How 18 Girls Became 50 Million Women

The Girl Scouts organization has shaped the lives of more than 50 million alumnae alive today, among them many of our nation’s female leaders. A national poll of American women, in fact, found that two-thirds of women of professional achievement, and more than three-fourths of those who were deemed “women of distinction” had been Girl Scouts in their youth. The same poll found that more than four out of five successful professional women who had been Girl Scouts rated their Girl Scout involvement as helping them achieve later success.

In other words, the Girl Scouts stand for much more than cookies, camping and crafts. There is no other organization remotely comparable in size, experience and resources devoted to developing the leadership in girls. Kathy Cloninger, former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, tells her story in the new book Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons from 100 Years of the Girl Scouts.

Tough Cookies addresses one of our nation’s most underused resources: girls, and the women they ultimately can become. Kathy Cloninger makes a convincing case for the enormous untapped potential of America’s girls and issues a ringing call to action to girls, boys, parents, the business community and public to help females make a better, stronger and more prosperous future for all.

The Tough Cookies story is not only a celebration of leadership, citizenship, service, confidence and character, but a testament to a movement that continues to transform lives and multiply across the globe. The proceeds from Tough Cookies go to Girl Scouts of the USA. By buying your copy today you are helping us support our nation’s girls and our nation’s future. For more information, visit www.girlscouts.org/toughcookies.

Troop 10088 Shows Off Their Wearable Art

Daisy Girl Scout Troop 10088 in Decatur attended the Fancy Nancy program in Huntsville on Saturday, August 27. Daisy and Brownie troops spent two hours learning about different artists and making wearable art!

Pictured: (3rd R) Troop Leaders Heather Lawson and Lynne Cauthen; (2nd R) Samantha Borglum, Jada Burks, Alyssa Jones, Zoey Organ, Mollie MacIlveen; (1st R) Rachel Lawson Quinn Cauthen Chloe Williams, Anna Hyder, Elizabeth Crumrin

Help the Girl Scouts of Virgina Skyline Council

The Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council was selected as one of several finalists for the Pepsi Refresh Grant at the $25,000 award level. The grant was written by two GSVSC girl members, Sam and Meredith, and requests money to build the first platform tent units at Icimani Adventure Center. But we need your help! The grant recipient is selected based on the number of votes received. To vote, visit the Pepsi Refresh by following this link: www.refresheverything.com.

Once on the site, look for the project in "The Planet" section, then under the $25,000 section. The project is entitled “Inspire girls to appreciate, advocate for and protect the planet,” then simply click to vote. You can vote once a day from each email address. This is a wonderful opportunity so please remember to VOTE everyday from as many email accounts as you have and PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD to family, friends, co-workers, etc. The deadline to vote is May 31st. Pepsi awards the top 10 vote getters and we are currently number 14.

Directions:

1. Visit www.refresheverything.com/backtonature

2. Click “sign in” in the bottom left hand corner. You may sign in with your e-mail account, facebook account, or both. Use your facebook password if you sign in with facebook. Make up a password if you sign in with your e-mail account.

3. Click “Vote for this idea” in the top right hand corner.

4. The website gives each account 10 votes per day. You may not give an idea more than one vote though. The best way for us to win is if you ONLY vote for our idea.

5. Voting lasts until May 31st

6. Add this page to your “favorites” so you can vote everyday! Please tell all your friends and spread the word to help our sister Girl Scouts!

Stamp Out Hunger This Saturday

This Saturday, May 8, is the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger! Food Drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Don’t forget to leave your non-perishable food donation in a bag on/by/in your mailbox this Saturday!! Visit http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/ for more information!

Fall of the Wall

Several Girl Scouts joined CEO Trish Coghlan and other community leaders at the Fall of the Wall event hosted by the AlabamaGermany Partnership at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. College students and other groups decorated replica pieces of the wall with their impressions of the importance of this anniversary. Dr. James Tent and Thomas Hoheisel provided historical notes regarding the events that led up to November 9, 1989 and the significance of this event.

Pictured: Trish Coghlan, GSNCA CEO and Jerrica Tanner, America Hosch and Margaret Allen.

National Military Family Appreciation Month

This November, GSNCA is proud to honor the extraordinary contributions of our nation’s military families as part of National Military Family Appreciation Month. Throughout history, the unwavering support of military families has always been a source of encouragement. They face special challenges of long deployments, family separations and frequent relocations with great courage and resolve. GSNCA is fortunate to have such a strong military base in our Council. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to members of our Girl Scout family who are from military families who sacrifice so much—you are patriots, you are an inspiration and you make all the difference.

