WHEREAS, March 12, 2024, marks the 112th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the largest and most impactful leadership program for girls in the world; and

WHEREAS, The Girl Scout movement began on March 12, 1912, when Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low of Savannah, Georgia, organized a group of 18 girls and provided them with the opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts has for over a century advanced its mission to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place”; and

WHEREAS, Today there are more than 50,000,000 women who are trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders who are Girl Scout alumni and who have made the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts has since its beginning emphasized public service and civic engagement, and fostered a sense of community in girls; and

WHEREAS, During a time when girls are experiencing increased levels of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression, Girl Scouts continues to provide community, consistency, and connection for girls across the world, and is a safe haven in all the uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, Girls say that Girl Scouts supports their mental health and is an accepting, secure space where they feel free to be themselves and where leaders and other girls are sources of support during difficult times; and

WHEREAS, Being a member of the Girl Scouts provides social connection and creates a positive and uplifting national and global network among girls; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts plays an indispensable role in engaging girls in after school and out-of-school programming and experiences that expand their world and allow them to tap into their inner-community builder, innovator, changemaker, and leader; and

WHEREAS, At a time when civics education is missing from many schools, Girl Scouts engages girls of all grade levels in civics programming that deepens their understanding of community action, democracy, and government, prepares them for a lifetime of civic engagement, and motivates them to take action on issues that are important to them; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts helps girls develop invaluable life skills by offering girls 21st century programming in science, technology, engineering, and math, also known as “STEM” programs, and the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Gold Award Girl Scouts take on projects that have a measurable and sustainable impact on a community by assessing a need, designing a solution, completing a project, and inspiring others to sustain it; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts is a member organization of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which is an international sisterhood of 10,000,000 girls and young women in 153 countries that is committed to offering girls more opportunities to engage with communities worldwide, make meaningful global connections, and explore global citizenship; now, therefore, be it