Summer 2020
Juliette’s Footprints A Publication of Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama
From the CEO
Board of Directors Officers: Carrie G. Shaw Chair Christine Prewitt Vice-Chair Elizabeth Braswell Vice-Chair Karen Mixon Secretary/Treasurer
MEMBERS AT LARGE Jerusha Adams Elizabeth Citrin Janie Corlee Christy Crow Michael Cuesta Carlos Gant Cheryl Johnson Katie Lovvorn Laura Searcy Lyn Thornton Tabatha White Tara Zieman
NON-VOTING MEMBER Karlyn B. Edmonds
Girl Scouts is NOT Cancelled!
Dear Friends of Girl Scouting,
We hope that this edition of Juliette’s Footprints finds you and your families well in these unprecedented and rapidly changing times. Our offices were closed to the public for almost five months. We missed our girls, our volunteers, and the many friends of Girl Scouting we once saw regularly. However, even though we’re not together in person, GIRL SCOUTING IS NOT CANCELLED! We have a wide range of amazing virtual programming opportunities for your girls through Girl Scouting at Home. Check out our Youtube channel for fun and educational videos we have produced just for GSSA. Also, the special kids in your life will love our Summer Scientist program, which shares great ideas for fun and simple science experiments. We will continue providing activities and opportunities like these until we can all be together in person again, and our girls will continue to enjoy the wonderful things that Girl Scouting has to offer. We also have tons of engaging programs planned for the fall. I take great inspiration from our volunteers, who are working hard to continue to connect with their girls. From Journeys via Zoom to badge boxes and virtual dance parties, your creative spirit challenges us all to make sure our girls feel the love of their Girl Scout sisters, even from home. Thank you for all of your hard work to make sure our girls feel loved and supported. One of my favorite experiences in the last few months has been the time I spent “Zooming” with a troop from Fairhope. I was invited to share my experiences in leadership with the girls and to inspire them to great things. However, it was this sweet, funny group of Juniors that inspired me. In 30 minutes, I met every pet (including a leopard gecko!) they have, enjoyed a mini dance party, and had a great chat about everything from dogs to Girl Scout cookies (oh, and a little leadership, too). It was amazing – and it inspired me more than this sweet group of girls could ever imagine. I hope the light of Girl Scouting is still filling your heart with joy, as it is mine. GSSA will continue to support and provide for our girls, and we will do so virtually as long as it takes. We are here for you and our girls – and always will be! We can’t wait to see you this fall!
Karlyn B. Edmonds, MPA
GSSA Launches Initiative to Serve Youth During the COVID-19 Crisis Members can now access Girl Scout programming from home during these challenging times. Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) is excited to have officially launched resources to serve youth during this time of crisis and isolation. While in-person activities and events were temporarily suspended, due to the spread of COVID-19, girls were able to participate in a collection of Virtual Programs, Girl Scouts at Home, and activities designed to keep them engaged. COVID-19 has school-aged children across the state and country confined to their homes, limiting their activities, and changing how they are learning. GSSA’s new Virtual Programs give children access to exciting new content and offer an array of options from getting outdoors to learning about life skills and STEM. Even teaming up with the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Forestry Association, and NASA, to produce quality content for their viewers along the way. Each activity allows children to engage in a new way and help them build critical skills all from the comfort of their home. “As the expert on girls, GSSA is uniquely poised to help girls and their families adapt to a new reality, says Karlyn Edmonds, GSSA CEO. “Our new Virtual Programs offer a one-stop-shop format that lets both members and the public enjoy a variety of activities.” And to ensure our youth are getting the tools they need to become our world’s ambitious change-makers, GSUSA launched Girl Scouts at Home, a national online platform where families—even non-members—can access free, self-guided activities. The age-specific activities for all grade levels are delivered through guided videos, text-based instructions, and downloadable information, making it seamless for families to incorporate into their daily lives. More program-based options have also been added, allowing girls to earn badges, tune in to live virtual events and connect online for troop meetings and projects. To join in on the fun, you can follow Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s Facebook page.
