Girl Scouts Honor Recipients of Highest Award

By Laura Bonk

“Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

For the past 100 years, Girl Scouts has been carrying out this important mission - today, Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of over 3.2 million girls and adults, a significant growth from its modest beginnings nearly a century ago. There are also more than 50 million women in the U.S. who are Girl Scout alumnae.

Last Saturday, The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains honored those alumnae who have received the highest award in Girl Scouting. Although the name has changed four times in the past century - the commitment behind it has not. In attendance were Virginia Peterson and Connie Levell - two women in their 90s who received this award in the 1930s. It was an honor to be with them. I also met women who had been Girls Scouts in New Hampshire as well as all over the country. Girl Scout board member, Patricia Casey, received the highest award, the Gold Award, in Hawaii. 

In 1982 - 30 years ago, I received the Gold Award. I had done many projects - for myself and my community to earn it. My high school Girl Scout Troop was an eclectic group of teenagers. We chose to learn about orienteering, archery, development disabilities, performance arts, or whatever projects one of us came up with. There was a constant focus on activities for our community and we always found ourselves teaching something to younger girls.

Girl Scouts doesn’t end with high school. The opportunities continue for the rest of your life. In my early 30s, I was a Girl Scout leader to fourth- and fifth-grade girls in Boston. A year ago, I wanted to learn new skills and the staff at Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains lets me help out as I learn about marketing and development. There are always countless opportunities for girls and adults. You are never too old to become a Girl Scout and learn a new skill.

I had no idea that when I became a Brownie at 7-years-old, that I was joining an organization for the rest of my life. Today I am part of an international group of women - and regardless where we grew up, we all share common experiences.