Today is National Girl Scout Day, and as we honor girls and the organization that has inspired and empowered so many, we’re also on the lookout for news and analysis not only about the Girl Scouts; but also stories about girls who are making a difference, how best to inspire and support girls and young women, role models who motivate and influence girls everywhere—and the importance of mentors, examples, heroes, and encouragement for women of all ages.
Ohio Girl Scouts Fought to Put a Tampon Locker in Their School Bathroom, from Teen Vogue—“I wanted to pursue the project with my Girl Scout troop because I felt girls needed a way to be confident and have support during their periods. The lockers help girls be confident because instead of having to go down to the nurse and catch up with the work later, they can know the supplies are waiting for them.”
Astrophysicist Barbie Is Perfect. That’s Not How You Attract More Girls to Stem Careers., from USA Today—“The new astrophysicist Barbie, announced by Mattel last month, seems well-intentioned enough: Its goal is to encourage young girls to enter science and engineering fields by wedding Barbie’s glamour and intellectual gusto. In reality, it’s just another cultural message of unattainable perfection, and our messages of perfection for girls are already keeping them out of STEM work at the highest academic levels.”
11 People You Didn’t Know Were Girl Scouts, from Mental Floss—“If you participated in your local Girl Scout chapter when you were younger, you’re in good company. Sixty-four percent of women in civic, corporate, and political leadership roles in the U.S. are alumnae of the American institution. In honor of Girl Scouts Day on March 12, here are some famous women that got their start as Girl Scouts.”
Meet the Woman Who Won Over Google, Apple and Intel to Get More Girls Into Tech, from CNBC Make It—“[The teenage app creators are] just a handful of the billions of women and girls who have been hindered from developing STEM skills as a result of gender, geography and finances. They are also among more than 110,000 girls who, over the past 13 years, have found a new route into STEM through a series of free programs run by nonprofit start-up, Iridescent. … The program works by targeting school-age girls who would not otherwise have good access to STEM education classes. During the year-long course, the students receive tech training and are encouraged to develop solutions to issues impacting their local communities.”
Heads Up! Why Female Role Models Matter, from Microsoft News Centre Europe—“Role models can have a dramatic influence on whether or not young women pursue STEM subjects in school and STEM related careers. In fact, research shows the number of girls interested in STEM almost doubles when they have role models (41 percent) compared to those who do not (26 percent). Girls with role models are also more passionate about STEM subjects and are 15 percent more likely able to imagine themselves working in one of the STEM disciplines.”
Female Role Models Exist. We Just Need to Look Around, from Forbes—“We need to showcase stories of female role models and celebrate their social and economic impact in the UK.”
Want to receive early-bird invitations to our global events, custom-tailored content we think you’ll love, and exclusive access to “The World Women Report”?
