Virginia Girl Scout councils hosted their annual Legislative Day on Monday, February 22 at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. This day was an opportunity for legislators to hear about what is going on in the seven Girl Scout councils in the Commonwealth of Virginia who serve nearly 100,000 girls with the help of 40,000 volunteers.
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Amanda, GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller, Anne, Lieutenant Governor Northam,
Lily, Dana and Pam Northam |
During Legislative Day, select girls from each council who have earned or who are working on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award— the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting— attended a special reception to share their community service projects with local legislators. The reception took place in the General Assembly Building in the fifth floor west conference room, where an exhibit recognizing the centennial celebration of the highest award in Girl Scouting has been placed. The exhibit will be on display throughout the session. Following the reception, Girl Scouts were introduced in the House and Senate by Girl Scout alumnae Delegate Daun Hester and Senator Janet Howell.
In the afternoon, the Girl Scout were led on a tour of the Governor’s Mansion by Pam Northam, wife of Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, in honor or the Centennial Gold Award year. They then attended a tea hosted by Lieutenant Governor Northam at his offices. There, they met some additional prestigious Girl Scout alumnae: Secretary of Education Anne Holton; Secretary of Administration Nancy Rodrigues; Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson and honorary Girl Scout, Secretary of Natural Resources and former Hampton City Mayor Molly Ward.
In addition to the learning experience for girls, members of the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Advocacy Committee visited with legislators to discuss House Bill 942. The bill, which was introduced by patrons Delegate Tony Wilt who serves the 26th District and co-patron Delegate Brenda Pogge who serves the 96th District, was drafted to help patriotic organizations such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts gain access to schools during the school day to make students and their families aware of the unique community programs that Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts offer. The bill was passed and approved by the House and the Senate on February 29 and is awaiting Governor Terry McAuliffe’s signature.
girl scouts of the colonial coast
