Since our organization’s founding in 1912, the world has undergone some amazing changes. From advancements in technology to new laws and policies (like the 19th amendment), the opportunities for women to take the lead and make an impact have grown exponentially. So why, with all these changes and new opportunities for women, do we still need Girl Scouts?

The Case for Single-Gender Clubs

As our name makes clear, Girl Scouts was created specifically with and for girls. We’re girl-focused! And that single gender focus is extremely beneficial to girls. Why? Because…

all-girl environments—be they all-female sports teams, regular slumber parties, or even her Girl Scout troop meetings—work as a type of oasis in her world. When there are no boys to be compared to (or to compare herself to!), she can discover her passions, stretch her limits, and shine her absolute brightest without the social pressures of being seen as too girly, too masculine, or really too anything. Essentially, she’s allowed to be herself and learn her own strengths on her own terms.” – In A World Of Boys’ Clubs, Giver Her One of Her Own

Most of a girl’s life is coed, but research show that single-gender environments provide more opportunities for girls to build confidence, a key component of leadership. And when 81 percent of U.S. voters think that preparing girls for leadership roles should be a national priority, there’s never been a better time to focus on girls!

The Case for Girl Scouts

There are quite a few organizations these days that focus on girls. It’s so amazing the number of diverse opportunities open to our youth, so why should Girl Scouts be a priority? What sets us apart from the others?

The inclusive, girl-led environment of a Girl Scout troop creates a space where girls can try new things, develop a range of skills (like STEM and outdoors!), take on leadership roles, and feel comfortable failing, dusting themselves off, and trying again.

We build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. And we’ve got the research to prove it!

The Girl Scout Impact Today

New research from the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), The Girl Scout Impact Study, provides compelling evidence that Girl Scouts fare better than non-Girl Scouts on a number of key measures of life success. Compared to their non–Girl Scout peers, Girl Scouts are more likely to:

• Exhibit stronger leadership skills and take an active role in decision making
• Earn better grades and have higher academic aspirations
• Desire a career in STEM, law, or business, industries in which women are underrepresented
• Have adults in their lives who help them pursue goals and think about their future
• Participate in fun and challenging activities that shape their character and open up new worlds to them

The Girl Scout Impact Tomorrow

Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, a 2012 GSRI report, shows that Girl Scout alumnae—especially those who were members for more than three years—display positive life outcomes to a greater degree than women who were not. These outcomes include:

• Higher sense of self and life satisfaction
• More volunteerism and civic engagement (they vote more)
• Higher levels of education and income

Backed by more than 105 years of experience, Girl Scouts continues to fuel the female leadership pipeline, 76% of current female U.S. Senators, 67% of current female governors, and every female secretary of state in U.S. history are–you guessed it–Girl Scouts! In addition, more than half of women in business are Girl Scout alumnae.

Girl Scouts is the best leadership development program for girls. We’ve been around for over a century, and we’re still going strong! What an awesome legacy and an even brighter future for your girl to be a part of!