2012 is ‘Year of the Girl’
To the editor:
On March 12th, Girl Scouts of the USA will be celebrating 100 years of committed service to the girls of our nation. Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia in 1912, the first troop of Girl Scouts consisted of 18 girls. Today, Girl Scouts is the largest girl-serving organization in the United States and the rich diversity of our country is reflected in the multicultural mosaic of our 3.2 million members. Over the past century, more that 50 million women have been members of this iconic organization and an impressive two-thirds of our nation’s most accomplished women in public service, business, science, education, the arts, and community life are Girl Scout alumnae.
No other organization has done as much as Girl Scouts to help girls discover the collaborative leadership skills that inspire them to shape the future of their communities and countries. In honor of the 100th anniversary, Girl Scouts of the USA has named 2012 the “Year of the Girl” and has made a pledge that every girl in this generation will have the skills and the opportunity to reach her fullest potential.
Girl Scouts of Maine is one of 112 councils in the U.S. and serves over 16,000 girl and adult members statewide. While we remain rooted in the core values of the past, we are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive environment where each girl can sharpen her abilities and explore her interests. Just imagine what this generation of girls will do with the confidence, skills, and experience they need to make the world a better place!
For more information about joining Girl Scouts or volunteering in your community, please contact me at wburtchell@gsmaine.org or check out our website at www.girlscoutsofmaine.org
Wendy Burtchell,
membership manager
Girl Scouts of Maine
