The Trailblazer a Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Spring 2019 Vol. 4 The Girl Scout Cookie Program empowers girls with know-how and confidence Girl Scout Cookies have long been an iconic and central feature of the Girl Scout ethos, with the first troop bak- ing and selling cookies in its local high school cafeteria to help finance troop activities in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1917. For over 100 years, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has helped girls finance the many programs and activities they planned with their troops, and has given girls a firm foundation of financial know-how. Girl Scouts is empowering girls with essential investment and goal-setting skills, business acumen, and entrepreneurial experience, all of which have historically been lacking for women and girls working to Girls from Daisy Troop 59218 in Weare, NH, show off their cookie booth. (Courtesy Photo) keep up with their male counterparts in Vermont, like the rest of the country, the business world. women still earn less than their male By the numbers: Now, in our 102nd year offering re- counterparts. search-based financial literacy pro- Through Girl Scouts’ financial litera- grams designed for girls, we recognize Girls’ e-commerce cy programs, which include the icon- sales increased by that the need for these programs is ic cookie program, girls have access over 14% in 2019. just as critical today as it was in 1917. Fi- to a curriculum designed specifically nancial literacy is not currently a stan- for them and what they will encoun- dard component of the K−12 education The Girl Scout ter as women in business and beyond. curriculum in the United States and, Cookie Program Through the cookie program in particu- thus, the responsibility for teaching is the largest lar, girls learn the “5 Skills” of financial these skills has fallen to parents, fami- girl-led business literacy: goal setting, decision making, lies, and out-of-school-time programs. in the world. money management, people skills, and Children are most likely to go to their business ethics. With the introduction parents for information on money and Girl Scout alumnae of the Digital Cookie platform in 2016, finances, but parents often fail to com- are more likely than which allows girls to take their busi- municate with and teach them about non-alumnae to have nesses online, Girl Scouts has added an these issues. a business degree. innovative digital layer to girls’ financial For girls, the need for effective finan- education. Digital Cookie has enhanced cial literacy programming is particular- the cookie program by bringing it fur- 80% of female ly critical, with studies showing that, ther into the 21st century and allow- business owners while the women’s labor participation ing girls to gain essential skills such as were Girl Scouts rate is growing in New Hampshire and Continued on Page 2 The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Council CEO The Girl Scout Cookie Program empowers girls Patricia Mellor with know-how and confidence Board of Directors Continued from Page 1 the empowering knowledge they need President/Board Chair to be go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, Tara Pacht online marketing, app usage, and ecom- and leaders in the business world and be- First Vice President merce. yond. Martha Manley Our belief in the efficacy of the cookie Second Vice President Katelyn PC Hudson program and other Girl Scout financial literacy programs is based on consistent re- Council Secretary search that shows positive outcomes for Susan Manning girls, alongside the success of Girl Scout Council Treasurer alumnae who have long stood apart as Eric Carlson leaders among their non-Girl Scout peers Members at Large in the world of business Maura Grogan Ronald Haenchen Girl Scouts of the Green and White Moun- Denise Vailllancourt tains continues to offer these powerful experiences to Vermont and New Hamp- Girl Representative shire girls. With the cookie program that Julia Tilton just wrapped up in March, nearly 9,000 girls participated in financial literacy pro- Alumnae Advisory Board gramming that will benefit them, not just Chair as they make plans for summer camp, Megan Cuddy troop activities, or community service, but also as they make their way into a Members wider world that will require them to have Jacie Crump NH Governor Chris Sununu (left), stopped by Michele Fontaine financial savvy to be successful. We are Troop 59565's booth sale at Waterville Valley. Candy Hamacher proud of our work arming these girls with (Courtesy Photo) Abigail MacGregor Belle Pfeiffer Peggy Piette Mary Rockwell Thon Colleen Settle

For More Information To donate to Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, visit: girlscoutsgwm.org/donate.

