“I remember feeling nervous at first, then feeling like I could do anything,” Girl Scout Brownie Mali B. recalls after interviewing with Former First Lady Michelle Obama during the exclusive Girl Scout “Becoming Me” event held last Thursday.
The virtual event yielded over 2,000 GCNWI Girl Scouts as over 15,000 girls council-wide connected via Zoom to embark on the journey to becoming the best version of themselves, a concept taken from Mrs. Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.
Mali got to share the spotlight with another council sister, Girl Scout Cadette Zoe H.
“As an African American, it was even more special to see someone who looks like me and all her of her accomplishments,” Zoe says. “Even at my age, she experienced some of the same things that I am going through now and how she continues to serve her community and not be afraid to dream big.”
Check out Zoe and Mali’s interview with Michelle Obama on ABC 7!
The Becoming Me event even prompted Girl Scouts across the council to gather their closest family to participate in this inspirational event:





Mrs. Obama shared her stories of triumph, citing the different journeys she took to get to where she is today. The Becoming Me event inspired Girl Scouts across the country to not be afraid to make mistakes and to use their voice to unlock the power of their unique story.
“When she reminded me that she used to be an eight year old just like me, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone and like I can grow up and become the successful baker I want to be,” Mali said.
“I learned the importance of using my voice and serving as a role model to my peers,” Zoe concluded.
Miss out on the event last week? Check out some highlights below!
Find the Becoming Me program series patches and badge on our shop site!
Join Us for the Becoming Me Program Series
The road to becoming your best self continues with a 6-8 week program series facilitated by Girl Scout GCNWI volunteers and troop leaders, coming this fall 2021 and open for registration on Tuesday, May 18!
Girls who join Girl Scouts or renew their membership for the new 2021-2022 membership year will be able to partake in the program based on the book’s themes, receive exclusive patches and participate in a national service project.
The program has been carefully crafted as a curated unit to help girls explore questions about personal strength and celebrate their own unique voice. A version of the series will be developed for each Girl Scout level, plus multilevel troops.
Register for a Becoming Me program today!
“The Becoming Me program is for every girl, whether you have been in Girl Scouts for years or just getting started. It is a great program that teaches girls to use their own voice, become their best selves, and inspire others to do the same”
– GSGCNWI Cadette, Zoe H.
Become a facilitator for the Becoming Me Program Series
Becoming Me is not just a program for girls, but a new opportunity for adults to lean in and support girls’ journeys to finding their path and reaching their full potential.
We are seeking volunteers to facilitate the Becoming Me program series and create a safe community space for girls to explore their own stories.
Volunteers can commit to just the 6-8 week virtual program series, can lead the series multiple times, or continue with a group of girls beyond the initial program to continue to explore all that Girl Scouts has to offer!
- You can choose the dates and times that work for you.
- Girl Scouts staff will provide training, a facilitator guide, and a Zoom license.
- Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana will connect you with girls who wish to participate.
