GSUSA Scholarship Recipient

A Girl Scout to her core, Lauren Schmeidler has been a member since she was in Kindergarten. From earning badges, going on field trips with her troop, completing community service projects, traveling across the states and abroad, she's done it all — including becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout.

Lauren's Gold Award project began when she knew she was interested in helping out fellow women. She visited local women's shelters to see how she could help and what would better serve her community. When visiting, she learned that feminine hygiene products were the hardest items to obtain, which was partially due to the cost. That's where her project came in.

"I knew I didn't want to just host a drive to get items for these shelters, but I couldn't exactly determine what the best way to help would be," Lauren said. "I talked with Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple who said, 'well, why don't you change the tax law?' That's when I knew this was it."

From there, Lauren took action at the state-level by introducing House Bill No. 2461 to the Kansas Taxation Committee to exempt hygiene products from Kansas State Sales Tax. She gained support through an online petition and sponsorship through Representative Miller who introduced the bill on the House floor on Jan. 10, 2022. Lauren was also supported by Senator Ware, Representative Schmidt and Representative Clayton.

"I would never have even tried to do something like this project if it wasn't for Girl Scouts," Lauren said. "Girl Scouts has allowed me to gain confidence and help with my public speaking. It's the best gift I've ever received and I know I'll utilize this skill forever."

Although the bill died in house, Lauren's project hasn't stopped there.

This fall, she's headed to Fort Hays State University where she will major in biology and minor in law, which will help as she creates her next plan for the bill in the upcoming session.

"I think if I have more knowledge on civics and how to write a bill, that's going to help significantly when we try again," Lauren said. "I'm so grateful for being awarded both the Kansas Heartland Gold Award Scholarship and the GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship because they're going to significantly impact my college career and allow me to pursue my passions and hopefully get this bill passed."

As Lauren completes her girl membership, she's already looking forward to her future in Girl Scouting and encouraging her Girl Scout sisters to pursue their dreams.

"I hope every Girl Scout feels inspired by something or someone to take on a Gold Award project," Lauren said. "Just find what you're passionate about and use that passion to help others."