Decatur Graduate Goes Gold with International Reach

Ashley, a graduate of Decatur High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Ashley earned her Gold Award for her project Healthy Starts Here. When Ashley became aware of complications children in Guatemala suffered because of poor personal hygiene, she acted. Ashley coordinated the donation of basic hygiene supplies like toothbrushes for the children, and she worked to teach the children how to maintain good personal hygiene when she traveled to the country. She made teaching plans and posters available for a local mission group to use when traveling to Guatemala. Ashley will continue to work with local dentists to make supplies available for every summer trip the group takes. Ashley’s project improved her communication and leadership skills.

“The most successful aspect of the project was getting the children excited about healthy habits,” said Ashley. “Many of them would tell me the next day that they brushed their teeth, and everyone seemed to be singing the songs I taught them about healthy habits.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Melva Tate, interim chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Ashley 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.

About Girl Scout Gold Award
The 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.

Shelton State Student and Reform Resident Haley Earns Gold Award

Haley, a freshman at Shelton State Community College, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Haley earned her Gold Award for her project Health and Wellness for Teens. She knew that Americans struggle with obesity, so she focused on educating teenagers about living healthy lifestyles. Haley held exercise classes, did puppet presentations, organized speakers, and she created informational boards and posters to spread her message. She also addressed issues like sexual assault, smoking and safety. Through her project, Haley’s planning, organizational and leadership skills have increased.

“I have learned that being knowledgeable about different topics helps you to feel informed about issues facing the community. Learning is contagious when you pass it on to others and inspire them to learn as well as participate and take control,” said Haley.

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Melva Tate, interim chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Haley 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.

About Girl Scout Gold Award
The 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 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.

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

GSNCA Goes Red!

In honor of National Wear Red day for the Go Red for Women campaign to bring awareness of heart disease in women, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is trading in their green for red! Heart disease is the number one killer of American women, and greatly affects young women. Girls need to learn early to identify risk factors which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, diabetes and smoking. The earlier they begin a healthy lifestyle, the earlier they are set up for a long and healthy life. 

From engaging in regular physical activity to eating healthy and reducing stress, you'll not only keep your heart happy, you'll put a smile on your face too! Does this sound like a major life change? Maybe it's all in how you look at it:

• For physical activity, think walking, jogging, cycling or dancing with someone you love
• For a healthy diet, think whole grains, delicious fresh fruits and more

For more information, visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/.

Publix Charities Invests in Girl Scout Healthy Living Programs

Publix Supermarket Charities recently donated $6,000 to the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama’s Healthy Living Initiative. Programs in this initiative include Girl Talk 101, Kids in the Kitchen, Mirror Mirror, Girl Power, Body Image Ads and Me, and a variety of safety and first aid programs. Thank you for your support!

Young Professionals Helped Girls Set Goals

The Leadership Circle, a group of young professionals who support the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, hosted a Career Development Workshop for girls in Birmingham’s inner-city troops on Saturday, November 1st at the YMCA Youth Center.

The workshop consisted of 6 stations (3 for Brownies and 3 for Juniors) , and each station had a speaker and an activity that the girls completed to earn a badge. Speakers talked about their field, and what goals they had to set for themselves to get into their field, and talk about what the girls can be doing NOW to reach their career goals.

Stations included Computer Science, where girls learned how to take a part a computer and learn the inner-workings of it. Also, the Financial station taught girls how to comparison shop for the best deal to make the most of their budget. The Food station taught girls how to make a healthy and fun snack!

About the Leadership Circle
Founded in 2008, the Leadership Circle consists of 30 young professionals, ages 25-35, who support the Urban Initiatives of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama through service and fundraising.