For most of us, Oct. 31 is the day our imaginations run wild with creative costumes, parties with sisters, and lots of delicious candy. (I’m partial to Kit Kats. You?). For thousands of Girl Scouts across the country, it is also the day we celebrate the birthday of Girl Scouts’ founder Juliette Gordon Low.

Juliette was known among friends as adventurous and curious, with a great sense of humor. In many ways, she reminds me of one of Kappa Delta’s founders, Lenora Ashmore Blackiston. Both women were imaginative and idealistic, and both had their sights set on creating a lasting impact. Neither of these visionary women could have known then what we know now: that their legacies would live on and eventually lead to a powerful partnership between our two organizations. Through this partnership, we have the privilege to encourage future generations of female leaders and visionaries to create their own lasting impact.

As we near Girl Scout Founder’s Day, let’s reflect on why Girl Scouts — and GIRLS — matter and how we can encourage and support them.

I’m fresh off a week at G .I.R.L. 2017, the National Convention for Girl Scouts of the USA, where I had the opportunity to hear many inspiring speakers, all sharing a similar message: girls can, and will, change the world. The convention’s central theme helped girls discover their inner G.I.R.L. — a clever acronym that stands for Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker and Leader. Now, more than ever, it’s vital to listen to the girls in our lives to find out what inspires them. We must help them discover their passion and take action on it.

With International Girls Day just around the corner, on Nov. 14, we have the perfect opportunity to empower the Girl Scouts in our community and help them see that they can be change-makers. At G.I.R.L. 2017, a new initiative was introduced: the G.I.R.L. Agenda. This nonpartisan initiative aims to inspire, prepare and mobilize girls and those who care about them to lead positive change through civic action. Using the resources from this initiative, you and your Kappa Delta sisters can reinforce to your local Girl Scouts that girls matter and their voices are important and should be heard.

opens in a new windowThe G.I.R.L. Agenda empowers…

opens in a new windowDaisy Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Kindergarten and Grade 1) to understand what it means to be a good neighbor and how neighbors can work together to help one another.

opens in a new windowBrownie Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Grades 2 and 3) to explore the meaning of a community and what makes their local communities unique.

opens in a new windowJunior Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Grades 4 and 5) to appreciate the work of their local government leaders and understand how they, too, can be involved in government.

opens in a new windowCadette Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Grades 6 to 8) to learn strategies for uniting people, even if their beliefs and values differ, to make the world a better place.

opens in a new windowSenior Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Grades 9 and 10) to investigate and understand the process through which government officials get elected.

opens in a new windowAmbassador Girl Scoutsopens PDF file (Grades 11 and 12) to find their voice and discover what it means to advocate for an issue they are passionate about.

The ideas provided in the G.I.R.L. Agenda toolkit can help enhance any programming ideas you already have in the works. I challenge you to think beyond dressing up and crafts, and go bigger. Incorporating meaningful activities will engage Girl Scouts in a way that is interesting and exciting to them. This will ensure their experience with Kappa Delta Sorority leaves a lasting impact. Who knows, that Brownie Girl Scout you work with could be a Kappa Delta chapter leader someday, and maybe even President of the United States.

Lenora once said, “Out of such pure and simple beginnings grow great and wonderful things.” I am honored to be a lifetime member of two organizations that work together to develop confidence in girls and women so they can make the world a better place.

Julie Wendell
Zeta Alpha-Texas Tech
Girl Experience Director, Girl Scouts of Western Washington

Julie credits her skills and confidence to her membership in both Girl Scouts and Kappa Delta Sorority, and is proud to represent both organizations as she empowers future generations of leaders.