Surrounded by family, friends, and cheers, the members of the 2020 and 2021 classes of Gold Award recipients from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) stepped into the limelight on Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6, to receive bountiful accolades for their accomplishments.
Drive-through, outdoor celebrations at both Camp Greene Wood and the Vernon Hills Gathering Place honored dedicated individual young Girl Scouts from throughout our council who poured their hearts and energy into projects that will leave a positive and lasting impact on others. Each Gold Award Girl Scout received an official certificate, a Gold Award pin, and a binder of congratulatory letters and notes.
Though celebrated in a novel way this year, due to the impact of the pandemic, each Girl Scout had a moment in the spotlight, a moment to take in car horns honking on their behalf and photo booths to forever capture the memory of outstanding accomplishments with those who supported them along the journey of achieving the Gold Award. The Girl Scout Gold Award is a major accomplishment that requires each person pursuing it to identify a community or social issue, implement a detailed project plan, and carry out the implementation of the project showcasing their leadership, public speaking, and project management skills.
Congratulations to the Gold Award Class of 2020 and 2021. We are so proud of your achievements! Keep using your voice and advocating for change.
Note: With safe distancing, girls removed their masks for photos outside.
The Gold Award Difference
Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and the doers who take “make the world a better place” to the next level. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can they make a difference, but that they already have.
Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond. Think of the Gold Award as a key that can open doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, and amazing career opportunities.
Renew by June 30 and Enjoy Exclusive Membership Perks!
Strength, resilience, togetherness, and the support of the community—that’s what Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is all about. So in this uncertain world, you can count on one thing for sure: today, tomorrow, together, we are on your team.
Explore the truth of your story and the power of your voice while hanging out with friends at our Becoming Me program series! You’ll earn three badges, unlock a patch, and take part in a national service project as part of this unique experience inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.
The Becoming Me program will walk Girl Scouts through earning three badges at each grade level specially curated from the National Program Portfolio in partnership with Penguin Random House and Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama’s Becoming Young Readers Edition. The corresponding Becoming Me program series and exclusive journal activities will offer a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts young and old to have a shared dialogue based on their own experiences.
All programs are part of a three-badge series. If you want to complete all three badges that are a part of the series, you must sign up for all three. You will not be automatically registered when you register for one.
Becoming Me Programs for Daisies
Daisy Good Neighbor| Oct. 5 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual Groups of people are called communities. You’re part of lots of communities! Your Daisy troop is one and so is your class at school. You can help your communities by being a good neighbor. Find out how in this badge workshop for Kindergarten and 1st grade Daisies. Families are invited to join this workshop to help girls discover and learn about their communities.
Daisy Outdoor Art Maker | Oct. 12 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual Daisies, join us for this virtual program to earn your Daisy Outdoor Art Maker badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Daisy Buddy Camper | Oct. 29 from 4:30-7 p.m. | In-Person Daisies, join us for this in-person program at Camp Palos to earn your Daisy Buddy Camper badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Becoming Me Programs for Brownies
Brownie Making Friends | Oct. 2 from 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. | In-Person Girl Scouts in grades 2-3 are invited to Camp Greene Wood on October 2 for the Making Friends badge workshop. Friends are another kind of family. They’re the people you have fun with and who help you when you need it. Make new friends and keep the old at this badge workshop! Sign up for the morning program » Sign up for the afternoon program »
Brownie Philanthropist Badge | Oct. 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual Brownies, join us for this virtual program to earn your Philanthropist badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Brownie Outdoor Adventurer | Oct. 29 from 4:30-7 p.m. | In-Person Brownies, join us for this in-person program at Camp Palos to earn your Brownie Outdoor Adventurer badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Becoming Me Programs for Juniors
Junior Democracy | Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual Juniors, join us for this two session virtual program to earn your Democracy for Juniors badge, part of the Becoming Me series! Girl Scouts should plan to attend both dates.
Junior Scribe | Oct. 13 and 20 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual Words are powerful tools. Great writing can make people feel encouraged, entertained, or excited. It can create fantasy worlds or preserve events from history. And just writing down your feelings actually makes you feel better! This is a two-part program for Girl Scouts who should plan to attend both dates. Additional independent time writing may be necessary to complete this badge.
