Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Racial Justice
In 2021, we continued to prioritize our goal of building a truly anti-racist organization both on an individual level and throughout every aspect of Girl Scouting. Racism goes against the values of Girl Scouts and we pledge to never stop working to expand access to Girl Scouting for all girls, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status.
Girl Scouts Lead & Celebrate Girls Paterson Summer Program
Our L.E.A.D. (Learn, Explore, Aspire, Dream) community engagement initiative and our Celebrate Girls Paterson Summer Program support girls in our underserved communities in northern New Jersey, where our membership is not as strong due to insufficient numbers of volunteers or funding. These programs enable more girls to participate and benefit from the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
L.E.A.D. program activities are generously supported by corporations, foundations, and other donors. Celebrate Girls is a robust, seven-week summer program for girls in Kindergarten-Grade 8 in Paterson and surrounding areas that enbles girls to work on Girl Scout badges, attend field trips, and participate in a Book Club. Both programs help girls gain important skills in four areas that form the foundation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: Life Skills, Outdoors, Entrepreneurship, and S.T.E.M.
Black History Month Patch Program & Virtual Challenge
Throughout February, GSNNJ celebrates Black History Month, sharing ways to engage girls in learning more about the history and culture of African American people. Girls are encouraged to earn their Black History Month Patch by learning more about the history and culture of African American people. Our virtual challenge is designed for Girl Scouts of all levels, and girls must complete a minimum of two activities from each of the Discover, Connect, and Take Action sections.
Black Excellence in Girl Scouts
In honor or Black History Month, Kathryn, a Girl Scout Ambassador from Morristown (age 17), researched and highlighted the influential Black leaders in the Girl Scout Movement to shine a light on how Girl Scouts have been on the forefront of integration in the U.S. She shared her findings through a weekly Instagram series, titled Black Excellence in Girl Scouts, showcasing the trailblazers and key facts in Girl Scouts history.
Little Diverse Library
Libby, a Girl Scout Senior (age 14) and Charlotte, a Girl Scout Cadette (age 12) from Madison, N.J. built a Little Diverse Library in their hometown as part of their Silver Award project and stocked it with books written by and about people of color. For the library’s launch in October 2020, these sisters set up a book donation drive at their local elementary school and reached out to publishers for contributions.
In 2021, they collected over 200 books that have been made available to area residents for free and continued to update the library with diverse books in honor and in recognition of Black History.
Learn more about these girl-led initiatives for Black History Month through interviews with these Girl Scouts for NJ Spotlight News:
