Your Monthly Donor Impact Report |
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Everywhere I go, I meet Girl Scout alums who are eager to share a story about how Girl Scouts shaped the person they are today. This is just as true for the Fortune 500 CEO as it is for the dedicated community volunteer who leads her neighborhood Girl Scout troop.
The recently released study, The Girl Scout Alum Difference: A Lifetime of Courage, Confidence, and Character, shows how Girl Scouting provides a foundation for a lifetime. Girl Scout alums are more likely than their peers to attain college degrees, have a successful career, and lead a satisfying life. In fact, seven in ten Girl Scout alums say Girl Scouts had a positive impact on their lives. This number goes up to nine in ten for girls who stay in Girl Scouts for at least seven years.
This month's newsletter is all about Girl Scout alums and the amazing things they have achieved. You'll meet Megan Gardam, a Girl Scout supporter who is still friends with her Girl Scout troop from first grade. You'll meet Gillian, a Girl Scout alum and recent high school graduate who's taking the STEM world by storm. Finally, you'll learn about GIRL at Work, a career readiness program that is preparing future Girl Scout alums for a successful life.
One thing is clear -- the longer a girl stays in Girl Scouts, the further she goes in life. This is where you come in. Every donation to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio insures that a girl can join the Girl Scouts and receive the support to stay in Girl Scouting over time. You are the spark that is lighting the way for girls to have bright futures. Thank you.
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Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
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You helped Gillian learn the "Power of Me"
When Gillian, an Ambassador Girl Scout from Vandalia, walked across the stage on May 24 and graduated from high school, many things crossed her mind.
First, she thought about her future at Kent State University where she will major in Mechatronic Engineering. Second, she reminisced over time in Girl Scouts. “Girl Scouts will stay with me my whole life," Gillian says. "I've achieved more than I ever thought possible.”
During Gillian's time with Girl Scouts, she earned two Highest Awards, she started and coached a robotics team for girls from rural Ohio, she helped plan the first-ever Girl Scouts hackathon, and she joined the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio board of directors. Program Director Sarah Kelly said, “I’ve seen Gillian move from a quiet, shy second grader to a young woman who can talk about STEM in front of hundreds of people."
"Girl Scouts doesn't just teach the value of we, it teaches the power of me," Gillian says. "My Girl Scout experience made me a leader and encouraged me to be a positive influence on others, especially when it comes to introducing younger girls to STEM. Without Girl Scouts, I wouldn't be the confident woman I am today. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here."
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The recently released Girl Scout alumnae report demonstrates the power of Girl Scouting and the positive impact it has on the lives and futures of girls and women. Click here to read the full report or here to read the executive summary. Want to learn more about how Girl Scouts changes lives? View all of our research here.
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You are empowering today's girls to become tomorrow's workforce
Jamie is a human resources manager at a bank in southwest Ohio who recently began volunteering with Girl Scouts. When asked why she became a volunteer, she had a surprising answer.
"I'm excited to help girls, but I'm also here to help build a talent pipeline for my bank. Girl Scouts does a great job teaching soft skills such as interpersonal communication, creative leadership, persistence, problem solving, work ethic, and critical thinking. Many job seekers are missing these skills and I want these girls to stand above the rest when they go into the workforce." Jamie says.
The program Jamie is helping with is G.I.R.L. at Work, a workforce development program for Girl Scouts in grades 9-12. At G.I.R.L at Work, girls are mentored by female professionals, create resumes and cover letters, participate in mock interviews, learn self-branding, and explore financial literacy. By teaching girls these soft skills now, they will be more prepared for successful futures.
This month, G.I.R.L. at Work will have its annual gathering at Innovation Space at the Dayton Arcade, a recently launched entrepreneurship and social enterprise hub designed to bring economic development to downtown Dayton. G.I.R.L. at Work will be one of the first events held at this transformative space, which seems appropriate because these Girl Scouts are the future changemakers who will work at this space!
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Donor Spotlight: Megan Gardam
When Lifetime Girl Scout member and Juliette Gordon Low Society member Megan Gardam thinks about Girl Scouts, the first thing that comes to mind is sisterhood.
"I am still friends with my Girl Scout troop from first grade. To this day I can’t imagine what my childhood would have been like without my Girl Scout sisters," Megan says. "These strong women have shaped me into the person I am today and helped me achieve my dreams and goals."
As a lifelong Girl Scout, Megan's Girl Scout journey has been eclectic. She's mentored Daisy Girl Scouts, trained adult leaders, and helped transform the lives of countless current and alum Girl Scouts. Presently, Megan serves on the Gold Award committee, helping high school aged Girl Scouts give back to their community and earn the Gold Award, an honor only held by 5% of Girl Scouts worldwide.
A few years ago, Megan joined the Juliette Gordon Low Society by making a planned gift to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Megan felt honored to be able to make this lasting impact. She believes that Girl Scouting is evolving to serve current and future female leaders in a way that no other organization can.
"I love Girl Scouts," Megan says. "I am proud to still be learning, growing, and mentoring both myself and other females to be women of courage, confidence, and character”.
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In her own words... what Girl Scouts means to alums |
"For me, Girl Scouts is more than a nonprofit or a volunteer experience to give back – it’s a critical part of my life and legacy. I attribute much of my success as a manufacturing and supply chain leader, sustainability expert, and executive to the leadership and management skills I learned and achieved while in Girl Scouts.”
- Ellen Iobst, President, IOBST Supply Chain Consulting LLC
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Ellen Iobst is a senior executive, small business owner, STEM leader, Gold Award Girl Scout, Girl Scout parent, Girl Scout board member and volunteer, and generous donor who attributes her success to her time in Girl Scouts! |
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Thank you for investing in girls, and supporting the visionary doers, innovators, creators and thinkers of tomorrow. Together, we can help girls discover their untapped potential and build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Make a gift today!
In Honor of Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low, you can leave a gift that will impact girls for generations. Learn more about planned giving through the Juliette Gordon Low Society.
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