Girl Scouts encouraging more black girls to join
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on April 3, 2005 9:53 AM
The Girl Scouts in Wayne County are looking for ways to get more black girls and women involved in the organization.
A meeting of the African-American Program Planning Committee was held Saturday at the Girl Scout Service Center office to discuss ways to encourage more black girls and women to participate.
Deborah Brady of the Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina, said the organization serves 25 counties in eastern North Carolina. But, she said, only five percent of the black girls in the region are participating.
The national organization's goal is to more than double that percentage.
"The Girl Scout movement has always been committed to pluralism and building diversity awareness," said Ms. Brady. "Each council is responsible for ensuring that membership is reflective of its population."
The Girl Scoutshas more than eight million members in 144 countries. There are more than 300 local Girl Scout councils in the U.S. Girls ages 5-17 are eligible to join. The organization's purpose is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service.