To learn more, contact the Ad- vancement office by emailing advancement@girlscoutsgwm. org or calling 888-474-9686. Troop 30393 of Milton, VT, show off their St. Patrick's Day-themed booth. (Courtesy Photo) The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Financial literacy is essential Save the Date Camp Farnsworth 110th Birthday Dear friends, any of a myriad of careers in between, the Celebration cards provided a personal story and advice August 3, 2019 Did you ever for getting started. While earning my Career Camp Farnsworth, Thetford, VT put your dues Exploration pin, I realized that my interests in a Brownie and skills matched those for becoming a Come and enjoy Camp Farnsworth's rich history with Girl Bank and sing lawyer. It was a turning point for determining Scouts and camp alums. Tour “Clink, clank, my future educational choices and career. clink, clank, Our the camp, partake in the flag ceremony, paddle a canoe across Brownie Gold This issue of The Trailblazer brings our past the lake, swim in the pool, and is in our bank”? into the future – or our “Dreams into Reality.” try out the new Camp Farnsworth This short poem is found in the Brown- The Girl Scout program continues to meet history patch program. ie Girl Scout Handbook from 1963 and the needs of girls both today and tomor- Register at girlscoutsgwm.org/ showcases the early business develop- row by introducing essential skills. Whether Farnsworth110th. ment skills learned throughout the Girl through our iconic cookie program, the Mon- Farnsworth Weekend Scout program. From making decisions ey Management badges or our wonderful and setting financial goals, to deciding patch programs, Girl Scouts provides girls September 6-8, 2019 the amount for dues and working to- an opportunity to practice their own “Spe- Camp Farnsworth, Thetford, VT gether on a job, the handbook taught all cial Qualities” to succeed in life. It’s no won- Farnsworth Weekend, held the basic skills needed to succeed. der so many women in business credit their at Camp Farnsworth, is an start to Girl Scouting! energizing and informative As a high schooler, I can still remem- weekend. Workshops, training, ber the From Dreams to Reality career Yours in Girl Scouting, and outdoor activities including program. The Career Cards provided hiking, swimming, and archery, are all on deck. You can also background information on an amaz- come to simply relax and have ing range of careers along with a list of fun. The weekend is open to “Special Qualities” needed to succeed in Tricia Mellor all registered adult Girl Scouts that field. Whether you were interested Chief Executive Officer, GSGWM and girls in grades 10-12. Look in becoming a dentist, a horse trainer, Gold Award Girl Scout for more information about this a stockbroker, an interior designer or event in summer 2019.

