By Devon White
For more than 90 years, Girls Scouts of America has been empowering legions of young women. Girls Scout’s mission is to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” Founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout Troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia and today her legacy continues to thrive through “extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships” that develop courage and character in girls.
In American culture it’s difficult for young women to escape the negative body images that have permeated all facets of media, therefore it’s important to combat those messages by advocating for healthy body perceptions to impressionable youth. In a new PSA video co-sponsored by Girl Scouts, celebrities challenge young women to think for themselves by asking them to not trust everything that they see portrayed in the media.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn67gixQuMo[/youtube]
The PSA also encourages critical thinking in young women, which is important because critical thinking empowers an individual to make their own informed decisions. The illogical, but critical questions that the video poses decreases dependence on others and helps young minds differentiate between fact and opinion. In a media-driven sea of fickle fashion trends and celebrity idolization, Girls Scouts is pivotal in instilling a strong sense of self-agency to the tune of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries. To learn more about the Girls Scouts of America and their role in Women’s history, visit their website.
And since I’ve managed to get through this entire post about Girl Scouting without mentioning their infamous cookies, Tagalongs anyone?, here’s a link where you can find everything from their signature cookies to their newest, sweet additions! All proceeds from cookie sales go to support the Girl Scouts in your community.