Advocacy

Ad-vo-ca-cy: The act of pleading or arguing in favor of a cause or idea.

As a Girl Scout, you probably hear the words take action a lot.
What does that mean? Another word used for take action is
advocacy or to advocate. Advocacy can mean: a person
speaking out for a cause or idea. An advocate can be a
lawyer, a doctor, a mom, a teacher…or a girl just like you!

Building a better life for others.

Be inspired by others.

The power of girls together can change the world!

Did You Know?

• The first Girl Scout handbook was published in 1913 and was entitled: How Girls Can Help Their Country.

• Congress chartered the Girl Scouts in March 1950.

• In Savannah, Georgia, in 1983, the second federal building named after a woman was declared the Juliette Gordon Low Federal Complex.

• Two-thirds of female members of Congress have been Girl Scouts.

• In 2001, the first Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop – Troop Capitol Hill – was convened and is currently comprised of all women members of Congress.

• Girls for the World Internship

  

  As a Girl for the World Intern, you learn how to become an expert advocate, from research, hands on field experience, to an inside view of the New York Legislature. You have a voice and can be heard!

  “Visiting the Legislature and Women’s Caucus was a very rewarding experience. I got to shadow Congresswoman Janet Duprey from the 115th county. I was very interesting to see Mrs. Duprey  in her moment doing her job. I was also able to sit in on session, where I was introduced and the other girls and I witnessed arguments over bills and the passing of some. The experience was truly rewarding and I thank Mrs. Duprey and Girl Scouts for giving me this amazing opportunity to see how our government actually operates day to day.”

  - Alexia Holden

  

  “Going to the State Capitol and shadowing a legislator far surpassed my expectations. Instead of being a super busy person who would shuffle me off with interns, Patricia Fahy was a warm and friendly woman who cared about my interests. No doubt, she was extremely busy but we had a great time! I had such an amazing experience and even thought I want to go into medicine and the health care professions. I have a new appreciation for government and politics.”

  - Kathryn Fortune

  Julia Pressley with Assemblewoman, Sandy Galef

• What does Advocacy mean to GSUSA?

  Girl Scouts of the USA first established a Public Policy and Advocacy office in 1952. Since that time, the organization has worked to build strong relationships with Members of Congress, as well as with officials at the White House and federal departments and agencies. Through our advocacy efforts, we inform and educate key representatives of the government’s legislative and executive branches about issues important to girls and Girl Scouting and lobby for increased program resources.

  We have established an important partnership in Congress with the Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop, Troop Capitol Hill, comprised of women Members of Congress. Members of Troop Capitol Hill have made a commitment to help Girl Scouts substantively address issues important to girls and Girl Scouting on a national level.

  Girl Scouts of the USA’s advocacy efforts help demonstrate to lawmakers that Girl Scouts is a resource and an authority on issues affecting girls. Based on almost 100 years of experience and developed from extensive research, the Girl Scout Public Policy and
  Advocacy Office:

  • Encourages girls’ healthy living through combating Relational Aggression and promoting girl-positive media images;

  • Ensures girls feel emotionally and physically safe;

  • Promotes girls’ involvement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM);

  • Develops financial literacy skills; and

  • Gives a voice to girls in under-served communities.