John Carroll Senior Earns Gold Award by Addressing Homelessness Awareness

Rachel, a senior at John Carroll Catholic High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Rachel earned her Gold Award for her project Homelessness-Pathways to Transition. Her project focused on providing immediate help the homeless in the Birmingham area and on increasing awareness of the problem of homelessness. She educated homeless people in social media, showing them how it can be used to find employment, and she provided women who were transitioning from a shelter into a home with “moving day baskets” filled with supplies. The project also provided the homeless with blankets and backpacks. To raise awareness of homelessness, Rachel designed an activity book for young children, produced a YouTube video, distributed flyers, utilized social media and wrote a book targeting teenagers designed to get them involved. This book, along with the activity book and YouTube video, will be placed in the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church’s library. The church will also continue the project in the future. 

“It is important that people are reminded that the homeless do not include just the drug addict of the ‘lazy bum who does not want to work,’” said Rachel. “It could be your next door neighbor, or a child, or an abused woman with children fleeing to save her life and her child’s life from the hands of an abusive husband or family member. It is our responsibility to help.”

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Rachel has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.” 

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.

Girl Scouts Learn Sweet Science with Miss Hoover

On Saturday, March 16, Girl Scout Troop 208 had a science lesson from Miss Hoover, Briana Kinsey, while earning their Daring to Defeat Diabetes patch. They took part in experiments to learn about glucose, osmosis and diffusion, and about the roles of the pancreas and insulin in the body.

“The Girl Scouts were so excited about being in the lab and learning all about the science of glucose! They were so engaged and did not want the program to end!” said Kinsey. 

The program was part of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative, which seeks to ensure girls are educated in STEM-related fields to give them an edge when competing for an increasing number of STEM-related jobs. STEM topics help girls develop problem-solving, critical thinking and collaborative skills. 

About STEM Advocacy 

Girl Scouts is committed to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to explore and build an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The strength of our nation depends on increasing girls’ involvement in STEM. While the percentage of careers that require advanced STEM education increases, an alarmingly high percentage of girls lose interest in STEM subjects early in their development. If the United States is to maintain its competitive advantage in the global economy, we urgently need to ensure that our entire population of young minds, and especially girls, are educated in STEM fields. To learn more about our advocacy efforts, visit girlscoutsnca.org/advocacy.

Rocky Heights Service Unit Celebrates World Thinking Day with Annual International Tea

The Rocky Heights service unit celebrated World Thinking Day on February 24, 2013, with its annual International Tea. Participating Daisy, Brownie, Junior and Cadette troops learned about a country of their choice, and they presented information about that country by creating tabletop displays about them. Many girls dressed up in costumes from their chosen countries, and some performed skits. Girls traveled to different tables with boarding passes and discovered information about each nation. The boarding passes asked questions about each country, and girls could find the answers within the information on each table. Girls with the correct answers had the chance to win door prizes. Traveling girls also sampled food from some of the countries, including baklava, koulourakia, hummus, fortune cookies, hot dogs and apple pie. 

The recognized countries were Egypt, Greece, Brazil, Jordan, China, Costa Rica, the United States of America and Germany. 

The girls participating also collected $110 for the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. The fund was created in 1927 to support girls as they travel internationally to connect with Girl Guides and take action globally. World Thinking Day not only gives Girl Scouts a chance to celebrate international friendships, but is also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community—one of 144 countries in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). 

Thinking Day was created in 1926 to encourage girls to think of each other and to give thanks and appreciation to sister Girl Scouts. The name was changed to World Thinking Day in 1999 to emphasize its global aspect.

College Freshman Goes Gold with Project about Girls' Self Image

America, a graduate of Homeland Christian Academy and freshman at Highlands College, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. America earned her Gold Award for her project Fearlessly Unashamed. Her project focused girls’ self image. She saw that peer pressure caused girls to try and live up to a certain standard, and she wanted to show them that beauty is found in all shapes and sizes. America created a website featuring real girls with real stories about how they came to have healthy views of body image. She met with girls about her project, and she hopes to continue to work with them to teach them about inner beauty. “I never want to see any girl get discouraged about the way she looks. All girls are beautiful in their own way,” said America. “I hope this website helps people to understand how teenagers truly feel about themselves and how they should react to worldly pressures about their appearance.” 

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “America has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.”

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.

Hoover High Senior Earns Gold Award

Rachel, a senior at Hoover High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project Hats for Hope. Her project focused on supporting the women served by Sav-A-Life, Vestavia. She taught her peers and others how to crochet baby hats and then donated them to the organization. She hoped that women who seek out Sav-A-Life for support when they have an unplanned pregnancy would be encouraged by these hats when they see how the community cares about them. At the end of November 2012 she had donated 75 caps, exceeding her goal of 50. She and her group are continuing the project into the future to provide more expecting mothers with the caps.

“By giving them something handmade, they are reminded that the community cares about them and their child.” said Rachel. “Hopefully, they will look forward to having their baby wear it one day.”

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Rachel has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.” 

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to go gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.

Seventh Graders Earn Silver Award with Volunteering, Blanket Donation Project

Troop 455 members Clare, LeeAllyn, Reagan and Anne, seventh graders at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, recently earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for their project Serving the Homeless and Touching Souls. The girls held a blanket drive at their church and donated the blankets to the homeless. They also volunteered by serving dinner at Firehouse Shelter.

