While data is not destiny, many girls are falling behind in America

First-of-its-kind report illustrates steep socioeconomic challenges faced by emerging majority in U.S.

 Although girls in the United States have made substantial progress in the classroom and elsewhere, persistent disparities and challenges exist that could keep many girls from achieving their full potential. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latina girls are far more likely than their white counterparts to face an array of socioeconomic hurdles that range from growing up in poverty or a low-income household to dropping out of school and struggling with obesity, according to a report released this week by the Girl Scout Research Institute.

 The State of Girls: Unfinished Business charts the often-vast disparities that cleave the girl experience along racial and ethnic lines. For example, the report finds that poverty rates among black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, and Native American girls ages 5 to 17 are more than twice that of white and Asian American girls. In the United States today, 21 percent of all girls live in poverty, and the rates are higher for black/African American girls (37 percent), Hispanic/Latina girls (33 percent), and American Indian/Alaska Native girls (34 percent), as compared to white girls (12 percent).

 “These findings underlie how vital it is that our organization continue to invest in and enhance our programs that provide support for our populations of girls at risk,” said Gail McNutt, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. “Programs such as Reaching Out bring resources and the Girl Scout leadership message into schools and other venues where girls are dealing with these increasing socioeconomic stresses.” (more…)

In September the Green Bay Service Center property received an accepted offer from the Green Bay Area Public School District. Since that time, our Council has been exploring appropriate options to relocate our Green Bay presence and is currently negotiating a lease on Green Bay’s east side on Curry Court. The Green Bay Area Public School District has agreed to extend the closing date on the Finger Road property to March 3, 2014. Both the move date and the intended location are subject to change and we will keep our volunteers and families apprised of any new developments. For questions or further  information on the Council’s Long Range Property Plans, please visit here.

Serving on our board of directors is a fantastic leadership opportunity for older girls! We are seeking 2014-2015 applications from Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (ages 16-18) to serve as non-voting members on our board. We are also inviting Girl Scouts ages 14-18 to apply to join a Council board committee. Applications are due Friday, December 6 and girls will be elected at our Annual Meeting on April 12, 2014. If you know any girls who may excel in these positions and meet the age requirement, please encourage them to apply or fill out this recommendation form. Learn more on our governance page or contact Theresa at 888.747.6945 or tbrady@gsnwgl.org. Additionally, girls interested in this opportunity may also want to consider attending our National Council Session and National Convention in Salt Lake City (cost is covered by our Council for voting members to attend).

This fall, we are running two exciting contests for girls and volunteers to win big by inviting friends to join Girl Scouts!

For girls: Now through December 1, any friend who joins and is completely new to Girl Scouts will enter you and your troop into a drawing for a movie package! The winning girl will receive three DVDs, movie snacks, two passes to your local movie theater, a Girl Scout T-shirt, and a $100 gift card for your local movie theater for your troop to go out to the movies together! To enter, email bringafriend@gsnwgl.org by December 1 and include your name, troop number, and the name of the new Girl Scout(s) you recruited. You will be entered once for each new girl you recruit!

For volunteers: Now through November 20, any new Daisy, Brownie, or Junior troop leader or co-leader you recruit will enter you to win one of three troop adventures: (more…)