qm_spring

irginia

apitol

onnections

, S

pring

2016

Girl Scouts Visit Capitol Square

Girl Scouts once again gathered this year on Capitol Square to

meet, greet, learn, and be recognized for their many accomplishments.

Virginia Girl Scout councils which include Colonial Coast, Nation’s

Capital, Skyline, Commonwealth and Chesapeake hosted a reception

for legislators at theVirginia General Assembly Building on February

22. The Girl Scout delegation represented the nearly 100,000 girls

and more than 40,000 volunteers are Girl Scout members in the

Commonwealth.

This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts

highest award—the Gold Award, an exhibit was placed in the GAB

throughout the legislative session. It was on view on the 5th floor

where the reception was held. Gold Awardees from each council

were on hand at the reception to talk to legislators about their Gold

Award projects which require nearly 100 hours dedicated towards a

community service effort.

The Girl Scout delegation also took action as advocates and

visited legislators to discuss House Bill 942. The bill, which was

introduced by patrons Delegate Tony Wilt who serves the 26th

District and co-patron Delegate Brenda Pogge who serves the 96th

District, was drafted to help youth serving organizations such as Girl

Scouts and Boy Scouts gain access to schools during the school day

for the purpose of making students and families aware of programs

offered by these groups.

Other issues discussed with legislators included supporting

girls’ exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math

(STEM); strengthening girls’ financial literacy skills; reducing

bullying/relational aggression, and supporting a thriving nonprofit

community.

After mingling with legislators, the Girl Scouts were introduced

in the House by Girl Scout alumnae Delegate Daun Hester from

Norfolk and in the Senate by Senator Janet Howell from Reston. In

the afternoon, they toured the Governor’s Mansion and attended a tea

hosted by Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife, Pam Northam. Some

prestigious Girl Scout alumnae who serve on the Governor’s cabinet

joined them—Secretary of Education Anne Holton; Secretary of

Administration Nancy Rodrigues; Secretary of Technology Karen

Jackson and honorary Girl Scout Secretary of Natural Resources and

former Hampton City Mayor Molly Ward.

The day was a learning experience for all involved—

Girl Scouts and legislators!