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6-8) can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette's accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Meet Margaret Morton, 2013 Woman of Distinction, Frances E. Couch Awardee

Margaret Morton has been the executive director of the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc. (SAFE) since 1997, and she is the president of the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers. Under her leadership, SAFE has grown to offer more than 25 programs in the areas of case management, job searching, parenting education, marriage and family relationship skills, family literacy, youth empowerment and more.

When the city of Sylacauga had to shut down public transportation because of the recent economic downturn, Morton reached an agreement with city officials that allowed SAFE to take over management of the transportation system so that families and others who depended on the system would be able to get to work. The transportation system is now in the black financially.

She is known nationwide as having the model family service center, and has presented at national conferences in Denver and San Francisco.

Morton serves on the boards of the Sylacauga Literacy Council, the Talladega County Community Improvement Foundation, the Alabama Partnership for Children and others. She is also involved in state government to support family services.

Morton has received Sylacauga’s Woman of Achievement Award; the Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Children and Families of Alabama; and the Talladega County Women Committee to Excellence Award-Professional Category.

Morton says she has learned many lessons through Girl Scouting and her work in the community. “I have learned that leadership is not about being in an executive leadership position; it’s about responsibility, discipline, preparedness, cooperation and partnership, problem solving, service and shared vision,” she says. “Leadership is about being a role model without intention, but by nature. It’s about a moral compass that drives every aspect of the choices you make and the way you live your life. It’s about determination and persistence. It’s about service; it’s about service to the ‘least of these.’ And most importantly it’s about service to God.”

Morton will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

Meet Judge Debra Goldstein, 2013 Woman of Distinction - Mildred Bell Johnson Awardee

Judge Debra Goldstein has been an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration for the past 20 years. Before this position she was a trial attorney with the United States Department of Labor for 12 years. She is also an accomplished writer, and received an Independent Book Publisher (IPPY) Award for her mystery novel Maze in Blue, published in 2011. She has published numerous award-winning short stories and essays, as well as legal articles on sexual harassment, sex offender registration and notification, sex-based wage discrimination, mentoring, equal pay act and social security practice.

She currently serves on the YWCA board, the UAB Center for Metabolic Bone Disease Community Leadership Council, Alys Stephens advisory board, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Executive advisory board and the Birmingham Bar Association Bulletin. In the past she has served on the executive board, board of directors and several committees for United Way of Central Alabama; as president, executive board member and program committee member of the Women’s Network; as social action vice president, administrative vice president and board member for Hadassah; as well as numerous other positions in the community.

Goldstein was a 2002 Woman of Distinction and was named one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top Ten Women in 2004. Her involvement with Girl Scouting began when she was Brownie as a girl. She has since served as a board member and troop leader.

With all of her accolades, Goldstein says her family is still her greatest sense of pride. “My children are my proudest accomplishment. Through them I see that whatever I have done, they have the capacity to go beyond,” she says.

The most valuable lesson she has learned from her service to the community is, “to be a good listener and to always try to leave something better than I found it.”

Goldstein will be honored a the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

Meet Bonika Wilson, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Bonika Wilson is president and chief executive officer of Wilson Capital Management. Prior to this position, she was senior vice president with SunTrust Bank, a position she earned at age 30.

Wilson has supported women and minority-owned businesses throughout her career by giving free workshops on small business financing, financial management and business planning. She also consults women on motivating employees and maintaining work/life balance. She mentors teenage girls on college preparation, self-esteem, entrepreneurship and community service through the nonprofit I am My Brothers/Sisters Keeper.

She also serves on the boards of the YWCA of Central Alabama and others, in addition to her involvement with several organizations including the Leading Edge Institute and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

She received the 2009 Impact Award from George Washington University and has been featured in several magazines for her success and community involvement.

Wilson’s greatest accomplishment is balancing motherhood and successful entrepreneurship. She reveals her passion for mentoring: “Women have a special ability to nurture, support each other and celebrate success. There is an unbelievable synergy when you get women together who have shared interests, goals and passion-nothing is impossible!” She measures her success by how she plants seeds, and how the work she does today will impact those who came after her.

Wilson will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Our Lady of the Valley Students Earn Silver Award for Project Caring for Homeless

Troop 30455 members Zoe, Victoria and Kayla, seventh graders at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, recently earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for their project Sharing the Light of Christ, Cookies and Smiles with the Homeless. The girls collected toiletries, blankets, socks and even Girl Scout cookies from their church and passed them out to the men at Firehouse Shelter. They also volunteered by cooking and serving food at the shelter. 

The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6-8) can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette's accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Meet Deborah Voltz, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Deborah Voltz has served as dean of UAB’s School of Education since 2011, becoming the first African American dean at UAB. Prior to her appointment, she was an associate professor at the school, has been the director of UAB’s Center for Urban Education and its Urban Education Project.

Voltz has collaborated on books, journal articles and other publications, and she has made presentations at several national conferences. She has spoken about teaching in urban classrooms, special education and learning diversity.

She was given Phi Delta Kappa’s Educator of the Year Award in 2010 and named an Unsung Hero in the Birmingham Times’ Trailblazers for the Next Generation in 2008.

“It is important to me to make a difference as I move through the journey of life. As an educator, you have the opportunity—or really, the responsibility—to make an impact in many young lives. These young people, throughout the course of their lives, go on to impact many, many others. Consequently, the influence of an educator can live on indefinitely,” Voltz says.

Voltz will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.