Junior Trail Adventurer | Nov. 3 from 4:30-7 p.m. | In-Person Juniors, join us for this in-person program at Camp Palos to earn your Junior Trail Adventurer badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Junior August Book Club Meeting | Aug. 29 from 5-5:45 p.m. | Virtual Girl Scouts in grades 4 and 5, do you love to read? Join GSGCNWI’s Junior Book Club! Explore the truth in your own story and the power of your voice. The group will be reading and discussing Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers. Please come to the meeting having read most or all of the book.
Becoming Me Programs for Cadettes
Finding Common Ground | Sep. 30 and Oct. 7 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual Cadettes, join us for this two session virtual program to earn your Finding Common Ground badge, part of the Becoming Me series! Girl Scouts should plan to attend both dates.
Cadette Science of Happiness | Oct. 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 6 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hybrid Cadettes, join us on Thursday, October 4 and Saturday, October 6 for this two session hybrid program to earn your Science of Happiness badge, part of the Becoming Me series! We will explore ways to be happy, do a happiness experiment, and create happiness action plans.
Cadette Eco Trekker | Nov. 12 from 4:30-7 p.m. | In-Person Cadettes, join us for this in-person program at Camp Palos to earn your Eco Trekker badge, part of the Becoming Me series!
Cadette August Book Club Meeting | Aug. 28 6-7 p.m. | Virtual Girl Scouts in grades 6, 7, and 8, do you love to read? Join GSGCNWI’s Cadette Book Club! Explore the truth in your own story and the power of your voice. The group will be reading and discussing Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers. Please come to the meeting having read most or all of the book.
Becoming Me Programs for Seniors
Senior Collage Artist | Oct. 5 and Nov. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual Get ready to see the creative possibility in everyday objects: this badge workshop is an opportunity to make art as unique as you are! Girl Scouts in grades 9 and 10 are invited to this 2-part program. Girls should plan to attend both dates. Additional independent time will be necessary to finish all steps of the badge. The November 9 program will be our virtual showcase of our collages.
Senior Behind the Ballot Badge | Oct. 26 & Nov. 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual Seniors, join us for this two session virtual program to earn your Behind the Ballot badge, part of the Becoming Me series! Girl Scouts should plan to attend both dates.
Senior Women’s Health | Oct. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 16 from 4-6 p.m. | Hybrid Seniors, join us on Tuesday, October 12 and 16 for this two session hybrid program to earn your Women’s Health badge, part of the Becoming Me series! We will explore ways to be physically and mentally healthy, and delve into a women’s health topic.
Becoming Me Programs for Ambassadors
Ambassador Coaching | Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. | In-Person What does it take to motivate a team to accomplish their goals and dreams? The best coaches put their answers into action at every practice. In this badge, find your answers and share them! At this program, you’ll work to understand the important role coaches have in athletics and share your love of a sport. In this program we’ll design a coaching design and put our plan into action. Through the Coaching badge, Ambassadors take the lead as they inspire and empower others. In order to complete the Coaching badge requirements, girls will need to find a group to coach after the program; advice will be given at the program for how to find a group. Sign up for the morning program » Sign up for the afternoon program »
Ambassador Public Policy Badge | Oct. 14 and 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual Ambassadors, join us for this two session virtual program to earn your Public Policy badge, part of the Becoming Me series! Girl Scouts should plan to attend both dates.
Ambassador Eco Advocate | Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and 9 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hybrid Ambassadors, join us on Thursday, October 7 and Saturday, October 9 for this two session hybrid program to earn your Eco Advocate badge, part of the Becoming Me series! We will learn what eco advocates do, and work to advocate for our chosen causes.
Be a Part of Becoming Me When You Renew Your Membership or Register to Be a Girl Scout
Strength, resilience, togetherness, and the support of community—that’s what Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is all about. So in this uncertain world, you can count on one thing for sure: today, tomorrow, together, we are on your team. Join Girl Scouts or renew your membership today!
“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.”
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!
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.
“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.
On April 27, Juniors and Cadettes joined Groupon’s incredible team to learn about careers, listen to dad jokes, participate in hands-on activities, and speak to women in STEAM.
Spark Day programs with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) are instrumental to getting Girl Scouts hands-on career experience in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM)! When girls participate in Spark Day programs, they connect with industry professionals, participate in creative activities, and gain skills and knowledge that last a lifetime!
