Alabama Senate Recognizes Girl Scout Advocacy Day at the State Capitol

On Wednesday, September 11, 2013, State Senator Cam Ward presented Trish Coghlan, CEO of Girls Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA), a resolution from the Alabama Senate that commends the ongoing commitment Girl Scouting has made to support the continued advancement of girls in their roles as leaders. The presentation took place at GSNCA’s Kanawahala Program Center in Chelsea, Ala.

“Since 1917, our bold mission continues to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place,” said Coghlan. “Through our many years of work with hundreds of thousands of girls living in our 36-county service area, we’ve seen there is greatness in each of them that's hard to suppress. By providing today’s girls with a supportive environment, it will unequivocally help many become tomorrow's role models, leaders and captains of industry, while reaching their fullest potential in all aspects of society.”

Earlier this year on April 11, 2013, the annual Girl Scout Advocacy Day was held at the state capitol to announce the organization’s legislative agenda as the following: promoting leadership and educational opportunities to girls, such as financial literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) (STEM), healthy living and supporting the work of the nonprofit sector at-large. 

Girls, parents and troop leaders enjoyed a day of shadowing female legislators from their communities to gain a better understanding of the process and to inspire them to aim high in whatever they choose to do in life.

Girl Scout Advocacy Day Honored by Alabama Legislators

On Thursday, April 11, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama and Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama were honored with a resolution from the Alabama House of Representatives acknowledging Girl Scout Advocacy Day.

Girl Scouts led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance in the House and Senate that day, and councils and Honorary Troop 1912, whose members are elected officials, hosted a Girl Scout Cookie reception that allowed Girl Scouts to interact with the public and elected officials to share updates on Girl Scout programs. Co-chairs of Troop 1912, Rep. Jamie Ison (R-Mobile) and Terri Collins (R-Decatur), along with the legislative staff, offered the Girl Scouts an opportunity to shadow all female legislators for the day.

Girl Scouts has been building girls of courage, confidence and character since 1912. What started with 18 girls led by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga, has grown to more than 3.2 million Girl Scout members in the USA and an alumnae base of more than 59 million American women. Girl Scouts is open to all girls ages 5 to 17 and values diversity and inclusiveness.

The Girl Scouts of Southern and North-Central Alabama councils were excited to announce their legislative agenda as the following: promoting leadership and educational opportunities such as financial literacy and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for girls, healthy living, and supporting a thriving non-profit community. 

Both councils are eager to work with policymakers to create opportunities and environments that foster girls’ leadership development and help consider solutions to a wide range of related and overlooked issues that disproportionately affect girls’ healthy living involving bullying, healthy media images, and eating disorders. Girl Scouts also seeks to partner with policymakers to ensure that all girls have financial literacy skills and support the role of youth-serving organizations in providing real-world financial literacy experiences for girls, in addition to encouraging policymakers and community leaders to work with human services organizations to ensure a healthy, effective and strong non-profit community. 

Members of Troop 1912 include Alabama Senate members Linda Coleman (D), Priscilla Dunn (D), Vivian Figures (D), Mark Keahey (D), Hank Sanders (D), Bobby Singleton (D), Harri Anne Smith (I) and Cam Ward (R). House of Representatives members include Mike Hubbard, Speaker of the House (R), Alan Baker (R), Elaine Beech (D), Barbara Boyd (D), Merika Coleman (D), Paul DeMarco (R), Juandalyn Givan (D), Laura Hall (D), Terri Collins (R), Mary Sue McClurkin (R), Joseph Mitchell (D), Mary Moore (D), Becky Nordgren (R), Patricia Todd (D), Mark Tuggle (R), Pebblin Warren (D), Kurt Wallace (R), Jamie Ison (R) and April Weaver (R).

Pictured: Faith & Kelly of Jemison with Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)

Girl Scouts Release Healthy Media Commission Recommendations

Girl Scouts of the USA and the Healthy Media Commission recently released The Report and Recommendations of the Healthy Media Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls which outlines recommendations that support a more positive and gender-neutral media environment for women and promotes the healthy development of a girl’s social, emotional and physical well-being.

The Healthy Media report is unique and innovative because it provides a detailed blueprint of recommendations and strategies for four different categories of stakeholders who impact the media culture, from the media creators themselves to parents, educators, and youth. The belief is that each player has an equal role and responsibility in facilitating change. For each category, recommendations are organized and tailored to empower individuals with the ability to LEARN and to be aware of the depiction of women and girls in the media, to CHOOSE media that uphold high standards, and to EDUCATE others on the importance of the issue. This report is the crucial first step in creating a more positive media environment for women and girls. It identifies emerging best practices, and establishes a climate for change. To access the report and learn more about how you can make a difference, visit www.Girlscouts.org/HealthyMedia.