24 New Badges Designed to Help Girls Lead in a Time of Unprecedented Global Change
Gold Award
Since 1916, Girl Scouts have been making meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and around the world. The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others.
Claire Harden
For Claire’s project, she worked with the Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM) Storybook program, which allows incarcerated moms to read a story to their children on a recording. The program works to give children storybooks and recordings of their mother reading the books to them. AIM volunteers also bring children from all over the State of Alabama to see their moms every couple of weekends. Claire’s project assisted with both of these programs. Claire organized a storybook collection, built shelves at AIM to store books, and developed a craft curriculum to provide a fun activity for the moms and children to do together.
Mikayla Cain
For Mikayla’s project, Sew for Honduras, she sewed dresses by hand out of pillowcases to send to girls in impoverished Honduran villages. Every dress has been blessed and prayed over. Each dress represents so much more than just a dress. It provides a basic need for a family, allowing them to spend their money on other things like food and hygiene.
Allyson Merriweather
Allyson is a student at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, which caught fire in 2018. Allyson realized her peers were stressed in the new environment and missed eating outside. To help her peers, she decided to address both issues by building picnic tables for the school’s outdoor eating area. She also provided stress relief tips to students.
Jasmine Ard
For Jasmine’s project, she raised awareness about childhood cancer and collected items for care packages for Smile-A-Mile. She did this by speaking at community engagements and holding forums to discuss the statistics about childhood cancer. She also crocheted hats to put in the care packages, as well as delivered the packages to Smile-AMile personally.
Georgia Whiteside
For Georgia’s project, she created the Global Citizen Club at Fairhope High School. The club meets every two weeks to discuss world issues and address modern disparities around the globe, from Global Warming to Socio-Economic factors on culture. The club consists of both local members and international members, who participate in meetings from across the globe.
Silver Award
Introduced in 1980, the Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette can earn. It is symbolic of accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as a girl becomes her best self and builds the world around her. The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others.
Troop 9052 Jena Williams Troop 9081 Elisabeth Aaji
Bronze Award
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Troop 9048 Girl Scout Junior can earn. It requires a Girl Scout Junior to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community. Working toward this award demonstrates her commitment to helping others, improving her community and the world, and becoming the best she can be.
Alexis Holub Caroline Cryer Emma Hodges Isabella Tibbitts Jaylania Fleming Mallie Moughon Victoria Richmond
Troop 9141 Heidi Bossart Reese Camp Olivia Ervin Emma Pomaro Sophia Zohn Troop 9750 Aubrey Cheshire Lillie Geiger Alexis Kauffman
Volunteer Awards The heart of Girl Scouting is our indispensable volunteers who make it all possible! Because volunteers contribute their time and skills in many ways, there are several Adult Awards that are awarded to recognize their efforts. Years of Volunteer Service 5 Years Sue Beumer Leigh Ann Byrd Catherine Fulmer Randelle Luster Bonnie Shelly 10 Years Jewel Cazalas Sandra DeTora Susan Guillotte Katie Hosemann 25 Years Robin Estes Lori Severns
Leadership Development Pin Bonnie Bosarge Rashonda Brackett Candice Conner Elizabeth Hayes Bobbi Jo Jorgensen Charity Mason Volunteer of Excellence Missy Henderson Bernadette Toler Genese Wolfenden Appreciation Pin Jennifer Leach
Community Outreach STEAM Only Girl Scouts brings the expertise, programming and proven experience to help girls reach their full potential, preparing them for a lifetime of leadership. Our community partners play a key role in helping us deliver leadership experiences to girls throughout our 30-county service area through STEAM Team, GSSA’s Community Outreach program. STEAM Team benefits girls from undeserved schools, after school programs, homeless shelters, Boys & Girls Clubs, domestic violence shelters, community centers. Girls are served in group settings, empowering them with the ability and confidence to make positive decisions about their health, education and future. Girls can also participate in all other Girl Scout programs and camps in southern Alabama. This program is largely staff-led. Last year, STEAM Team served more than 2,200 girls, making up approximately more than 49% of GSSA’S total membership. STEAM Team is made possible by the support of generous donors and grantors. All of our donors are important, but we would like to especially thank: Central Alabama Community Foundation, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, Wells Fargo Foundation, The Community Foundation of Chattahoochee Valley/ West Point Foundation, Alabama Association of RC&D, and the Southeast Alabama Community Foundation. Thank you for your support! To support our programs or to learn more, email Alicia Schneider, Chief Development Officer at aschneider@girlscoutssa.org.