GSGWM presented with AWE Award

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains was recognized for its record of empowering girls and women by the New Hampshire Business Review with its AWE (Advocate for Women's Empowerment) Award. The award was presented on February 13 at a dinner that also recognized six women as Outstanding Women in Busi- ness. The AWE Award honors an individual or organization that has made a lasting impact on empowering women and girls in the Granite State, and recognizes the effort to ensure future generations of women succeed. The New Hampshire Business Review honored GSGWM with its AWE GSGWM is grateful for the recognition. CEO Patricia Mellor Award on Feb. 13. From left are Sharron McCarthy, Girl Scout Alum and accepted the award on behalf of the organization. president of McLean Communications/NHBR, who hosted the event; Girl Scout Ambassador Julia Tilton; Patricia Mellor, CEO of GSGWM; A video presentation made for the ceremony can be seen at Girl Scout Cadettes Grace Marshall, Ella McGough, and Gabby bit.ly/GSGWMAWE. Patterson; Tara Pacht, Chair of the Board of Directors of GSGWM; and Jeff Feingold, editor of NHBR. (GSGWM) The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Citizens Bank helps girls gain financial literacy Underserved schools benefit from Girl Scout Outreach Troops Every April, Citizens Bank celebrates Na- tional Financial Literacy Month through its internationally recognized Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money program. This program provides generous contributions alongside targeted volunteer activities designed to increase and support financial literacy development across Citizens’ geographic footprint. For the third year, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (GSGWM) has benefitted from these efforts with grant funding to deliver financial literacy programming to GSGWM’s powerful Outreach Troop program. Our Outreach Troop program brings the Girl Scout troop experience and leadership development curriculum to after-school Troop 58887, from Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Nashua, NH, is one of many troops programs at local schools with high that benefit from the contributions of Citizens Bank. Here they host a cookie booth outside of their school during their meeting. (Courtesy Photo) levels of low-income families. the financial literacy programs that are free from barriers, with all program- There’s a gap when it comes to teach- available don’t start early enough—ex- ming fully subsidized and offered in ing young people the financial literacy perts say that young people need to place at safe and familiar school lo- skills they need. Many parents are un- start learning about money as early as cations. Research consistently shows comfortable talking about money with kindergarten. We are proud that Girl there are serious implications when their children and many schools don’t Scouts has the financial empowerment children are raised with the stresses have time to address an “elective” top- program to fill that gap. associated with poverty. Among these ic, such as financial literacy. And even is a persistent proficiency gap between Financial Literacy has low-income students and their higher long been a cornerstone income peers. Research shows it is not of the Girl Scout leader- what happens during the formal school ship curriculum, with 23 day that is the source of this gap but, percent of the 132 Girl rather, low-income students are losing Scout badges requiring ground outside the school day when financial literacy skills. they do not have access to the same In a recent study, 74 per- types of enrichment opportunities as cent of parents credit their more affluent peers. their daughter gaining entrepreneurial busi- Last year, the majority of participants ness skills because of reported the Girl Scout Cookie Program Girl Scouts. and associated financial literacy curriculum as their favorite part of the year. Partnering with Citizens One of the troop leaders reported, “The Bank allows us to bring Troop 58444 Leader Devon O’Hara leads her Daisies and cookie booth was the big winner … the Brownies in the Girl Scout Promise at McDonough Elementary this powerful program- activity was successful and I could see School. This Manchester, NH, troop is another that benefits ming to low-income girls from contributions by Citizens Bank. (GSGWM) the girls having fun AND learning.” The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Fidelity Investments 'Let It Grow' patch teaches Girl Scouts investment skills for a lifetime Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains has partnered with Fidelity Investments® to create the “Let It Grow” Investment Patch Program so that girls can unleash their inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ and gain skills they need to be successful in life. The patch program introduces Girl Scouts to investing for their future. When girls complete the program requirements, they receive a Fidelity Investments “Let It Grow” patch. The program allows girls to grow from Daisy through Ambassador, earning a new patch bar with each age level. Girls may start earning patch bars at any age level. Financial literacy has long been a skill taught in Girl Scouting. Here, Megan Boyd works with Daisies on their money skills. (GSGWM) The youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies grades 9-12, gain practical knowledge service projects, and who make and Brownies, in grades K-3, learn to in funding a college education and themselves available to support girls think about and save for the future, retirement. and their leaders through innovative as well as how to help others. Juniors programming such as the Let It Grow and Cadettes in grades 4-8, explore “Fidelity has a long-standing patch program,” said Patricia Mellor, investing in business and a home. commitment to provide financial CEO of GSGWM. “We are so grateful Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts, in education to customers and the for Fidelity’s investment in our go- community, and the new Girl Scout getters, innovators, risk-takers, and investment patch is a great way leaders and look forward to opening up to extend this education to young opportunities for girls as we continue women,” said Christina Cuzzi, senior to work together.” manager of Community Relations for Fidelity Investments. “We are happy As part of this program, employees to partner with the Girl Scouts of the from Fidelity are available to mentor Green and White Mountains to help the girls with elements of the patch their members build a solid foundation requirements. in financial literacy, which helps to build Girl Scouts is committed to offering life-long financial confidence.” all girls the opportunity to build their “The strength of the partnership business savvy and hone their financial between Girl Scouts of the Green skills. They do so through patch and White Mountains and Fidelity, programs like Let It Grow, but also originates with the Fidelity volunteers through the Girl Scout Cookie Program who lead Girl Scout troops, give their and by earning official Girl Scout badges time at events such as the G.I.R.L. Expo, like the Cookie CEO, Savvy Shopper, help transform our camps through Budgeting, or Marketing badges. The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Gold Award Girl Scouts going for national award

For years, a young woman who earned Girl Scouting’s high- importance in their communities and have truly changed est honor was called a National Young Woman of Distinction. the world for the better. Whether they are chosen for the This year, that honor has a new name – the National Gold National Gold Award or not, they have proven their G.I.R.L. Award Girl Scout. A Gold Award Girl Scout earns that title (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ credentials with- by knocking it out of the park with an exceedingly awesome in our council. Gold Award project – one that reflects extraordinary lead- We are pleased to share that, beginning this spring, GSGWM ership, has a measurable and sustainable impact, and ad- Gold Award Girl Scouts will be invited to apply for scholarship dresses a local challenge related to a national and/or global funds to help offset expenses associated with post-second- issue. Each year, ten exceptional Gold Award Girl Scouts are ary education, including trade or certificate programs. If you recognized this way. wish to contribute to the GSGWM Gold Award Girl Scout Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains has nominat- Scholarship program, please visit our website at girlscouts- ed three outstanding Gold Award Girl Scouts for this incredi- gwm.org/Fund-a-Girl. Be sure to add a note to your gift indi- ble honor. They have addressed issues of national and global cating that it is for Gold Award Scholarships.

