February 2022
February is that time of year when snow covers the ground, slowing our pace a bit. It's during these cozy days inside that Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day, on February 22. This year's theme, “Our World, Our Equal Future: The Environment and Gender Equality”, encourages Girl Scouts to understand how climate change disproportionately impacts girls and women.  

What a timely topic! Here at Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, we continue to do our part to pave the way for gender equality through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education.

Although women make up more than half the U.S. workforce, they comprise less than a quarter of STEM jobs, with the greatest disparities occurring in engineering and computer science. Simply put, women and girls are underrepresented across all levels of the STEM pipeline.

Since 1913 when Girl Scouts debuted the Electrician badge, we’ve encouraged girls’ interests and confidence in STEM subjects by offering badge experiences and summer camp themes that unleash a girl's power to create or pursue these careers of the future. Our programming bridges the gender gap by ensuring that girls can participate in progressive, multi-year STEM experiences.

Continue reading about how Girl Scout STEM opportunities cultivate girls' interest, confidence, and competence in STEM, sending them soaring into rewarding careers. I must say, it is so inspirational to see a girl find her spark in the world of STEM, and I know it is all possible thanks to you.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Paige's Gold Award Soars!

Paige McNachtan has completed work for her Gold Award, making her a member of the 2022 class of Gold Award Girl Scouts. Her project focuses on her passion for aviation and flying.

In partnership with the National Aviation Heritage Sites and her school district, she was able to provide education and outreach events that introduced youth to aviation. Paige visited the aviation heritage centers, took photos of what they had to offer, and learned what made each place special. Afterward, Paige shared this information with students at a local elementary school to help spark their interest in flight.
           
Through this project, Paige influenced an entire generation's interest in aerospace. Paige credits this project with helping her to learn about persevering in difficult situations, being flexible with plans and ideas, and making the best of a tough situation. Way to go, Paige!
Black holes, chemical reactions, and kinetic energy - oh my!

This past weekend, 100 Girl Scouts in grades K-5 took part in Girls Go STEM events in Dayton and Lima, where they learned what it’s like to be a scientist. Girls conducted hands-on engineering activities with the Society of Women Engineers, learned about math in nature, explored algorithms, and learned how to collaborate to be a force for good. 

You make a difference! When young girls immerse themselves in STEM activities, their confidence and their enthusiasm for STEM soar. Your donations pave the way for girls, many of them in underserved communities, to participate in STEM programming year-round, unleashing their power to create the careers of the future. This year, you will make it possible for thousands of girls to experience the thrill of science for the first time. Who knows how far they will go? 
Donor Spotlight: Nancy Dawes

When you think of an accomplished engineer and an avid Girl Scouts supporter, you can’t help but think of Nancy Dawes.  Within Girl Scouts, Nancy has served in almost every volunteer capacity possible, from being our Board Chair, a National Delegate, a Service Unit Chair, and Troop Leader. In these roles, Nancy has done everything from facilitating our council merger to helping 5 girls earn their Gold Award.

Before Nancy was a Girl Scout volunteer, she was a Girl Scout in Rocky River, a suburb outside of Cleveland.  As a Girl Scout, Nancy had a variety of experiences, including earning her First-Class honors and taking a trip to London with her troop! Nancy also received valuable advice from her troop leader: “remember if you don’t tell others why they should choose you, they will never know”. This advice proved to be invaluable as Nancy navigated her career as a top-notch engineer in a field dominated by men.

Nancy’s professional accomplishments are even more impressive. As an elite scientist at Procter & Gamble with a history of creating new products in the food, skin, and hair care categories, Nancy was the first female engineer to be inducted into P&G’s Victor Mills Society, a small group of the company’s most valued innovators.

We are grateful for Nancy’s unwavering support of Girl Scouts and her example to all girls as we celebrate her latest honor. Nancy was recently recognized with the Benjamin G. Lamme Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Engineering from her alma mater, Ohio State University. This medal has been awarded since 1931, and Nancy was the first woman to receive this medal! This prestigious honor recognizes Nancy’s 38-year STEM career. Regarding her receipt of this medal, Nancy stated “I'm sure the perseverance required to deserve this was linked to my 'learning to persevere' as I worked hard to earn my Girl Scout First Class (now Gold Award)".

Read more about this honor here.
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.

Did you know that you can easily double your donation to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio! On our donate page, scroll to the bottom to search for your company and see if they match your donations!
Customer Care Hotline
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
888.350.5090
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Closed 1:30 - 2 for lunch)

Closed
Saturday, Sunday, Monday