One of Ellen’s many passions in life is the Girl Scouts of America! From the time she joined the organization as a young Brownie until now, Ellen has been a huge supporter of the Girl Scouts. She attributes her strong, independent personality to her time as a Girl Scout and is passionate about young girls having that same opportunity to grow their characters as Girl Scouts.
Keep reading below to learn more about Ellen’s time as a Girl Scout!
Becoming a Brownie
In 1969, Ellen joined the Girl Scouts as a Brownie. She remembers the first time she ever wore her uniform with its many pins and an orange tie that her father taught her how to tie correctly. She even remembers they had group meetings on Tuesdays, which meant she got to wear her uniform to school! In Ellen’s hometown of Parsons, KS, every girl joined the Girl Scouts so it was an unforgettable moment for her to join the ranks as well.
Experiencing the World
Some of the most memorable Girl Scouts moments for Ellen related to trips she got to take. Her first exciting trip was a primitive camping trip in the Wyoming wilderness. Without adults around, the group traveled on horseback through the mountains, armed with only a map and a compass.
In 1978, Ellen got to be a delegate for the national convention. To be chosen as one of the voters at the convention was a huge honor. On her return trip home, Ellen immediately began filling out an application to apply for an International Wilder Opportunity. She went through the entire interview process and was delighted to be one of three Girl Scouts in the U.S. to be selected for a trip to South Africa! The country during this time was struggling with serious turmoil, so Ellen and the other girls were briefed by the State Department on what to expect and how important it was for them to represent the United States as Girl Scouts. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Empowerment for Girls
Her time in the Girl Scouts taught Ellen what a smart woman looks like. She learned confidence in herself and a wide range of leadership skills, such as brainstorming and how to run successful meetings. Girl Scouts was all about teaching you all kinds of life skills.
“Because of Girl Scouts, I had no fear, and I still have no fear to this day! It was even more amazing as a young girl.”
Today, girls who join the organization have even more opportunities available. There are fantastic STEM programs and the option to travel around the world. It’s an all-girl environment and that is something all girls should experience in their life.
Continued Support for the Girl Scouts
Ellen worked as an advisor for the Youth Leadership Council with the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast for 14 years before she moved to Kansas City. In that time, she shared her skills and confidence with over 400 girls, helping to prepare them for adulthood in a number of different ways. Teaching leadership skills to these girls was just as life-changing for Ellen as it was for them. Today, Ellen is involved as an assistant troop leader with a cadet group at St. Peter’s School.
