Friday, November 22, 2019

ICYMI: 2019 Famous Formers Luncheon


Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast hosted our annual Famous Formers Luncheon yesterday afternoon. We celebrated the success and commitment to leadership demonstrated by our 2019 Famous Former honorees. Their guests, other Girl Scout alum, legislative representatives, and other local Girl Scout supporters were in attendance at Hilton Norfolk The Main for the occasion.

During the reception, Gold Award Girl Scout Jazzlyn Childs received the She Believes She Can, So She Does Scholarship to support her interest in higher education. We also awarded Townebank as our very first Corporate G.I.R.L. Champion. The acronym stands for go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader. Townebank has consistently contributed to community initiatives and a workplace culture that provides opportunities for girls and women to thrive, following our Girl Scout ideals!

Keynote speaker Dr. Patricia Turner delivered a captivating speech about the mistreatment she faced as a young girl integrating into a predominantly white high school at the height of mass resistance in Virginia. Despite years of bullying from her peers, teachers, and some neighborhood children, Dr. Turner excelled in academics. She graduated in the top of her high school class, graduated cum laude in her college mathematics program, and went on to earn her Master's degree.

"Your story speaks to the values of inclusion, understanding, and equality that Girl Scouts strive to represent," GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller said following Dr. Turner's keynote speech. 

Prior to the reception, our GSCCC staff had an opportunity to speak at length with her about her life before becoming a member of the Norfolk 17. She spoke warmly about the role of her family and Girl Scouts in building the character and confidence she needed to overcome the challenges that she later faced in life. "Girl Scouting taught you how to talk to people, how to share your feelings, and how to get along with others. It taught us that if someone is bullying you, that is not the world. You can overcome this," Dr. Turner shared.

We would love to know how Girl Scouts has impacted YOUR life, too! Share your Girl Scouts story with us on social media!

See photos from the 2019 Famous Formers Luncheon >>