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Girl Scouts to hold women's panel on leadership during Centennial Extravaganza

MARCH 2012

As Girl Scouts celebrates a century of leadership, fun, and friendship during Girl Scout Week, March 11-17, both the local and national organizations are setting out to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to reach her fullest leadership potential.


In a move designed to focus national attention on girls and the issues they face, last fall Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) declared 2012 the Year of the Girl: a celebration of girls, recognition of their leadership potential, and a commitment to creating a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in support of balanced leadership in the workplace and in communities across the country.  In January, they followed up with the announcement of the launch of ToGetHerThere, the largest advocacy and fundraising cause dedicated to girls' leadership in the nation's history. The multi-year effort will seek to create balanced leadership — the equal representation of women in leadership positions in all sectors and levels of society — within one generation.


The local council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, will hold a “ToGetHerThere” panel of women community leaders discussing female leadership as part of its Centennial Extravaganza activities on Saturday, March 17, in Gonzales. 


According to event coordinator Kevin Shipp, the panel of local prominent women will discuss their goals and aspirations, answer questions of how they achieved their goals, the obstacles they faced, and how girls can become leaders and pursue their dreams. Panelists include: Kiki Baker Barnes, Dillard University’s Athletic Director/Head Women’s Basketball Coach;  Dr. Norma Mattei, University of New Orleans Dean of Engineering; Keeshawn Carter, University of New Orleans Women’s Basketball Head Coach;  Dee Clubb, Owner of the Omni Advertising Agency; Cheryl Wells, Senior Vice President of Quaternary Resource Investigations;  Kathe Hambrick Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of the River Road African American Museum; and Glenda English, Founder and creative director of GMc Advertising Agency.

 

A comprehensive new research study, "ToGetHerThere: Girls' Insights on Leadership," commissioned by Girl Scouts in partnership with GFK Roper, reveals that while

girls are generally optimistic about their futures, they still see glass ceilings in today's society that will get in the way of achieving their leadership potential.  The study, based on a telephone survey of 1,000 girls aged 8-17, found that close to three in five girls think that a woman can rise up in a company but will only rarely be put in a senior leadership role.  Additionally, more than one-third of girls say they would not feel comfortable trying to be a leader, while almost 40 percent are not sure if they are cut out to be a leader.


The public is invited to attend the GSLE Centennial Extravaganza on Saturday, March 17, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center, 9039 St. Landry Rd., Gonzales, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a carnival of rides continuing to 9 p.m.  Cost is $10 per person and tickets are available at the door. Children under 3 and adults, 70 and older, will be admitted free. A $5 carnival riding bracelet is available on site for unlimited riding. Girl and adult volunteers helping with the event will receive discounted event pricing and a free patch.


Designed specifically to appeal to today’s Girl Scouts, Extravaganza activities include science, robotics, the arts, health and fitness, and more.  Participants will also hold an item drive to benefit two Children’s Miracle Network beneficiaries, Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge.


Tickets for the Extravaganza are for sale in the Girl Scout council shops at 841 S. Clearview Parkway, Jefferson, and 545 Colonial Drive, Baton Rouge, or online at www.gsle.org.  For additional information, please contact Shipp at 800-644-7571, ext. 2243. 

 

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Media contact: Marianne Addy, VP of Communications & Development
(504) 733-8220, ext. 2226 or maddy@gsle.org 

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