Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Don’t underestimate the power of Girl Scouts.

Think about all of the former Girl Scouts that have made a difference in our world today.

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, actress and comedienne Lucille Ball, astronaut Sally Ride, entertainment maven Martha Stewart and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice were all Girl Scouts.

Former first ladies Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush earned Girl Scout badges once in their lifetime.

So, too, did former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

No doubt about it, Girl Scouting is the common thread that links these women and so many others together.

Local Girl Scouts, such as Jakira Wesley, Layla Wesley and Gabbie Brooks can look to these women and be inspired to excel in whatever career they choose to pursue.

But Jakira, Layla, Gabbie and other local Girl Scouts do not have to look very far for inspiration.

Natchez has its own special connection to the Girl Scouts. Grace MacNeil, owner of Elms Court, was the national president of Girl Scouts from 1969 to 1972. While she was president, MacNeil led the organization to significant growth in membership — to some 3.9 million members. MacNeil also began a national Girl Scouts program to educate scouts about the environment.

Thanks to leaders like Grace MacNeil, Girl Scouts continue to instill courage, confidence and character for girls across the globe. In short, Girl Scouts shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

Today is the organization’s 108th year of preparing young girls for a lifetime of leadership.

So, Happy Birthday Girl Scouts! May there be many more.