beatrice Beautiful. “There are over 550 Keep America Beautiful affiliates nationwide, so this award is truly an honor to receive."

Rain gardens are effective in removing up to 90 percent of nutrients and chemicals and up to 80 percent of sediments from the rainwater runoff.

As a part of the 100th Anniversary Take Action Project Girl Scouts Forever Green, Girl Scouts are building rain gardens, which are planted depressions filled with native plants that capture and absorb storm water and serve as functional gardens.

Girl Scouts Launch App Celebrating State Fair of Texas

The Dallas Business Journal reports that The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has launched a mobile app that guides users on an interactive experience through the State Fair of Texas.

The app, called BIG TEXpedition, launched today, two weeks before the start of the state fair, which runs from from Sept. 28 through Oct. 21. The app celebrates Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary.

Girl Scouts and all fairgoers can download the free, interactive app that takes participants through the fair by using riddles, clues, GPS, trivia, the phone’s camera, social media and more. As app users enter the various fair locations, they will be challenged with age-appropriate questions relating to the Girl Scouts and the state fair. After completing the expedition, participants will receive a completion screen directing them to meet up with Girl Scout representatives in the historic Hall of State to receive a patch for completing the BIG TEXpedition.

“We want Girl Scouts and alumnae from across the country to come, celebrate the 100th anniversary and enjoy the State Fair of Texas with us," said Colleen Walker, CEO for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.

The “BIG TEXpedition” app will also have a built-in QR code scanner for use when exploring the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Experience in the Hall of State by providing supplementary audio, video and photos.

The mobile app, developed by SpeakCreative, will have English and Spanish language support and will be available for iPhone and Android devices.

Girl Scout Turns Teacher's Death Into Public Awareness Campaign

In Tennessee, The Leaf Chronicle reports that Girl Scout Skylar Hughes is turning a very tragic situation into a public awareness campaign while working toward earning her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Skylar's former Middle School physical education teacher Kathryn “Katy” Elizabeth Over and her husband Jonathan Michael Over died along with three others – Timothy Bryan Stone, James Franklin Wall II and Wall’s girlfriend Allison Elizabeth Bagwell-Wyatt – in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident while attending last year’s Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run at the Clarksville Speedway.

All five were found dead in a recreational vehicle the Sunday morning of the festival weekend. The Tennessee medical examiner found over 45 percent carbon monoxide saturation levels in their blood.

Skylar started in on her research, which came mainly from the Centers for Disease Control. Skylar said she made posters of pictures and charts and a lime green flier, “which was Katy’s favorite color.”

The carbon monoxide awareness flier talks about the “invisible killer,” how it is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas. It explains what can cause the gas, shows a chart of a home and where the potential sources are, and finally what you can do to prevent and be aware of gases. Skylar presented these fliers at Green Day Clarksville.

Next, she got in touch with Roy Gregory, Executive Director of University Advancement at Austin Peay State University, and through Gregory and her mother, she set up a scholarship for those wanting to go into health and human performance as a career – Katy’s degree.

Skylar eventually got in touch with Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, state Rep. Joe Pitts and state Sen. Tim Barnes.

Pitts said Skylar approached Barnes and himself and asked how the community might honor the memory of those five on Sept. 18 each year by raising awareness of the carbon monoxide poisoning that caused their deaths.

“Skylar is a very dynamic young lady,” Pitts said. “She is a person who wants to be involved in turning tragedy into opportunity for the community.”

They presented the idea to Gov. Bill Haslam, who has designated Sept. 18 Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day in the state of Tennessee.

New Hampshire Girl Scouts Contribute to Coastal Clean-Up

New Hampshire's WMUR 9 reports that Niki Sullivan was one of 100 Girl Scouts who spent Saturday collecting trash along the New Hampshire shores. She said her generation will inherit today's mess, which is why she hopes efforts like this one will bring about a cleaner tomorrow.

“It's really important for us to get involved because if someone doesn't take a stand and say this isn't OK -- no one else is going to do it," she said.

Even divers got into the action, going deep into the water as part of the coastal cleanup effort. Volunteer divers in Rye Harbor were part of the massive effort to collect trash from the Atlantic Ocean.

Jen Kennedy, executive director of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, helped organize the event. Kennedy said the amount of trash can be deadly to marine life as well as humans.

“There were some knives they pulled up from the harbor," she said. "Our concern is wildlife, and people are certainly affected by the debris also."

Girl Scouts Build Thanksgiving Parade Float for 100

The Detroit Free Press reports that Girl Scouts from across southeast Michigan had a chance Saturday to help build a float for the Thanksgiving Day parade that will commemorate Girl Scouts of the USA's 100th Anniversary.