Locally, Girl Scouts have many programs that educate girls on how to identify healthy media – namely the Journey program curriculum, MEdia.
“Girls working in this Journey learn about women in the media, how to identify stereotypes, and about how reality television isn’t reality,” says Hilary Perry, director of communications and advocacy for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Girl Scouts Launch ToGetHerThere Campaign Dedicated to Girls' Leadership

Girls think the workplace could support women more; Harder for women to succeed than men

Girl Scouts recently announced the launch of ToGetHerThere, the largest, boldest cause dedicated to girls’ leadership in the nation’s history. The multiyear effort seeks to create balanced leadership—equal representation of women in leadership positions in all levels of society—within one generation.

A new research study, ToGetHerThere: Girls’ Insights on Leadership, commissioned by GSUSA, reveals that while girls are generally optimistic about their futures, they still see glass ceilings in today’s society that will get in the way of achieving their leadership potential. The study, based on a survey of 1,000 girls ages 8–17, found for example that close to three in five girls think that a woman can rise up in a company but will only rarely be put in a senior leadership role. Additionally, more than one-third of girls say they wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to be a leader, and almost 40 percent are not sure they’re cut out to be a leader.

I do feel I miss out on opportunities because I'm a girl,” said Juanita January, 13, a 7th-grader at W. J. Christian K-8 School and a Cadette Girl Scout. “Sometimes boys and other peers laugh at me for being outspoken. That sometimes stops me and I slip back into the shy, little girl I use to be. I can miss out on grand opportunities because I do not try to open a new door.”

Sarah Gordon, a 16-year-old sophomore at Spain Park High School and Senior Girl Scout has strong feelings about girl leaders. “To know that women are overshadowed by men in the business world is more fitting for the 1950's, not for today. I think everyone has the potential for greatness, no matter who you are, and it is sad so few girls believe that concept. Leadership is something that should be encouraged more within the girl community.”

Obstacles to Leadership from a Girl’s Point of View
A crucial reason for girls’ distorted outlook on leadership may have something to do with their perception of environments as unsupportive of women leaders. The ToGetHerThere study noted that 81 percent of girls believe the workplace could do a better job of meeting the needs of female employees, and the majority of girls believe family responsibilities weigh women down more than men as they attempt to advance in their careers.


“The Girl Scout Research Institute found while the majority of girls think anyone can acquire the skills of leadership, only 21 percent believe they have key qualities required to be a good leader,” says Trish Coghlan, CEO of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama. “Negative influences such as poor self-esteem, fear of speaking in front of others, appearing bossy, and peer pressure may cause girls to not assume leadership roles. We need to change that so girls can be better prepared to compete in the workforce. The ToGetHerThere campaign is a bold step in the right direction.”

The ToGetHerThere cause seeks to motivate all adult members of society—individuals, corporations, governments and likeminded organizations—to support girls. Adults who want to support the cause can visit ToGetHerThere.org for tools on how to be a part of this important movement.

About Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
2012 is the Year of the Girl! To get involved, visit our 100th anniversary page at girlscoutsnca.org/100. Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is a United Way community partner and serves 15,300 girls ages 5-17 and 5,000 volunteers across 36 counties. For more information on becoming a member, volunteering or pathway opportunities, call 800-734-4541 or visit girlscoutsnca.org.

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Girl Scouts Declares 2012 as the Year of the Girl

Girl Scouts to Transform Leadership During 100th Anniversary

In a move designed to focus national attention on girls and the issues they face, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl: a celebration of girls, recognition of their leadership potential, and a commitment to creating a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in support of balanced leadership in the workplace and in communities across the country.

“The Year of the Girl is only a beginning,” said GSNCA Chief Executive Officer Trish Coghlan. “We will transform awareness about the increased need for a leadership organization like Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts offers girls experiences that inspire her to do something big. Our girls have many leadership opportunities, travel adventures and the ability to attend many science and technology programs. The Year of the Girl declares that when girls succeed, so does society. We know that together, we can get her there.”

This declaration serves as the foundation for Girl Scouts’ broader, multiyear, multipronged effort to break down societal barriers that hinder girls from leading and achieving success in everything from technology and science to business and industry.

During the Year of the Girl, the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will hold multiple celebrations of the organization’s 100 years as the premier leadership experience for girls with efforts to bring awareness about girls’ issues, especially girls’ involvement in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). Council celebrations will take place on the following dates (for full list of events visit www.girlscoutsnca.org/100):

East-Central Women of Distinction with 100th Anniversary Reception | Friday, March 9, 2012
Harbert Center, Birmingham www.girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral

Women Who Serve West Alabama Event | Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Regions Taylorville Branch, Tuscaloosa www.girlscoutsnca.org/womenwhoserve

North Alabama Women of Distinction Awards Dinner | Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Davidson Center, Huntsville www.girlscoutsnca.org/wodnorth

GSNCA To Hold North Alabama Healthy Media Images Panel

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) will host a community panel to discuss the impact of media images on children, especially young girls. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the NCAC’s location on Pratt Avenue.

