The one thing I love most about the work I do at Girl Scouts is hearing the remarkable stories of women of all ages who are excited to share their memories as a Girl Scout. Whether you were a Brownie for a short time, spent a few summers at camp, made it all the way to their Gold Award, or first started as a troop leader, Girl Scouts has likely affected your life in great ways.
Most of the time these stories come when I least expect it – when I’m out in the community gathering supplies for my next event, volunteering, or even just chatting with someone at the grocery store – but that seems to be the magic of the Girl Scout experience! So many of us have been part of this movement, in one way or another. It is amazing to see how Girl Scouts has helped countless girls and women in our community grow into confident, strong, and determined leaders —even if they aren’t fully aware of it.
Sometimes, these interactions lead to deeper conversations about the state of girls today and the work that still has to be done in order to help all girls and women realize their potential. I hear concerns for our girls today – girls who face real challenges related to health and wellness, financial stability, and gaps in confidence and ability. When it comes to leadership, we’ve seen the alarming stats, and you probably have too.
Here at River Valleys, we know that girls need opportunities to lead – to take healthy risks, challenge themselves, and expand their perceptions of their own abilities. Our program provides these types of opportunities. In Girl Scouts,
96% of girls try new things.
90% grow more confident.
80% form positive connections with girls and women across all ages and life stages.
As young women and adult professionals, our Girl Scouts are more likely to:
Practice proficiency in a variety of skills and interests (business, STEM, arts/creative, social impact, environment).
Exercise empathy and emotional intelligence.
Set ambitious goals and think about the future.
Be financially independent.
Form stronger female networks personally and professionally.
Be civically and politically engaged locally and globally.
Advocate for herself and others.
Girls Need Great Leaders!
These are HUGE outcomes, where we can see all the positive things that Girl Scouts does to make leadership a priority for girls, but we couldn’t do it without the driving force behind the Girl Scout Movement—YOU! A special thank you to our leaders and parents, for being a girl’s teacher, role model, and her example for what leadership can be. Your everyday actions provide the care and attention girls need to feel loved and supported and to grow in confidence to become future leaders. It is your mentorship that is paving the way for girls to be their best selves and change the world!
Ashleyn Przedwiecki – Ashleyn is the Events and Communications Specialist for River Valleys, where she does all the behind the scenes work in making stories come alive at our GSRV fundraising events! She graduated from La Crosse University with a BA in communications studies and social advocacy, and with her background in theater, design, and production, she puts her storytelling skills to the test with large events like Women of Distinction and Over the Edge. She is passionate about connecting generations of individuals ready to make personal changes for social good using art, music, and fashion and is the founder of a small organization on sustainable fashion. When not exploring theatrical and cultural events, she can be found cooking vegan recipes, sewing, reading, and swing dancing.