Making Leaders: Girl Scouts Are More Than Cookies

By S.T. Boyer
stboyernews@gmail.com
The perception of the Girl Scout is often that of troops going door-to-door selling cookies, but as Tuesday morning's Leaders in the Making breakfast demonstrated, the Girl Scouts are more than just cookies.

This was the eighth annual breakfast from the Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council, Inc. Participants in the breakfast included approximately 450 women and men from all over the area, committed to the goal of increasing awareness of the Girl Scouts programs for at-risk girls.

Sherri Weidman, the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council, said the Girl Scouts play an important role in empowering young girls with the attributes of Courage, Confidence and Character.

"It is an important time with girls facing peer pressure, negative media messages and negative body images," Weidman said. "They need Girl Scouts to help meet the challenges of growing up in today's world."

According to Weidman's statistics, 63% of all girls are bullied. One in four girls has an STD, and suicide is up 67% in girls ages 1014. Weidman called this reality check uncomfortable but necessary.

"We should not be lulled into thinking this doesn't affect us personally," Weidman said. "The cost of prevention now saves costs to society in the future."
Costs are increasing and funding for the Girl Scouts is down. In 2007, the number of sites for Girl Scouts progams was down by almost half from what it was in 2006. Weidman attributed this to the reduced amount of funding available through grants and a less stable economy.

Beverley Danusis is the inventor of Sophia Dolls, a line of dolls geared toward girls that focuses on strong women role models. Danusis said the dolls offer a chance for girls to be empowered, unlike many other toys. Danusis started the company because she thought too many girls got the wrong message.

Sophia Dolls was recently approved to use Girl Scouts as its charity, so a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit the Girl Scouts. George Danusis, the president and CEO of the Sophia Dolls parent company Nea Matia, Inc. also attended the breakfast. He said they were proud to support Girl Scouts because Girl Scouts teaches all girls to be themselves.

Megan Woods, a volunteer with the Girl Scouts also stressed the importance of the group's inner-city programs, which help girls to better understand problems. Conflict resolution teaches the girls how to work out their disputes through rational problem solving instead of resorting to violence. Weidman also shared that the juvenile courts mandate participation in Girl Scouts for offenders on probation.

Weidman hopes this fundraiser will help the Girl Scouts provide much needed funding for the organization. With costs of more than $200 per girl and an area that serves over 10,000 girls, the needs of the Girl Scouts are growing.

As part of a national streamlining trend, the Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council will be merging with three other northern Indiana councils on October 1.

Weidman and Development Director Natalie Eggeman think combining the resources of the four councils will help provide a good basis for the future, but funding local efforts is still critical.

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More Information: Information on the Girl Scouts can be found online at www.girlscouts-limberlost.org. Sophia Dolls information available at sophiadolls.com/index.html