Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will join nearly 3 million Girl
Scouts throughout America in celebrating the 104th Anniversary of
Girl Scouting March 6-12.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will
celebrate the 104th anniversary by participating in a variety of local
activities and events. Girl Scouts often
celebrate the occasion in their communities by participating in such events as
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 law and mission statement
both focus on making the world a better place.
During our 104 year history, our girls and volunteers have continued to
live by this standard,” said Villie M. Appoo, CEO Girl Scouts of Southern
Illinois. “Girl Scouts are passionate
about making their communities and the world a better place, and the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience gives them the courage, confidence and character to
follow their dreams,” Appoo added.
Girl Scout Sunday (March 6) 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 to kick-off the week’s events.
“Girl Scouting is committed to being a
vital part of our communities. During
Girl Scout Week, we salute and thank all those who continue to offer their
support to Girl Scouting. The positive
influence Girl Scouting has on young people is dependent on our dedicated
volunteers and supportive community members,” 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.”
It’s been 104 years since the first Girl
Scout troop meeting, and Girl Scouting has evolved from 18 members to nearly 3
million nationwide. Today, Girl Scouts
of the USA is the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world. Its sole focus is to meet the needs of all
girls (ages 5-17) from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic
backgrounds.
After returning to the United States from England, Juliette Gordon Low made a
historic phone call to her cousin in March 1912, “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.
The mission of Girl Scouting states: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage,
confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts is the world's
pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an
accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for
success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls
develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about
their own potential and self-worth.
Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping
and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity,
good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.
Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship
and power of girls together.
Girl Scouting has inspired more than 59
million girls and women since its founding in 1912.
