2015 Girl Scout Famous Formers Luncheon

On Thursday, October 29, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast recognized six local Girl Scout alumnae as Girl Scout Famous Formers during a luncheon held in their honor at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. This event is held annually to honor local women who continue to exemplify the values of Girl Scouting through their leadership roles in the community.

During the luncheon, guests heard an inspiring message from keynote speaker Nancy Rodrigues, Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Administration. Secretary Rodrigues, who joined Girl Scouts as an elementary school student in New Jersey, spoke about what it was like to grow up in a family with immigrant parents. She talked about how she was constantly trying to find a balance between the culture she was growing up in at home and the culture that she was born into in the United States. It was in Girl Scouts, Secretary Rodrigues said, that she found that balance.

Secretary Rodrigues and Girl Scout Ambassador Julia

"Girl Scouts was the first thing in my life that made me feel like a real American," Secretary Rodrigues shared. "They didn't care where I came from, but rather for what I could do for the community. I am validation of the good that Girl Scouts does."

Before graduating from high school, Secretary Rodrigues earned the First Class Award, the highest honor and achievement a girl could earn in Girl Scouting at the time.

Guests also heard from a Virginia Beach Girl Scout Ambassador, Julia, who talked about the ways that Girl Scouts has impacted her, especially sparking her passion for giving back to the community. Julia inspired guests by talking about the work she is doing to address literacy rates among urban youth on her journey to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, now the top award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting.

Each of this year's Famous Former honorees were presented with a plaque by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller and Board Chair Cheryle Mack.

2015 Girl Scout Famous Former Honorees: Peggy Birkemeier, Barbara Hamm Lee,
Khadijah Sellers, Emma Jean Brady. Sylvia Weinstein, Susan Colpitts

Across the country, there are an estimated 59 million Girl Scout alumnae. These women got their start in leadership as a Girl Scout and continue to exemplify the values of Girl Scouting at home, at work and in the community. According to a report published by the Girl Scout Research Institute, Girl Scout alumnae display positive life outcomes to a greater degree than women who were never Girl Scouts. Girl Scout alumnae attain higher levels of education, report a higher household income, are more civically engaged and are more like to volunteer than non-alumnae. Girl Scout alumnae know firsthand how Girl Scouts can have a lasting positive impact on the life of a girl, and serve as role models for girls today—the future leaders of tomorrow.

This event was generously sponsored by: Enspyr, LLC, A. Reddix and Associates, Inside Business, Tidewater Hispanic News, Coastal Virginia Magazine, WHRO, Signature Family Wealth Advisors and Realtor Tricia Hudson with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

Find information about reconnecting with Girl Scouts here.