Thousands of girls and those who support them from around the globe came together in Columbus, Ohio to attend G.I.R.L. 2017, hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA, in early October. The event included panels and breakout sessions on issues facing girls today, with sessions featuring female leaders from organizations and companies such as Facebook, Instagram, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and AT&T.

This awesome event also included our 54th national council session, attended by both girl and adult delegates from Western Ohio and other councils. What do the delegates do? They are tasked with reinvigorating our Movement, celebrating our accomplishments, and charting our future. Big tasks, right?

So what’s it like being a delegate at G.I.R.L. 2017? Check out what Victoria, an ambassador Girl Scout from Tipp City, said about her experience!

Victoria Jacobs, Western Ohio Delegate

Out of the four parts of G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader), I identify most with being a Leader.  I always am the first to try new things, sign up for clubs, volunteer, and take charge in projects, so I feel I represent the Leader part best of G.I.R.L.

This experience in going to G.I.R.L. with other girls from Western Ohio has been an amazing opportunity! I met new friends, tried different things, and stepped up to advocate for girls in our area and be their voice during the convention.  I’m not really an outgoing person or speak a lot in class at school, but this past week I went up to the microphone and asked a question to the National Board about a proposal in front of 2,000 people!  I was pretty nervous, but I had stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new.

My favorite part of the experience was meeting new girls from our council.  My troop is pretty small and I don’t usually get to meet a bunch of girl scouts in high school.  I have made a bunch of new friends, so that had to be my favorite part!

The most impactful part of my delegate experience was when I first entered the room and sat down with the 23 other delegates from Western Ohio.  I felt very honored to speak on behalf of the other girls my age in our area and the 42,000 registered members.  It was a very humbling experience and I realized how much work our council board members do to make our Girl Scouting experience possible.

I am most excited to see Girl Scouts expand and reach more girls, especially those in areas where it is needed the most.  Many other councils expressed the desire to reach those in lower socioeconomic classes and immigrants in areas where there is a lack of positive clubs to promote girls and I think this is a step in the right direction to further continue this amazing organization.  Girl Scouts is able to change girls lives across the world and it has changed how I see the world, others, and myself.

Thank you Victoria, for putting the Leader in G.I.R.L. as you represent current and future Girl Scouts and help us keep our Movement girl-led and girl-focused!