Go-getter. Innovator. Risk-taker. Leader.  We are Girl Scouts.

What do 55% of women in Congress, four of the six current female governors, every female secretary of state in U.S. history, more than half of female entrepreneurs and business owners and virtually every female astronaut have in common?

They are all Girl Scout alumni. In fact, an amazing 64% percent of today’s women leaders in the United States (civic, corporate, political, etc.) were once Girl Scouts.

At Girl Scouts, girls prepare for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure in a safe, no-limits place designed for and by girls. How? Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience — a collection of engaging, challenging and fun activities exploring science and technology, developing outdoor skills such as camping, environmental stewardship, and adventure sports, learning entrepreneurship skill and making a difference in their communities and the world.

Girls get to lead their own adventure and team up with other girls in an all-girl environment to choose the exciting, hands-on activities that interest them the most. The idea is to learn by doing, and at Girl Scouts, girls do lots of it. They will be inspired to discover their talents and passions in a safe and supportive all-girl setting. They will join with other Girl Scouts and people in her community — and together, they’ll take action to change the world.

Along the way, girls gain important skills in four areas that form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); Outdoors; Life Skills; and Entrepreneurship.  While they may be exposed to these subjects at school, in other youth programs, or even on their own, at Girl Scouts they will experience them in a unique way that puts them on a path to a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. And because our program is girl-led, girls decide what they’ll do, together.

At Girl Scouts, “Can I?” quickly turns into “I will!” as girls transform their ideas into action, turn their questions into adventure and grow their confidence through practice. And with more than 60 million other GIRLs to cheer them on every step of the way, there’s no limit to what they can — and will — accomplish.

Being a Girl Scout helps girls thrive in five key ways. As a Girl Scout, she develops a strong sense of self, displays positive values, seeks challenges and learns from setbacks, forms and maintains healthy relationships and learns to identify and solve problems in her community.

Leadership development is a key component to the program.  Through the Girl Scout highest awards program, girls in sixth-through 12th-grade identify community issues and work to create meaningful, sustainable solutions.

Recognized as Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Girl Scouts, these girls are changing their communities through meaningful action. For example, in 2019 Mississippi Gold Award Scouts created a nature trail in a community park, published a book on the five stages of grief for children, developed a self-defense course, and addressed child sex trafficking, homelessness and much more.

Girl Scouts isn’t just for girls. Adults can become volunteers and work with troops, assist with programs or become a leader. They can sponsor an activity, provide mentoring opportunities and share their skills and talents.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, we will be hosting a kick-off for our Community Girl Scout troop for girls in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Golf building at Duncan Park. The cost of membership is $25 a year. The troop will be led by Matilda Stephens, program manager for Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi. Girls and adults can register prior to the event at www.gsgms.org (troop number is 3745) or sign up on site.

Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, Sept. 22! For further information or questions please email mstephens@gsgms.org.

Matilda Stephens, program manager for Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.