Special 110th Birthday Edition
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March signals spring; a time that brings signs of new life outdoors – from budding trees and fresh green grass to baby birds hatching all around. In fact, it was this time 110 years ago when Girl Scouts was born. When Juliette Gordon Low registered the first 18 members in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, she founded an innovative movement where all would be welcomed.
At a time when women in the United States couldn’t yet vote and were expected to stick to strict social norms, encouraging girls to embrace their unique strengths and create their own opportunities was game-changing. That first gathering of girls ignited a movement across America where every girl could unlock her full potential, find lifelong friends, and make the world a better place. Girls still gather with this goal today!
To commemorate our birthday, we celebrate Girl Scout Week, a time when Girl Scouts around the world celebrate their sisterhood and traditions. Traditions give Girl Scouts a sense of history—and inspire them to be the best they can be. Sharing traditions with millions of Girl Scouts—and the huge network of Girl Scout alums who came before them—helps remind girls they are part of a big, powerful sisterhood.
Continue reading to learn about events celebrating our history and the many traditions we still participate in today! Together, we are building girls of courage, confidence, and character and empowering girls to make the world a better place. That is something to celebrate!
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Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
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A Long-Standing Tradition: Girl Scout Week
For Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Girl Scout week is celebrated with daily activities and events. The week kicks off on Sunday, March 6 with our Gold Award ceremony. The most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award is a testament to the incredible commitment of girls who earn it. Gold Award Girl Scouts have shown remarkable dedication to improving their communities and the world. This year, we are recognizing 29 girls who have earned this honor.
Everyone is invited to celebrate Girl Scout Traditions on Monday and to show your Girl Scout spirit on Tuesday. Get outdoors on Wednesday, then brush up on Girl Scout history on Thursday and discover a STEM topic or two on Friday. Finally, on Saturday, March 12, girls, volunteers, alums, and supporters from across the council will participate in service projects at area state parks while learning about the environment and how we can help protect our resources.
Throughout the week, look for a faith service in your community, celebrating Girl Scouts. Whether you celebrate Girl Scouts on Sunday to kick off the week, participate in a Girl Scout Jummah service on Friday or close out the week at a Girl Scout Sabbath Service, join together to celebrate Girl Scouts and faith as part of our sisterhood.
Be sure to look for #GirlScoutWeek on your favorite Social Media channels for updates on what girls are doing!
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Olivia Provides the Spark for Many Warm Memories
One Girl Scout tradition that has stood the test of time is fire building. What started out of necessity for cooking, a light source, and heating purposes and is useful for signaling and clearing land is still a favorite pastime for so many. Around a campfire is where we commune with stories, songs, and meals. This tradition was recently passed on in a unique way, leading to a Gold Award for Olivia, a senior at Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield, Ohio.
Olivia was concerned about the lack of socialization opportunities for residents in assisted living facilities, so she worked with Oakwood Village Assisted Living to create and build a fire pit and a seating area to encourage movement and socialization for the residents. Oakwood Village generously donated the funds to purchase the materials.
With help from her volunteers, Olivia enjoyed the experience of building the fire pit and outdoor seating area. But the best part was watching the residents and staff enjoy being together around the fire, laughing and eating. She held a dedication ceremony which was well-attended by residents and staff. Olivia created a binder with recipes, fire safety guidelines, and maintenance best practices that the facility is using. She also shared about her project, both with younger Girl Scouts and on social media to inspire other communities to create similar outdoor spaces.
You can learn more about Olivia and all 2022 Gold Award Scouts here.
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Jean Sims: Coach, Donor, and Friend
Jean Sims is synonymous with Girl Scout traditions. As a lifetime member for 31 years, she has stayed involved in Girl Scouts, even as an adult, beyond her years leading her daughter’s troop. “Girls grow strong because of their experiences in Girl Scouts, but as women, we grow strong too. We become better leaders by staying connected to Girl Scouts.” Jean has trained leaders in many outdoor skills including outdoor cooking, leadership, and ropes courses, and trained others in how to conduct a flag ceremony.
According to Jean, the most rewarding role she has had at Girl Scouts is as a coach in the Gold Award program. For 25 years, she has coached hundreds of girls through this process. “I get to see these girls become young women and see how much the Gold Award has contributed to skills in leadership, management, and ability to overcome challenges.
And as a member of the Juliette Gordon Low planned giving society, she knows she will also leave something behind. “I want to make sure I leave a legacy,” she said. "That’s an important thing for people to do, and I want to make sure Girl Scouts is not only part of my life, but part of my legacy."
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Both Jean and her
dog, Cas, partake
in many Girl Scout
traditions!
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Thank you for investing in girls, and supporting the visionary leaders, doers, innovators, creators, and thinkers of tomorrow. Together, we can help girls discover their untapped potential and build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Make a gift today!
In honor of Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low, you can leave a gift that will impact girls for generations. Learn more about planned giving through the Juliette Gordon Low Society.
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