Today marks the national holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.  This is a great opportunity to tie the history lessons that girls have learned in school about Martin Luther King Jr. to their Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  When Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouting, she intended it to be for all girls.  Many girls today have heard the stories of Rev. King who headed the civil-rights movement fighting for equality for all people, but they don’t know that he too recognized that Girl Scouting was progressive in the civil-rights movement and served as a good vehicle in breaking down the barriers of racial segregation. In 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. described Girl Scouts as “a force for desegregation.” (Black History and the Girl Scouts of America. AARegistry.org. January 14, 2014). 

Girl Scouting has gone through many changes since the 1950’s, and the advocacy that Martin Luther King Jr taught the nation and the hopes of Juliette Gordon Low still rings true in Girl Scouting today.  The Girl Scout’s National Portfolio focuses on social justice, skill building, inclusion and creating systemic change to create confidence in ALL girls to become the leaders of tomorrow.  Through Girl Scout Journeys, girls work together to Discover, Connect and Take Action on important issues facing them and their communities.  Girls get to try new things and gain new skills through The Girls Guide to Girl Scouting; and don’t forget Girl Scout’s Highest Awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze).  These awards have girls plan a project to make a sustainable impact in their communities.

If doing a Journey, badge or award isn’t on the schedule for this week, that doesn’t mean that you can’t share the important role that Girl Scouting has played advocating for the equality of all people as you celebrate Martin Luther Kings Jr. and his legacy.

Here’s to honoring the mission of Martin Luther King Jr. today, and everyday, as Girl Scouts.