The float project came about when the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan chapter approached the Parade Company about building a float to commemorate the group's centennial, said Steve Abood, spokesman for the civic event planner. The float design is a giant cake that will be the Girl Scouts' trademark green. About a month of work will go into building the tribute, Abood said.

The girls who worked Saturday signed up for the event in advance, said Michael Baird, spokesman for the Girls Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. They came from all over. As the afternoon went on, girls like Sydnei, 9, waited in anticipation for their turns to papier-mÂché.

Sydnei had gone through face painting and costume fun, and pointed to a zip-lining badge as her favorite achievement, scattered among several badges denoting her efforts to sell cookies.

"It was fun and scary and, at the same time, it went fast," she said.

Anna Maria Chávez Accepts Walter Kaitz Foundation Award on Behalf of Healthy Media Commission

CNBC reports that Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chávez accepted the Walter Kaitz Foundation's Diversity Advocate Award on behalf of the Healthy Media Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls.

"We're proud to receive this award from such a prestigious organization as the Kaitz Foundation, which is dedicated to enhancing and increasing diversity in media, would recognize the efforts of the Commission," said Chávez, who accepted the award at the foundation's annual awards dinner on Sept. 12.

The commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls was formed in 2010 and supports efforts to increase the number of female characters in the media and ensure that female roles, images, and portrayals are authentic, balanced and healthy. As part of this effort, the Commission seeks to have more positive images of women and girls in all media, especially programs designed for younger and teen audiences. Girl Scouts is a founding member of the commission along with The Creative Coalition, the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, and The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media.

The Walter Kaitz Foundation is the cable industry's national foundation dedicated to advocating for diversity. The foundation presents the Diversity Advocate Award annually to an individual or organization outside of the cable industry that has demonstrated unwavering commitment to diversity.

"Through visionary leadership, this individual or organization has directly or indirectly fostered a more embracing and inclusive diversity environment" in the media industry, said the foundation in announcing the award. "Recognizing media's role in influencing a child's growth and development, the Healthy MEdia Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls supports efforts to increase the number of female characters in the media and is working to ensure that female roles, images, and portrayals are authentic, balanced, and healthy. The Commission also brings together media leaders, subject experts and advocates for children to create recommendations for promoting positive media images."

In November, the commission will issue a series of recommendations on how to encourage the proliferation of healthy images of women and girls in all forms of media during the Geena Davis Institute's Symposium on Gender in the Media.

Girl Scouts STEM Seminar Tours Colorado

"For those of you hoping this column will be about me gorging myself on Thin Mints and accompanying a troop on their crusade to sell the most cookies possible, I’m sorry to disappoint," writes Sarah Jane Kyle in a column for The Coloradoan. "We’re going to go a little deeper than that — though I’m sure that experience would have been pretty memorable."

"For my volunteer experience," she continues, "I delved into one such opportunity and shadowed a group of female Colorado State University students, all members of the Society of Women Engineers, during a LightenUp! science day for local Girl Scouts. While math and science are typically not considered my strong suits — maybe that’s why I’m a writer by trade — I have to admit that the things I saw during this optically focused day of experiments were pretty cool."

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. Further, a high 82 percent of girls see themselves as "smart enough to have a career in STEM." And yet, few girls consider it their number-one career option: 81 percent of girls interested in STEM are interested in pursuing STEM careers, but only 13 percent say it's their first choice. Additionally, girls express that they don't know a lot about STEM careers and the opportunities afforded by these fields, with 60 percent of STEM-interested girls acknowledging that they know more about other careers than they do about STEM careers.

"The seminar, led by former Girl Scout and CSU professor Kaarin Goncz and the CSU volunteers, will travel across Colorado to promote STEM studies and share the stories of scientifically employed women," continues Sarah Jane Kyle. "It will give girls not only the knowledge to succeed in science but the inspiration to pursue a scientific career if they’re interested."

Anna Maria Chávez a Voice for Girls

Leaders from the Girl Scouts of the USA shared advice on gender equality in leadership to more than 100 community and corporate leaders at a forum last week in Newport Beach.

The Daily Pilot reports that Voice for Girls 2012, hosted by the Girl Scouts of Orange County and presented by United Healthcare, at Pacific Club on Friday, included several speakers who addressed the importance of leadership for young girls.

Keynote speaker Anna Maria Chávez, Girl Scouts of the USA chief executive, encouraged community leaders to advocate and mentor today's young girls so they can be inspired and prepared to be tomorrow's leaders.

When addressing the country's most difficult problems, both men and women should contribute their perspectives. At the forum, Chávez said that with just 16% of Congress and 2% of Fortune 500 being female, achieving that balance is going to take a long time.