R.E.A.L. Girl Contest from Justine Magazine

Girl Scouts everywhere are encouraged to tell the world how they are Remarkable, Energetic, Aspirational Leaders by entering the Justine R.E.A.L. Girl contest where the prize is a feature in the national teen/tween lifestyle magazine, Justine. This R.E.A.L. Girl Contest is open only to Girl Scouts between the ages of 13-19, who are working to make the world a better place in their local communities and beyond. The winner will be featured in an article telling all about her activities as the R.E.A.L. Girl, and she will win a trip to the Justine offices in Memphis, Tennessee, for a professional photo shoot, as well as other fun prizes and Justine subscriptions for her troop and her school library.

Submissions will be accepted until mid-January 2010, and the finalists and winner will be selected in February. For more information and contest rules, check out: justinemagazine.com.

Justine—the magazine for teen girls—is filled with fun, positive, and empowering content including affordable fashion and beauty . . . tips to make your high school life and path to college a breeze . . . role-model-worthy celebs . . . updates on our Spark Book Club . . . and teens like you who are changing the world! To learn more, visit http://www.justinemagazine.com.

Girl Scouts Meet Condoleezza Rice!

Three Girl Scouts recently had the opportunity meet Dr. Condoleezza Rice at the annual Chairman's Dinner hosted by the Business Council of Alabama. Senior Girl Scouts Alexis Long-Daniels and Rachel Bell of Troop 208 and Ambassador Girl Scout Emily Carlton of Troop 423 led the Pledge of Allegiance at the dinner in front of 1000 business leaders and elected officials. In addtition to meeting Dr. Rice, the girls met business leaders and elected officials from around the state at a VIP reception prior to the dinner.

That's Art-Rageous!

Girls recently had the chance to let their creative side show! They discovered ways to create new colors and learned about different kinds of art techniques and created their own piece of outrageous, funky art! For more photos, click here!

Young Women’s Leadership Summit

The Young Women’s Leadership Summit will be held only Saturday October 10, 2009 at the Courtyard Marriott there is still room for more Seniors and Ambassador Girl Scouts. The program starts at 9:00am to 4:00pm. We will have door prizes, lunch and goody bags for each participant. For only $15 girls will attend 6 workshops on Standing Out in a Crowd by Lauren Goodson President Cornerstone Recruitment group, All About you, Vickie Brown Tuscaloosa City School Board, Women in History- Dr. Anna Vacca BPW State Parliamentarian, Welcome to My World- Patricia Coghlan GSNCA new CEO, Reality Check-Donna S. Cates Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch, Looking Your Best-Nicole Anderson BPW & RE/MAX Realtor. Come meet girls from all over the state!

Becoming a Leader: Girl Scout Article in Shoals Woman

Summer Jamboree!

Junior Troop 1001 preparing for the flag ceremony

The Coosa Valley's Service Area Weekend, Summer Jamboree, was an action-packed weekend! The service area was organized into color teams of older and younger girls to promote new friendships. Each team wore a different colored bandana throughout the day. Scores, by team, were tallied throughout the day and medals and ribbons were given out. Activities consisted of "land events" including archery, a badge design contest, nature table centerpiece contest, fire building, tug of war, table setting & etiquette, tent construction, obstacle course, scavenger hunt on the island, and knot tying, slip-n-slide, squirt guns, bottle filling contest, and a balloon toss! Thanks to Cynthia Smothers and Kerrie Johnson for putting together such a great weekend!

Girl Scouts Dinner and Showcase

Service Unit 35 will host the “First Annual Girl Scouts Dinner and Showcase.” In keeping with the renewal, “renaissance,” occurring with our local council, The theme is “The Renaissance: From Europe to Harlem through the Girl Scouts.” This is an opportunity for the girls to learn a little about the Renaissance of Europe and the Renaissance of Harlem while experiencing their own “rebirth” in scouting.

April 18, 2009

6:00pm – 9:00 pm

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

1418 Old Railroad Bed Road, Madison, Alabama 35757

The purpose of this event is to designate a time once a year to illuminate the skills and talents developed, nurtured, and/or enhanced by their experiences in scouting. And to enrich the public’s awareness of Girls in scouting and their talents. Come in support of the many skills and talents of our area Girl Scouts! Partake in their delicious meal served buffet style.

Cost: $8.00 per Scout or Attendee

Please visit http://www.girlscoutsnca.org/documents/GSBanquetandShowcaseRegistration.pdf for more information. Space is LIMITED!

Sports Day at University of Alabama

Eleven troops from the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama council attended Sports Day at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The event was sponsored by the Women's Athletic Department. During the event the University of Alabama's women's rowing team, volleyball team and soccer team ran clinics for the girls to learn more about their respective sports.

Junior Lock-in Proves to be Fun for All!

Fifty-four girls from Junior Troops 111, 445, 74 and 115 enjoyed an evening together filled with fun and learning. The girls, along with their leaders, watched the popular High School Musical 3 movie.

After leaving the theater, the girls headed to Asbury Methodist Church where they held a lock-in. They had a blast learning important lessons on trust and communication, thanks to an activity in the Agent of Change book. The girls were blindfolded while being verbally guided by another to complete several tasks and traverse an obstacle course.