I
remember the day I found out that I was to attend "Pathways to Politics."
It was January 8, 2004. I got an e-mail from Vicky Allen, the person in charge
of the trip. The e-mail was short. All it said was:
Dear
Juliana,
Your
acceptance letter is in the mail!
Vicky
Allen
I
was really confused. Then it struck, and I started running around so happily.
Luckily, I was the only person home or else they would have thought I had
snapped. I was SO excited. And so I started the count-down central. Since I
didn’t know anyone else who was going this was hard, but when we received the
participant list I started sending out the e-mails (it was exactly 2 months
latter) and getting everyone excited.
That
is the most important thing: BE EXCITED!!!! Get to know people and be excited.
Like today (June 24, 2004) is 16 days away from P2P, but it is 15 days away in Japan
(where a girl lives). BE EXCITED!!!!!! It is the best thing.
Girl
Scout finds merit learning about women's leadership skills
By:
Alicia B.
When
the subject of Girl Scouting comes to mind, people often make an immediate
association with three things: camping, uniforms and cookies.
Thanks to the Girl Scouts' STUDIO 2B destinations program, I was able to
discover that Girl Scouting reaches way beyond the campfire circle.
I participated in an event called "Pathways to Politics" July 11-24 at
Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Living on campus with other Girl Scouts, two of whom lived in other countries, I
worked to develop many new friendships while learning about the evolving role of
women in the leadership and political realms of our nation.
We heard from multiple speakers, ranging from Jane Swift, former governor of
Massachusetts, to the guy who designs the White house Web site (www.whitehouse.gov).
He was, however, the only male speaker.
A strong emphasis was placed on the strides women have made in getting involved
in leadership, but also how few women hold political positions in the U.S. This
problem confirmed what I have believed all along: There should be more women in
politics — not because we are women, but because we are equally capable as men
to lead.
Now I must admit, we DID have an outdoor, camp-style dinner, wear uniforms and
we baked cookies. However, the dinner on campgrounds was hosted by a local Girl
Scout troop and concluded a daylong session on political activism and advocacy.
As for the uniforms, they have improved greatly, despite popular opinions.
Donning our cargo khakis and navy zip-up oxfords, we saw the President — yes,
of the United States —and his little dog, too.
It's amazing where a Girl Scout uniform can take you.
As for the baking, this was part of a service project to make dinners for
Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, N.J. Then we met a local
official to discuss the politics of poverty and how we can help.
Having returned from this incredible excursion, I show my friends my trip
pictures and they are amazed that I did all of this through the Girl Scouts.
From checking out the historical sites in Philly, to seeing "W" board
the Marine 1 from the steps of the White House, to some great beach time at the
Jersey Shore (hey, it wasn't all politics!), I was thrilled with the experience,
but not surprised. I knew Girl Scouts was cool all along.
So let this be a heads-up to all who underestimate the potential of our Girl
Scouts: the pigtailed girls who come to your door asking for your cookie orders
today may very well be our future politicians and leaders, coming to your door
asking for your vote tomorrow.