GSSI will join nearly 3 million Girl Scouts throughout America in celebrating the 103rd Anniversary of Girl Scouting March 8-14. Girl Scouts across Southern Illinois will celebrate the 103rd anniversary by participating in a variety of local activities and events ranging from flag ceremonies at their schools, birthday party celebrations and community service projects with their troops while others will create displays highlighting Girl Scout history.
“The Girl Scout mission statement contains the words, ‘Make the world a better place.’ Our girls and volunteers continue to make that commitment – the same commitment Girl Scouts have been making for 103 years,” said Villie M. Appoo, CEO Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Girl Scouts has a very rich history of providing girls in all of our communities with a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will give them the courage, confi dence and character to make the world a better place for everyone,” Appoo added.
Girl Scout Sunday (March 8) and Girl Scout Sabbath (March 14) is when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices. Many girls will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services week’s events.
“The Girl Scout mission statement contains the words, ‘Make the world a better place.’ Our girls and volunteers continue to make that commitment – the same commitment Girl Scouts have been making for 103 years,” said Villie M. Appoo, CEO Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Girl Scouts has a very rich history of providing girls in all of our communities with a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will give them the courage, confi dence and character to make the world a better place for everyone,” Appoo added.
Girl Scout Sunday (March 8) and Girl Scout Sabbath (March 14) is when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices. Many girls will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services week’s events.
“Girl Scouting is committed to being a vital part of our communities. During Girl Scout Week, we salute all those who continue to offer their support to Girl Scouting. Their dedication is instrumental in the positive development of young people in our communities,” said Appoo. “During Girl Scout Week, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow strong and realize her full potential. But we need your help! We invite everyone – men and women – over 18 to volunteer with Girl Scouts. You don’t have to be a troop leader; even if you can only donate one hour of your time once a year, you’ll be making a great difference in the lives of girls.”
Girl Scouts started when Juliette Gordon Low returned to the United States from England, where she was involved with the Boy Scout and Girl Guides movements. She made a historic phone call to her cousin in March 1912, saying “Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” The “something” was Girl Scouts, and the first group of girls embarked on Low’s vision. Low was determined to help expand opportunities and learning for the average American girl. At a time when many girls’ paths in life were limited to their social standing, Low’s vision was to establish an organization where any American girl could expand her personal horizon by having fun, while exploring new interests and contributing to society. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912.
For more information about Girl Scout Week, please contact GSSI Communications & Marketing Manager Tricia Higgins at 800.345.6858, ext. 2143 or e-mail thiggins@gsofsi.org.
