PERI-GAY WALKER OWNER

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What lessons from your Girl Scout days do you incorporate as a woman leader today?

It’s funny. In rereading the Girl Scout Law, I have unknowingly been living my entire life by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Throughout my life, I’ve always tried to follow the basics of being kind, confident, caring, fair, honest, strong, respectful of others and helpful ... all lessons that are part of the Girl Scout program.. I carry one of their main mottos with me daily: “Always be prepared, show respect and stay strong!” In what specific ways does participation in Girl Scouts foster and develop leadership traits?

While I feel my parents did a great job of instilling selfesteem, confidence and character in me, it was Girl Scouts that showed me how to work well with others in groups at an early age. Without realizing it until I was much older, I learned the dynamics of working in group projects from Girl Scouts. We would get to take turns being the leader of varying projects, and that planted “leadership seeds” I carried throughout my life. It helped me to understand that a great leader needs to have confidence in herself and be able to lead by example with respect and consid eration of others. (And to have patience!) It taught me that girls can pretty much do anything. It also fostered in me a willingness to serve, which I feel I have done a lot of in my adult life, from volunteering and chairing countless fundraisers, auctions and events at my girls’ schools, to leading philanthropic organizations in numerous fundraisers and charity gala events, all to help others.

What is your favorite memory as a Girl Scout?

I think my favorite memory of Girl Scouts would be the time we went on a “day camp” field trip. It was to a wooded area outside of town, but it was my very first “girl’s trip/outing” as a kid, and it was so exciting. We learned how to work together as a team pitching a tent. We identified leaves and trees, we were shown how to start a fire (which I have yet to accomplish to this day), and it was my first experience with making and eating s’mores. It was a great day of adventure and learning how to work together as a team.

Peri-Gay’s Favorite Cookie: Caramel DeLites