Programs
p 9327 S. from Troo Avery Grace her outdoor art badge ed the enjoyed earn tual Badge Series with ir during our V ery Museum of Fine Art Montgom
Evelyn T., Daisha T., and Elllis E., met Representative Barbra Drummond during Girl Scouts Day at the Capitol
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Virtual Summer Camp For more than 100 years, camping has been a cornerstone of what Girl Scouts do! Although camp looked a little different this year, campers had a wonderful time participating in our Into the Out program! GSSA camp traditions came alive each week as girls interacted with many of their favorite camp counselors! Campers also participated in cabin chats, guided activities, games, and sing-a-longs with camp counselors, as well as walks around camp and were given Into the Out kits full of camp goodies.
Payton B. -
Troop 728 3
Madison and Kylie H. - Troop 8587
Kenda B. - Troop 9015
Every Girl In A Park From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long and storied history of getting every girl outdoors. In fact, many Girl Scouts tell us “camping trips” are one of the best things about their Girl Scout experience. It’s true: connecting with the great outdoors in a girl-led setting is a big benefit of belonging to Girl Scouts. This is why we are so excited about our partnership with the Alabama State Parks and Alabama Historical Commission that lasts from July 1 to October 31, 2020.
Leading Ladies - Mobile This year, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) decided to hold both the Montgomery and Mobile Leading Ladies Awards virtually via Facebook Live. Every year, GSSA recognizes outstanding women and organizations in southern Alabama through this event. This year’s Leading Ladies honorees were Beverly Crews, GSSA Honoree; Representative Adline Clarke, District 97, Alabama House of Representatives; Chris Gibson, Director, Mobile United; Anitra Henderson, Director of Community Affairs, City of Mobile; Justine Herlihy, Vice President of Resource Development, United Way of Southwest Alabama; Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, District 1, Mobile County Commission; Tina Poiroux, Executive Director, Southwest Mobile County Chamber; and Shannon Sinsel, Troop 9847 Leader, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama. The 2020 Mobile Leading Workplace for Women Award went to Wilkins Miller LLC! Wilkins Miller has an expert staff of certified accountants, business analysts, consultants, and advisors who take a multidisciplinary approach that provides financial clarity across many facets of today’s complex business environment. Wilkins Miller is committed to fostering the growth personally and professionally of women in our firm. The firm is 68 percent female and is committed to understanding and supporting the unique challenges that women face in the workplace. Sponsors for the Leading Ladies event included: BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama; Publix; Iberiabank; and SmithDukes.
