Girl Scouts Honors Ashlee McGee with the Medal of Honor for Remarkable Lifesaving Act
September 28, 2023
Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin — Girl Scouts proudly recognizes Ashlee McGee—Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Junior Girl Scout—from Ashwaubenon, WI, for her exceptional display of quick thinking, decision-making, and heroism in a critical situation. Ashlee has been awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor, one of the highest accolades given to girls who exhibit extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
Dating back to 1913, the handbook titled "How Girls Can
Help Their Country" listed two medals that girls could earn for
meritorious deeds involving saving lives: the Bronze Cross, presented
when a girl had shown special heroism or had faced extraordinary risk
of her own life to save another’s life, and the Silver Cross,
presented for gallantry with considerable risk to a girl’s life. Even
after 110 years, the tradition of recognizing the heroic efforts of
Girl Scouts through Lifesaving Awards continues, with the Bronze Cross
and the Medal of Honor now serving as the modern-day equivalents.
Ashlee’s courageous actions unfolded when she was at home
with her sister and mother, who suddenly began experiencing symptoms
of a stroke. In the midst of the emergency, Ashlee exhibited
remarkable composure and took charge of the situation. Recognizing her
mother's irregular facial features and impaired speech, she
immediately alerted her older sister, and together they contacted
emergency services.
Despite the high-pressure circumstances, Ashlee assumed responsibility for the 911 call. With unwavering calmness, she relayed crucial information to the dispatcher, accurately described her mother's condition, performed necessary tests as directed, and provided vital details to ensure prompt and efficient help arrived. Throughout the ordeal, Ashlee remained attentive to her mother's well-being, embodying the true spirit of heroism.
Attaining a Lifesaving Award requires girls to submit a comprehensive application outlining the events leading up to and following the rescue. These awards are exceptionally rare, with our council averaging one or fewer recipients yearly.
Girl Scouts is privileged to present Ashlee McGee with the National Medal of Honor award, symbolizing her selflessness, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Ashlee's exemplary act inspires girls everywhere, illustrating the profound impact that one person, regardless of age, can have on their community.
###
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) partners with
5,000 volunteers and servesapproximately 10,000 girls, covering 58
counties across central and northwestern Wisconsin and Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula. For more information on how to join, volunteer,
reconnect, or donate, call
888.747.6945 or visit gsnwgl.org.
GSNWGL is a proud United Way partner program.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a
better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all
backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they
discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they
want to climb to the top of a
tree or the top of their class,
lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or
make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers,
mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find
their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to
them.