The keynote speaker at Groupon Spark Day, Christine, shared her and her three daughter’s individual career journeys and spoke about the importance of being true to yourself and identifying your unique skills and interests as you consider careers. Girl Scouts had the opportunity to get a little on-the-job experience through debugging, developing the perfect pitch, or taking a scavenger hunt virtual tour of Groupon’s website.
The event ended with a panel of inspiring women, who shared their stories, talked about what they love about their jobs, and introduced their pets. Girls had the opportunity to share their favorite subjects in school and what careers they are interested in.
The panel emphasized that no matter what your favorite subject is, from math to art, there are careers for you in technology. Girl Scouts left the event full of energy and excitement, saying that they hope to visit Groupon in person sometime in the near future!
Thank you, Groupon, for encouraging and inspiring Girl Scouts to explore STEAM!
As part of Kellogg’s commitment to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 and inspire healthier eating habits in children, the company is partnering with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) to create 5,000 specialty Wellbeing Boxes, filled with fun activities and information focused on educating and nurturing your physical, emotional, and societal wellbeing.
Every year many people celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by taking impactful action to help to stop climate change. But for us Girl Scouts, we took it to the next level and celebrated all of April! All Girl Scouts are stewards of the environment: it’s in the Girl Scout promise! That’s why Earth Day is so important to us at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI): we make a commitment to making the world a better place, one tree at a time.
Keep reading to find out how staff and Girl Scouts from GCNWI made the most of Earth Month!
Planet Protectors in Action
Girl Scouts got together virtually and in-person to celebrate the completion of the It’s Your Planet, Love It Journeys over the weekend. Daisies made seed bombs with native plants, Brownies enjoyed a Cadette troop’s water presentation and worked on the challenge of removing oil from water, Juniors channeled solar energy, and Cadettes constructed windmills (pictured above)!
Thanks to our Save Our Energy patch volunteer, Ivy, who met with each group to talk about how they can save energy at home. And thanks to Exelon, who provided the funding to fuel these Journeys for the planet earth!
Troop 45420 decided to dedicate their Take Action project to a community cleanup!
Girl Scouts from Troop 46004 spent the whole month learning about Earth Day in multiple ways: virtual meetings about how to protect the planet from home, planting their own seeds to help air purification in their homes, and then, they decided to use some of the money from their cookie sales to plant a tree in their local park!
Planting flowers, pulling weeds, making space to welcome new plants in the fresh air and sun: that’s how Girl Scout Troop 55532 celebrated Earth Day!
Troop 75111 celebrated Earth Day with a guided hike along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The weather held up perfectly for them to learn the history of Earth Day while being out in nature!
Girl Scout Troop 55355 completed their Bronze Award by installing bee hotels around their neighborhood! These bee hotels will serve as a home for different species of bees, bugs, and butterflies while helping to build the pollinator population.
Staff Day at Englewood Heritage Station
Girl Scouts weren’t the only ones celebrating Earth Day— our staff joined in on the action for a community service day at Englewood Heritage Station. They spent the day beautifying and rejuvenating this space together, and we have Laureen, Jakki, and Latoya, our planning committee, to thank for this awesome day out!
Take Earth Day to the Next Level
Today, millions of people around the world celebrate Earth Day by taking action, advocating, and learning how to help the Earth! We invite you to join in with the millions of other people and join in on the celebration–– and we have plenty for you to do.
With support from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, American Forests, and SciStarter, GSUSA is launching the Girl Scout Tree Promise, a national protection initiative to plant 5 million trees across the United States by 2026. Fueled by their passion for protecting and preserving our planet, Girl Scouts throughout the country will lead these efforts as well as educate the public about why trees are such an imperative piece of the climate change solution.
Girl Scouts is launching a new “Becoming Me” program series in collaboration with former First Lady Michelle Obama and Penguin Random House!
Inspired by themes from Mrs. Obama’s Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, Girl Scouts’ new Becoming Me program aims to help girls become their best selves. Check out our story on Parents.com or learn more at girlscouts.org/becomingme.
After the virtual event, we will release a six- to eight-week program series for girls in grades K-12 to earn badges that will help them explore personal strength, celebrate their own unique voice and they’ll take part in a national service project. A version of the series will be developed for each Girl Scout level, plus multilevel troops.
The Becoming Me program will be available at no additional cost to any interested Girl Scout member enrolled for the 2021–22 membership year.
For a limited time, Girl Scouts is offering a special membership deal for new and lapsed* members!