The panel will include Monique Brouillette, Crisis Services of North Alabama; Tina Savas, Author, Women of True Grit; Deborah Callins, Prevention Director, National Children’s Advocacy Center; and America Hosch, a current Girl Scout, that will identify ways to help young people encounter media images that inspires, empowers and engage.

This event will build awareness about the need to pay attention not to just what kids watch, but how they watch it. Every child should be influenced by media that promotes confidence and character.

The National Children’s Advocacy Center is located at 210 Pratt Avenue NE Huntsville, AL 35801. Light appetizers will be served. Tina Savas will be selling her book at the event.

Please visit www.dld.bz/cchsv to RSVP through June 1, seating is limited. Along with GSNCA, this event is hosted by Kappa Delta and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

Sowing Seeds of Health Partners with Girl Scouts

On Saturday January 22, families gathered for the community-based educational event entitled Sowing Seeds of Health in Huntsville. Sowing Seeds of Health presented parents of the Latino community with information about breast and cervical cancer.

Meanwhile the 22 girls and boys had a chance to experience Girl Scouts’ uniquely ME! program. Girl Scout volunteers led discussions about what makes everyone unique and why being unique is important. 

“All the children were bright, energetic and courteous. It was amazing to see them work together to solve problems,” said Jennifer Moody, Community Development Specialist. 

The children worked together as teams to build birdhouses and make friendship bracelets. “Each child had his or her own strengths, and by working together they completed their projects more creatively than if they had worked individually.”

To learn more about Sowing Seeds of Health please visit: dopm.uab.edu/sowingtheseeds/about.htm

It's Your Story—Tell It!

Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the release of the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It's Your Story—Tell It! It's Your Story—Tell It! uses a storytelling theme in a fun and relevant way for girls to better understand themselves and their potential.

“Through girls hearing stories, sharing their stories, trying out new roles and creating their own stories, they gain confidence and see that they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others” says Andrea Bastiani Archibald, Ph.D. Developmental Psychologist at Girl Scouts of the USA. Building a strong sense of self is an underlying goal of the series, which was made possible in part by a generous grant from Dove.

The collection of six age appropriate publications or "leadership journeys" have been developed for girls grades K-12 and is accompanied by corresponding adult guides. These resources center on a different theme at each Girl Scout grade-level and encourage girls to take the lead in planning their leadership activities and projects.

The Journeys are central to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Each level of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience takes girls on a journey - a voyage to someplace new, with adventures and discoveries along the way. These adventures strengthen a girl’s ability to discover herself and her values, connect with others locally and globally and take action to make the world a better place.

"Girl Scouts of the USA believes that girls develop confidence and self-esteem through taking action," said Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA. "With this new journey, we saw an excellent opportunity to equip girls with the tools necessary in developing courage, confidence and character – three keys to leadership."

In fact, a national survey of girls’ use of social media released by Girl Scouts of the USA (Who's That Girl: Self Image in the 21st Century, 2010) finds that girls with low self-esteem are more likely to be susceptible to negative experiences on social networking sites than are girls with high self-esteem. They are also more likely to fall victim to hurtful behavior online and to engage in risky behavior. Building self-esteem does not happen overnight, but research shows that one way to accomplish this is through the development of leadership skills and competencies. Our national leadership journey program equips girls with these skills now and throughout their lives.

Moreover, increased self-esteem is a natural outcome of It's Your Story—Tell It! because, through storytelling and creative expression, girls gain a better understanding of themselves, learn how to reach their full potential and develop the confidence to become leaders in their own lives and in the world.

GSNCA to Host Virtual Chat on Healthy Media Images

GSNCA and BeautyGirlMag.com will host a virtual conversation on Twitter on Thursday, November 18 at 7 PM on the importance of media images in today’s society and how they affect our youth. To participate, log on to Twitter (if you don’t have an account, sign up prior to November 18) and search #beautygirlchat (make sure to include the #). The chat will begin with questions that discuss how this issue is affecting our youth and how we can take action. Also make sure you follow @GirlScoutsNCA to get the latest information from GSNCA!

Healthy Media Images Twitter Chat

Fed Up with Media Images Your Girls See Everyday? Join our Twitter chat!

GSNCA and BeautyGirlMag.com will host a virtual conversation on Twitter on Thursday, November 18 at 7 PM on the importance of media images in today’s society and how they affect our youth. To participate, log on to Twitter (if you don’t have an account, sign up prior to November 18) and search #beautygirlchat (make sure to include the #). We’ll kick off our chat with questions and we’ll discuss how this issue is affecting our youth and how we can take action. Also make sure you follow @GirlScoutsNCA to get the latest information from GSNCA!