Girl Scouts of Orange County Chief Executive Nancy Nygren agreed and urged local business and community leaders to share that information with their colleagues.

JoAnn Deak, author, educator and psychologist, shared a message that male and female brains are designed differently. She said that for girls to reach their full potential, parents and educators should encourage them to take risks while they are young.

A panel discussing issues females face while in the workplace concluded Voice for Girls.

Girls Scouts Create Outdoor Library at Otsego Elementary

New York's Half Hollows Hills Patch reports that Junior Girls Scouts from Suffolk County Troop 708 are avid readers. In the spring of 2012, as the weather was turning nice out and discussions began on the theme for their Bronze Award project, they quickly remembered a conversation from the year before with their Otsego Elementary School librarian.

Mrs. Castiglia had shared with the girls that she always wished to have an outdoor reading area as an extension to the school library.

In laying out their plan, the girls met with Mrs. Castiglia to gain better understanding of her vision. “When the Girl Scouts came to me and said they wanted to fulfill my dream of having an outdoor reading area, my heart was so touched. I love spending time reading with my classes. There are some days when the weather is perfect to sit outside,” she shared.

After the meeting the Girl Scouts submitted a proposal to the school administration for approval. Letters were also written to local nurseries and donations were made by Basics Landscaping, Campanelli’s and Angel Plants.

Sit-upons were crafted and placed in decorated storage boxes that could easily be transported in and out of the building for safe keeping. A custom chair for Mrs. Castiglia was created. The Otsego Outdoor Library is now completed with a garden filled with planters and seasonal flowers.

“I feel so lucky to have wonderful, thoughtful and hard-working students,” states Mrs. Casttiglia. “Otsego will greatly benefit for all their hard work.”

Ohio Bronze Hopefuls Stitch Together 100 Years of History

In Ohio, The Telegram reports that while traveling State Route 93 between Jackson and Oak Hill, you can catch a glimpse of a quilt square hanging on a barn that was 100 years in the making.

In celebration of the centennial anniversary of Girl Scouting, Junior Troop No. 406 of Jackson spent Sunday afternoon, September 9, decorating a prominent barn located just south of Jackson.

The local scouts hung a barn quilt pattern, comprised of two 4x8-foot wooden sheets, on the barn of Steve and Fritzie Pritchett. The barn has been owned by the Pritchetts since 1932.

The colorful pattern features a basket filled with red, green, and yellow apples. The names of each of the girl scouts in the troop are written on the bottom half of the display. Additionally, the dates 1912 and 2012 are painted across the upper left-hand corner.

The idea to hang the commemorative barn quilts, a project dubbed "Stitching Together," originated from the Ohio's Heartland Girl Scout Council, which envisioned at least one such barn quilt in every county. The local scouts of Troop 406, which is comprised of mostly 3rd and 4th graders, followed through. A ceremony was held in conjunction with the hanging of the quilt on the barn. It was attended by community members, girl scout officials and former scouts.

The troop is also currently working on its Bronze Award, which is the highest possible award for its age group. The community service project the troop chose involves preparing care packages for foster children.

Chicago's Cookie Classic 5K a Great Success!

Time Out Chicago reports that the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana threw its inaugural Cookie Classic, a 5K run and walk, on Saturday, September 8. Definitely check out Time Out Chicago's slideshow of the event!

Earlier last week, Maria Wynne, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, visited ABC7 to talk about the celebrations for a landmark anniversary.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana hosted the 5K Run and walk. The day featured American Idol's Haley Reinhart, The Buckinghams and pop group Savvy.

Girl Scouts Aim at Narrowing Financial Literacy Gap

According to Nightly Business Report, U.S. retail investors lack basic financial literacy. That was one of the conclusions of a government report last month designed to gauge our money smarts. Women, specifically, were among the groups identified in the government report as failing to grasp elementary financial concepts, like inflation and compound interest. Narrowing that financial literacy gap is something the Girl Scouts are working on, badge by badge. Allison Worrell tonight joined a couple of troops learning the value of a dollar.

Orange County Register Interviews Anna Maria Chávez on Leadership

The Orange County Register sat down this week with Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of USA, who was in Orange County to speak to community leaders about the importance of mentoring today’s youth. Here is a snippet!

Q. Why did you to choose to speak out today on the lack of girl leadership in the community and in society?

A. It’s interesting, we do research and we actually look at other people’s research, we find that if you look at the top 10 sectors in the United States from the military to academia to government to nonprofit, we find that there is a very low percentage of women that actually hold leadership positions.

So when you’re talking about a future workforce, 50 percent are women.

And if we want them to achieve in their careers and to achieve developing opportunities for their families, then they should have all options available to them.

Read the whole interview here!