Across the country, young girls and their families are engaged in selling Girl Scout cookies. While it may seem that selling cookies is the primary activity of Girl Scouts, it is, in fact, much more than that.
Over the years, Girl Scouts have shown a more progressive approach than Boy Scouts, serving as a valuable pipeline for the development of young women into community leaders.
Joining the Girl Scouts is a quintessential American tradition for girls. From former First Lady Michelle Obama to retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, numerous American leaders have been part of a Girl Scout troop.
In 2011, the Girl Scouts of the United States of America appointed Anna Maria Chávez, a Mexican-American lawyer from Eloy, Arizona, as their CEO. Chávez made history as the first Latina (or woman of color) to lead the organization in its 113-year history.
Chávez, a Yale University history graduate, and University of Arizona law alumna had previously worked for the federal and Arizona state governments before returning to the Girl Scouts in 2009.
Her leadership might be a glimpse of the future. A recent report by the Girl Scouts predicts that by 2030, one in three girls in the country will be Latina, up from one in five today.
This organization has seen diverse leadership, with a Latina and an Asian woman holding the CEO position. Bonnie Barczykowski is the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, effective February 13, 2023.
In Puerto Rico, there is a strong tradition of young girls participating in an empowering program, often accompanied by their mothers.
These girls set up folding tables adorned with a diverse array of delicious cookies at various businesses. Bedecked in their jackets and sashes, displaying badges earned for achievements in archery, cooking, writing, community service, environmental protection, and other significant areas, they showcase their dedication and accomplishments.
During my travels in Arizona this year, I had the pleasure of meeting several Girl Scouts and their mothers while indulging in peanut butter cookies—perhaps not the best choice for my diet, but certainly a delight for my peanut butter addiction. What impressed me most was the pride these young women took in the work they did to earn those badges.
When I asked a Girl Scout in Phoenix, who sported beautiful long brown hair, which badge on her vest she was most proud of among the over 30, she pointed to one towards the bottom left, saying, «A year ago, I knew a girl who lost all her hair to cancer; so I cut all my hair and donated it so that she might have a wig made of real hair to wear.» I was humbled by the courage and insight of this young lady.
It’s evident that, regardless of the method, we must invest in young girls to give them every opportunity to reach their full potential. Growing up in poverty with my nine sisters and two brothers, I now realize how challenging life was for young Latina girls.
We must give every girl a chance to develop, ensuring that our world will be blessed by their leadership in the future.