If you’ve been thinking about joining or rejoining Girl Scouts, NOW is the time to do it. Through July 31 you can pay just $35 to join Girl Scouts for this membership year AND the next—a savings of $15!
How does that work?
The current Girl Scout membership year runs October 1-Sept. 30, 2021.
Annual membership dues are $25 regardless of the time of year you join.
Right now you can pay just $10 more to extend your membership through Sept. 30, 2022, saving you 30% of the full price!
Join or rejoin today and choose the “Extended Year” membership option to take advantage of this special rate!
Girl Scout membership fees are typically $25/year, and the membership year runs October 1 – September 30 annually.
From April 1 – July 31, 2021, new and lapsed** members can pay a prorated membership rate when becoming a member through Extended Year membership. You’ll pay only $35 to finish out the current membership year AND all of the next one (normally $50 total). This prorated, 18-month membership term runs April 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022.
Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Studies show that Girl Scouts improves girls’ confidence and makes them better prepared for life’s challenges That’s because Girl Scouts is dedicated to helping girls follow their hearts while they discover new interests, strengths, and abilities. Together with their families, Girl Scouts supports girls’ dreams, growth, and success. Contact us if you have any questions about joining!
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Get excited for the membership year ahead! As an early renewal incentive, girls and adults who renew their Girl Scout membership by April 30, 2021, will be able to attend a member-exclusive virtual event with Mrs. Obama on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Becoming Me program series will be available after May 6.
Every moment is an experience that can inspire, change, and ignite us. Last week, our Girl Scout community sparked those moments for girls at the first-ever virtual Tribute to Achievement.
For over 30 years, the Tribute to Achievement annual fundraiser has been instrumental in providing financial support to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI)—and though we didn’t meet in person this time, the evening was still a monumental success.
During this year’s program, we focused on Moments that Matter: those moments in life, big or small, that forever change your future, your life, or the lives of those around you. And you, our supporters, made the Moment Matter like never before.
Featuring stories told by girls, volunteers, and staff, as well as inspiring remarks from our three honorees and visions of what’s to come from our CEO and board members, we got an insight into the past, present, and future of GSGCNWI—and we couldn’t be more excited.
Thanks to your generous donations, our council has raised more than $517,000 and counting. And if you missed out, not to worry—watch the recording of the entire event above!
Read on to learn more about the evening and how you can support our council.
Sharing Moments That Matter
Click to listen to Connie’s story!
We were inspired by the powerful moments that mattered for our girls and volunteers – and that taught us so much about what Girl Scouts really means to our communities. Hosts Sherina Edwards and Therese Malinowski introduced us to several members who shared their personal turning points: we heard from alum Therese on her powerful National Gold Award initiative Project Dandelion, from troop leader Natalie Wynn on her first year as a champion for girls, and from Camp CEO mentor and Board member Monica Weed and alum Anusha Ebrahim on the power of a happenstance moment.
Also joining us for the evening was Connie Lindsey, long-time Girl Scout supporter, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion at Northern Trust, and Past President of the Girl Scouts of the USA National Board of Directors, who shared her defining moment that changed the trajectory of her life.
It was the moment Connie’s Girl Scout troop leader told her: “You matter— you are not what is the matter,” that everything changed. “I was seen, I was heard, and I was important. That informed my leadership and commitment to service for the rest of my life.”
Reflections on 2020 & Looking Ahead
Click to listen to CEO Nancy Wright and Board President Kathy Scherer!
“2020 challenged us and it changed us,” shared CEO of GSGCNWI Nancy Wright while reflecting on the last year with Board President Kathy Scherer. And even through a year of unprecedented moments, the power of Girl Scouts kept our heartbeat as a community strong. Kathy Scherer affirmed: “Girl Scouts never give up. We personify resilience.”
The pandemic may have interrupted life as we knew it, but Girl Scouts persisted, transitioning to at-home camping experiences, quickly coordinating emergency service projects for their communities, and diving head-first into the waters of virtual programs. “Every one of those experiences taught us how much Girl Scouts really means to girls and our communities,” Nancy continued. “It’s a lifeline. A safe space. A welcome respite when life gets overwhelming.”
While we don’t know what the future has in store, we will boldly move forward as THE place to champion the needs of our girls and their families in every way we can.
