Year of the Girl

WHEREAS, March 12, 2012, marks the 100th  anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, which began in 1912 when Savannah, GA native Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to provide them the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually; and

WHEREAS, for 100 years, Girl Scouting has helped build millions of girls and women of courage, confidence and character who act to make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, the award winning Girl Scout Leadership Program helps girls discover themselves and their values, connect with others and take action to make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, requires girls to make a measurable and sustainable difference in their community, assess a need and design a solution, find the resources and support to make it happen, complete the project and also inspire others to sustain it; and

WHEREAS, the Gold Award honors leadership in the Girl Scout tradition, and Gold Award recipients have already changed the world as high school students; and

WHEREAS, core programs around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), environmental stewardship, healthy living, financial literacy and global citizenship help girls develop a solid foundation in leadership; and

WHEREAS, since its founding in 2000, the Girl Scout Research Institute has become an internationally recognized center for original research, research reviews and surveys that provide significant insights into the lives of girls; and

WHEREAS, through the dedication, time and talent of volunteers of different backgrounds, abilities and areas of expertise, the Girl Scout Program is brought to over 24,300 girls in grades K-12 across the state of Alabama and adult volunteers; and

 WHEREAS, today, more than 50 million American women are Girl Scout alumnae, 3.3 million girls and adult volunteers are active members and Girl Scouts is the largest member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, a global movement comprised of more than 10 million girls in 145 countries worldwide; and Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama and Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama have a membership of more than 24,300 girls and adult members:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the year of 2012, as

Year of the Girl

in the state of Alabama and commend the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for their 100 years of leadership and expertise as the voice for and of girls.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 28th day of February 2012.

      

Governor Robert Bentley