Leading Ladies - Montgomery The Leading Ladies Awards serves as a forum for recognizing outstanding women and organizations in southern Alabama and is an important fundraising event and promotion for Girl Scouting in the southern Alabama service area. This year a volunteer selections committee selected two Leading Ladies, Senitha Barnett and Amanda Davis. Senitha is a teacher at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, where she serves as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator and Career and Technical Education Department Chair. Amanda is the first female to serve as Chief Financial Officer at Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood (GMC), where she is responsible for managing and leading the firm’s financial operations and is a trusted advisor of the firm’s leadership team. Other nominees include, Tonya Allen, Administrator, Eastdale Estates; Danielle Allison, Executive Director, Ms. J.D; LaShandra Warren-Barnes, Court Administrator, 15th Judicial Court; Kynesha Brown, Director of Public Relations, Alabama Education Association; Susan Gaines, Interim Head of School, Eastwood Christian School; Aigner Kolom, Attorney, Beasley Allen Law Firm; Ashley Jernigan, Owner, JDB Hospitality, LLC; Greta Lambert, Associate Artistic Director, Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Colonel Anetta “Lisa” Minney, Human Resources Officer, Alabama National Guard; Ashley Taylor, Senior Manager, Jackson Hospital; Susanna Wasserman, Director of Marketing, The Shoppes at Eastchase; Patty Hackett, Director, Chisholm Boys and Girls Club; Marion Helton, Director, Highland Gardens Community Center; and Rhonda Thompson, Director and Founder, The Nehemiah Center. GSSA named Leadership Montgomery as the Leading Workplace for Women Award recipient for 2020. They also congratulated the Alabama State Bar for being nominated. Sponsors for the Leading Ladies event included: BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama; Publix; Valley Bank; and Trustmark Bank.
Man Enough Are you Man Enough to be a Girl Scout? Man Enough to be a Girl Scout is our way of getting men more involved in Girl Scouts. When you join our MAN ENOUGH NETWORK (M.E.N.), you are pledging to help our Girl Scout Leadership Experience, because when girls succeed, so does society. Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls.
Invest in Girls Help ensure that Girl Scout continues to impact our community today while developing our leaders of tomorrow! Make a secure gift at www.girlscoutssa.org! See what your gift can do: $1.22 a day will provide one at-risk girl with a year of leadership skill-building, academic support and mentoring. $25 will provide a Girl Scout membership for one girl in need. $50 will provide Girl Scout basics - membership dues, books and uniform for one girl. $100 will provide training and certification for a volunteer in First Aid and CPR. $250 will support outreach programming to girls who need us most. $340 will provide a week-long summer resident camp experience to one girl. For more information on giving a gift, please email Chief Development Officer, Alicia Schneider at aschneider@girlscoutssa.org.
Cookie Donations
With all of the stress and worry looming over the state due to COVID-19, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama found a way to bring light and joy through the comforting deliciousness of Girl Scout Cookies. GSSA decided to donate it’s leftover cookies from the Cookie Program, which ended March 1, to local food banks, healthcare workers, and truck drivers. “Our thoughts are with all of those on the frontlines working hard to keep our community healthy and thriving, says Karlyn Edmonds, GSSA CEO. “We hope that these cookies help spread a little positivity and cheer in our area during this difficult time.”
Cookie Bosses Abbigail A. - Troop 9105 5,004 Boxes Lydia P. Troop - 9114 4,450 Boxes Bailee G. - Troop 9046 3,394 Boxes Emma B. - Troop 7238 3,311 Boxes Isabelle M. - Troop 7230 3,269 Boxes Cookie Program starts December 26! www.girlscoutssa.org/cookies
Hometown Heroes For Hometown Heroes, we donated 8,292 packages of cookies. Through your corporate sponsorship, you can support Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s Hometown Heroes. This is a great way to donate cookies to active military personnel, local first responders, and other non-profit organizations who are making a difference every day. After the cost of cookies, 100% of the proceeds stay in our community to help support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Hometown Heroes donations can be made from December 26 to March 1. Help bring a smile to thousands of faces by donating to Hometown Heroes. To find a local Girl Scout to donate through, contact our Customer Care Team at customercare@girlscoutssa.org.
Mobile Service Center Montgomery Service Center 3483 Springhill Avenue 2501 Bell Road Montgomery, AL 36117 Mobile, AL 36608 800.239.6636 www.girlscoutssa.org GSSA serves more than 7,000 volunteers and girls in 30 counties, including Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Tallapoosa, Washington, and Wilcox.
Thank you to our 2020 Leading Ladies Sponsors! Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors