Video from the Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Although Girl Scouts USA has transformed into the “premiere leadership experience for young girls,” there is still a popular perception that they’re just green-wearing, cookie-selling, craft-making young ladies.
Yes, there are a lot of girls, especially young Girl Scouts in Brownie or Daisy troops, who do primarily enjoy the friendships and the arts & crafts. However, the girls who stay in Girl Scouts into middle school and beyond, do so because they see opportunities to develop as leaders and change the world.
A recent publication from the Girl Scout Research Institute, Change It Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership, presents findings of a national study of over 4,000 girls and boys ages 8 to 17:
Over nine out of ten of girls say they want to be or would not mind being leaders. In today’s culture, girls, regardless of age, see the command-and-control concept of leadership as too limiting and the least appealing or aspirational. Instead, girls would aspire to a different kind of leadership focused on personal principles, ethical behavior, and the ability to affect social change.
Girls are defining leaders as those who:
- Bring people together to get things done.
- Stand up for his or her beliefs and values.
- Try to change the world for the better.
Unfortunately, there are few opportunities to develop these leadership in school or in the extra-curricular activities that are available. Few organizations allow girls to identify an issue, connect with others who share that concern, and empower them to take action.
At each age-level of Girl Scouts, whether the youngest Daisies or the oldest Senior Ambassadors, girls are encouraged to plan girl-led activities. Through a wide variety of programs, girls are learning age-appropriate leadership skills as they undertake the service projects that inspire them.
Don’t take my word for it. Watch this video from the Girl Scouts of Western Washington, and hear what these girls have to say about leadership.
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This was a great posting, Sandra, thank you!