Celebrating Our Honorees
Together, we celebrated three incredible honorees who have championed moments of innovation, transformation, and change for girls. Receiving the Luminary Award was Carrie Hightman, longtime GSGCNWI supporter and recently retired Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of NiSource. Polk Bros. Foundation was honored with the Girl Scouts Own Award, accepted on behalf of the organization by CEO Gillain Darlow, and the Corporate Award was given to Sidley Austin and accepted by Hille Sheppard, member of the GSGCNWI Board of Directors and co-leader of Sidley’s litigation practice.
We are so grateful to our honorees who are tremendous partners in and champions for our movement.
The Moment Still Matters
ALL supporters of GSGCNWI now have the chance to triple their impact by making a tax-deductible contribution, thanks to the $75,000 Board Match announced the evening of the event!
On a snowy President’s Day, thirty-one Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors joined Exelon employees to learn about several types of renewable energy and the incredible career opportunities in the field. Girls built windmills, watched videos of different career stories, learned how nuclear energy works, and spoke with a panel of four professionals, including engineers, a communications director, and an intern.
The girls enjoyed watching informational videos and learning about various career paths in renewable energy. Several girls noted that they learned about careers they did not know existed before. “It was very informative and interesting,” one girl said. “I actually learned something new,” said another.
As many companies work towards investing in renewable energy and lowering their carbon emissions, this program was incredibly relevant to the direction energy is taking. Girls were able to engage with women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in the career panel and hear their inspiring stories.
One panelist graduated from the same high school that a few girls are currently attending, so they connected over education as well. One girl even reached out for a further conversation with the panelist!
As part of Kellogg’s commitment to creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030 and inspire healthier eating habits in children, the company is partnering with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) to create 5,000 specialty Wellbeing Boxes, filled with fun activities and information focused on educating and nurturing your physical, emotional, and societal wellbeing.
The Moment It Matters is that one defining moment that changes everything: a conversation with a mentor that opens your eyes to a new opportunity. A last-minute decision to run for student council. It is the moment you realized who you are, what you want to do in life, and how you are changing the world for the better.
Join us on March 11 for Tribute to Achievement: The Moment it Matters, our live virtual fundraiser, to hear from Girl Scouts and honorees about the transformative moments in their lives – and the breakthroughs, failures, and changes they have faced that forever clear the way for more women and girls to follow.
Read on to meet some of the fantastic girls, volunteers, and supporters we are spotlighting at this year’s event!
Meet Therese Malinowski, National Gold Award Girl Scout and Alum
One of our hosts for the evening and a 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scout from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, is Therese Malinowski, honored for her groundbreaking work in STEM and sexual violence prevention with the creation of the world’s first comprehensive campus sexual assault database called “Project Dandelion.” She is currently continuing her project and working to grow the database to a national level. Therese has been a Girl Scout from kindergarten to adulthood, and currently attends Purdue University studying aerospace engineering.
We will also be hearing from Natalie Wynn, a first-year leader of a multi-level Girl Scout troop located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, as she tells her story of breaking into the role of troop leader. Though she is new to the organization, Natalie is already a dedicated champion of her girls, and started a brand-new troop last fall in the hopes of connecting girls in her area: “I was never a Girl Scout myself growing up, but I learned it’s never too late to be a Girl Scout.”
Meet Anusha Ebrahim, Girl Scout Alum, and Monica Weed, Girl Scout Board Member
Anusha is a current senior student at Northwestern University studying Latin Classics, and hopeful medical student. An alum of GCNWI’s premier leadership experience, Camp CEO, Anusha will share her transformational moment with her Camp CEO mentor, Girl Scout alum, and GCNWI Board member Monica Weed, when they “by happenstance” ran into each other at Camp CEO and had a conversation that changed the course of Anusha’s life. “It’s not so often young girls get to meet incredible CEOs doing amazing things with their careers and have that moment where they can be encouraged and inspired,” Anusha shared.
Monica reflected on the value of Girl Scouting in her life: “Girl Scouts took me to places, gave me opportunities, and taught me lessons that I would not otherwise have experienced. Girl Scouts made me a stronger, more self reliant, curious, confident, daring, and empathetic person, than I believe I would have become.”
Hear all of these stories and more at Tribute to Achievement: The Moment It Matters!
Each year Girl Scouts across the country come together to celebrate Girl Scout Week, which is observed the week around March 12- the “Girl Scout Birthday”- and is filled with many traditions.
This year we’re breaking the mold and celebrating the ENTIRE MONTH! Frankly, after the year we’ve all had, seven days isn’t enough for us to say thank you to you all for keeping the Girl Scout heartbeat strong.
