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Meet Ana and read about her Gold Award project, Using Education to Fight Racism
Standing Up to Racism – Making the World a Better Place
An important message from Danielle Shockey, CEO Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
Probably like you, I’ve watched the news coverage of the recent
racial injustice in sadness, shock and frustration – among other
feelings. I’ve paused in sending this message, not wanting to be
reactive, not fully understanding – because if I haven’t walked in
your shoes, then I don’t even want to pretend to fully
understand.
But here’s what I do know: our girls are
watching us. They’re wondering why this is happening. They see the
injustice and are have questions. They’re pledging to live by a Girl
Scout Law that asks them to “respect authority.” And they’re wondering
if that’s always possible, and if not, then what should they do?
Girl Scouts is committed to serving ALL girls and helping them
to have courage, confidence, and character, and the skills necessary
to make the world a better place. To make the world a better place, we
must work together to build an antiracist society. This starts with
acknowledging racism and amplifying resources to help end it, while
supporting initiatives that aim to protect and empower Black
communities and break down systems of systemic racism.
Race in America is a complex topic. Girl Scouts of the USA’s latest
Raising Awesome Girls resource and conversation starters represent
just that—a start. We’re committed to continuing the conversation by
bringing different voices to the table, listening to each other,
educating ourselves, and recognizing that while it might not be
perfect, we need to begin somewhere. We all have a role to play in
bringing about the world we want to see for our girls.
Girl Scouts continue to lead every day in the fight for a clean
environment, racial and gender equality, safety issues, and so much
more. At our core, Girl Scouts aims to inspire girls to be leaders in
their own lives by building the courage, confidence, and character to
raise their voices and be advocates for the issues and ideas important
to them.
On a local level, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana
recently partnered with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission to help
girls find their voices and advocate for the issues they’re passionate
about. Current national badges like Public Policy, Inside Government,
Finding Common Ground, and Girl Scout Way badges are also aimed at
promoting civic engagement.
We have these resources to
encourage girls to be a catalyst for change in their community—and the
world. Making the world a better place has been our Movement’s mission
for decades. As Girl Scouts, we are compelled to continue the
conversation with our girls, families, volunteers, staff and
community. There’s much work to be done, and Girl Scouts will continue
to be outspoken advocates for the people who are harmed because of
racial injustice.
