opens IMAGE file For 20 years, Kappa Delta Sorority has partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA to help “build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.” I’m constantly amazed by the reach our organization has through this partnership to develop confidence in so many.

During my Kappa Delta journey, I have seen Brownies (ages 7-10) stand taller – inspired by Kappa Deltas to follow their dreams while completing confidence-building activities. I’ve witnessed a 6-year-old Daisy earn her first fun patch ever at a Kappa Delta event– the Kappa Delta International Girls Day patch!  As leadership specialist for Girl Scouts Heart of the South Council and an advisor to Kappa Delta’s Zeta Beta Chapter at Union University, I now have an even greater appreciation and perspective on the partnership. Girl Scouts gain confidence, but so do Kappa Deltas as they develop leadership skills through planning and implementing successful Girl Scout events. Personally, the Kappa Delta Girl Scout partnership has given me the confidence to go from traveling as a Kappa Delta leadership development consultant to move to a new city to work with a local Girl Scout council.

This past year, I had the opportunity to attend G.I.R.L. 2017 — Girl Scouts of the USA’s national convention — where I was able to see the partnership in action at the national level. The Kappa Delta Foundation’s commitment to providing scholarships to Girl Scouts’ National Young Women of Distinction supports these incredible Girl Scout Gold Award winners who are creating sustainable solutions for problems locally, nationally and globally!

Recently, I was reminded of the reach of Kappa Delta’s impact through the Girl Scout partnership. While attending a Girl Scout council-sponsored leadership development program for women, the facilitator asked participants to describe the characteristics of a leader that has inspired them. One Girl Scout troop leader chose to describe her daughter as the leader that most inspires her. Her story began with a description of a visit to a Kappa Delta Girl Scout event – a campus tour. This was her daughter’s first time on a college campus, and she was so excited and eager to learn about the collegiate experience from the Kappa Deltas giving the tour. Because of this event, a spark was ignited in this young girl, and she is energized and setting goals to attend college soon. The troop leader, who had never attended college, was inspired by her daughter’s excitement and has now enrolled in classes herself. She is determined to be a strong role model for her daughter by earning her degree.

I am proud to be a part of an organization that truly fulfills its mission and vision. When Kappa Deltas come together, we are an unstoppable force that truly inspires action. Through over 229 confidence-building initiatives a year, our members touch the lives of over 14,000 Girl Scouts, but the impact does not end there.

We may never see the end results of our actions, but “just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” It continues into the lives of the volunteers and communities where these girls live and serve as Girl Scouts.

Taylor Farmer, Beta Kappa-Tennessee/Chattanooga
Leadership Specialist, Girl Scouts Heart of the South