Girl Scout Week- With Girl Scout Sunday, Sabbath, Jummah, Girl Scout Birthday and more!
#GIRLFest- virtual program for all ages!
The first ever Girl Scout Picture Day!
Meet our CEO and Board President!
Read on for an overview of everything happening this month!
Spring and Summer Programs are Open Now!
To kickoff Girl Scout Month, current GCNWI members can get a FREE Wellbeing Kit when you register for a GCNWI program! We are so excited to share with all the amazing programs we have in store, including new opportunities in outdoor programming, STEAM, leadership, social-emotional learning and more!
Get empowered and celebrate this week by participating in the daily activities below!
Sunday, March 7: Girl Scout Empowerment Sunday
Wear your Girl Scout uniform to worship. Talk with your Girl Scout sisters and family to connect with a local place of worship and learn about how Girl Scouts can be represented on Girl Scout Sunday.
To help you engage your community of worship during Girl Scout Week, downloadable assets for bulletins and inserts are available here!
Get your ‘My Promise, My Faith’ Award. Work with your family and faith leaders to gain the pin to celebrate the connection between the Girl Scout Promise and Law and your faith.
This International Women’s Day we’re empowering girls to speak up! We’re teaming up with The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to encourage girls to know their rights and challenge those who abuse them.
Participate in the #ChooseToChallenge creative challenge and express the change you wish to see through music, video or photography. Submit your challenge or share those ideas with your troop sisters or family.
For girls: We’ve teamed up with Kellogg’s to help keep our girls’ mind clear, sharp and stress-free. Learn more about our Kelloggs wellbeing kit and become eligible to get one free when you sign up for a program!
Watch our series of Mindful Monday videos on YouTube to learn how you can practice mindfulness and positive mental health.
Wednesday, March 10: Empowered to Do Good with UNICEF and Get Outdoors!
Give back while taking part in fun activities at your next virtual meeting or family gathering with UNICEF Kid Power!
Sign up for UNICEF Kid Power for free and gain access to over 150 videos of fun activities like dance routines, workouts, yoga and more!
By participating with this program, your troop can unlock virtual coins to support food banks and will help to support other socially responsible initiatives.
Think about a time when you felt really empowered after attending a Girl Scout event or experience.
Recall that story with a friend who is not a Girl Scout and invite them to try Girl Scouts for free!
Invite friends to celebrate Girl Scout birthday with you tomorrow and learn more about how Juliette Gordon Low became empowered to make a difference for all girls!
Friday, March 12: Girl Scout Birthday and Girl Scout Jummah
Empower new families to learn more about Girl Scouts and gain access to the Girl Scout Experience.
Make a gift of $10 in honor of our founding year, and receive the Family Partnership fun patch! Donations will go towards helping girls who are facing hardships become Girl Scouts.
Saturday, March 13: Attend #GirlFest and Girl Scout Sabbath
This virtual event will highlight subject-area pathways including STEAM, cultural awareness, outdoors, and active citizenship. Each pathway will feature one hour of programming with multiple fun, girl-led, grade-level- appropriate, and interactive sessions in each pathway, as well as multiple “Mindful Minute” commercial breaks – a chance to close your eyes, breathe, and relax!
Want to have even more fun? Add on our #GIRLfest Event Kit at checkout. This kit will include a patch, t-shirt, and other fun things to help you participate in each pathway.
After attending #GIRLFest, take a moment to rest and reflect on all your work with Girl Scouts. Let those moments inspire you to create new and innovative ways to empower others on what it means to be a Girl Scout.
Grab your favorite Girl Scout gear and get ready for Girl Scout picture day March 12 and 13! Take a picture wearing your Girl Scout gear and send it to us via social media or the submit your story link using the hashtag #girlscoutpictureday to win cool prizes!
Jazz up your photos and use our virtual photo booth that will available on both days. Be sure to check our social media pages for more photo booth information.
Meet the GCNWI CEO and Board President
Celebrate our first ever Girl Scout Month with a virtual meet and greet with the Girl Scout GCNWI CEO, Nancy Wright, and outgoing Board President, Kathy Scherer on March 23 at 6p.m! Grab a snack, your favorite warm drink, and favorite stuffed animal or pet and settle in for a fun evening.
All girls in attendance will receive a free “I Met the CEO” patch and “Future Board Member” patch that will be mailed to your home after the program.