Julia Tilton Elizabeth Katherine A Mindful Girl Greenwood Goyette Between the Health for All When Julia began Bases: A Girl’s to notice the neg- Inspired by her Baseball Journey ative impact social own negative ex- media was hav- As the only girl periences with ing on her life, she playing baseball on health education decided to take action. She wanted to a team of boys at her high school, Beth at her schools, Katie was determined address the link between social media was in a unique position to challenge the to make health classes more comfort- usage and anxiety and depression in stereotypes about women in sports. In- able and effective for LGBT high school teenagers for her Gold Award project. stead of letting sexist comments eat at students. Attitudes from educators Working with Girls Inc. and Girl Scouts her or accepting the status quo of girls she attempted to talk to ranged from of the Green and White Mountains, Ju- having to switch to softball as they grew ignorance to outright homophobia. De- lia devised two educational programs up, she became determined to not just termined not to let fears stop her, Ka- – ‘gIRL: Girls in Real Life” and “A Mindful be allowed to play on the boys’ baseball tie took on the challenge of changing Girl.” The first she ran as an after-school team but to change attitudes and let attitudes toward the LGBT community. program with Girls Inc. The second be- girls know that they should be allowed Her Gold Award project, Health for All, came a patch program with the same the chance to compete at the boys’ lev- is a curriculum guide for health educa- goals offered by our council. She has el. For her Gold Award project, Beth in- tors that provides statistics on the poor worked with approximately 1,200 girls terviewed 18 women in sports and wrote health outcomes for the LGBT commu- in New Hampshire and Vermont and a book about her story and theirs, to in- nity, teaches how others can take ac- trained 77 people to run these programs. form and inspire young girls to be them- tion at their school or in their commu- She even traveled to the World Asso- selves and challenge the stereotypes nity, and a curriculum complete with a ciation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts that have held women back from tradi- glossary of terms on how to address the (WAGGS) Sangam World Centre in Pune, tionally male-dominated sports. health concerns of all students, not just India, where 1,400 girls in India will com- the traditional heterosexual students. Beth, now 19, graduated from Souhe- plete the program. gan High School this past summer, is a Katie, 19, graduated from Phillips Exeter Julia, now 17, is a junior at The Derryfield freshman at the University of Rochester, Academy this past summer, and is now School in Manchester, NH, and is a resi- and a resident of Amherst, NH. attending Dartmouth College. Durham, dent of Amherst, NH. NH, is her hometown. The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

Operation Cookie 2019:Mission Accomplished! On behalf of everyone at Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, we Elks Lodge 2226 want to express our deep gratitude for Enfield-Mascoma Lion's Club Inc the support of Operation Cookie 2019. Evening Star Lodge No. 37 This year, through contributions made Franklin Elks Lodge 1280 by corporations, individuals and many Fraternal Order of Eagles #3907 civic groups, and with the efforts of the General Federation of Women's Clubs NH thousands of Girl Scouts in Vermont Gorham-Sabatis Lodge No. 73 and New Hampshire whose Cookie Sale Hartford Post #26 American Legion efforts included requesting support for Hudson Lions Club this project, we will deliver 18,362 box- Hurd Welch American Legion Auxiliary es of cookies to several military bases Hyde Park VFW Post 7779 Auxiliary and groups who support active duty Janet Doty and veteran service members. We are Jennifer Williams proud to send a “taste of home” wher- John W. Weeks VFW AUX 3041 Talk about full circle! Girl Scout alum and ever brave Americans are serving our Judith A. Johnson Gold Award Girl Scout Michelle now uses the country and we are so grateful to those care packages she receives while serving Kiwanis Claremont Charities who supported this effort – we couldn’t in the Middle East at a U.S. military mental Kiwanis Club of Hudson, Inc. health clinic there. (GSUSA) do it without you! KR Heating & Repairs Littleton Elks Lodge #1831 2019 Operation Cookie Supporters Littleton Lions Club Lucille Campbell Able Moving & Storage American Legion Post 115 McClure Moving and Storage Addison County Eagles Aerie #3801, Inc. American Legion Windsor Post No. 25 Myers Prescott Olson Post #50 Alpha Preceptor Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi American Legion, Inc. Post 23 Nathan Wechsler & Company American Legion Auxiliary Unit 7 AMVETS Post 2 Newport Lodge No. 2155 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 10 Barbara T. Plumley Orford-Fairlee Lions Club American Legion Auxiliary Unit 32 Bedford VFW Post 8401 Ossipee Valley Masonic Lodge #74 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39 Berlin Kiwanis Club Robert G. Durgin Post 67 American Legion American Legion Auxiliary Unit 50 Blazing Star Eureka Lodge No. 11 Free & Accepted Masons Rochester Lodge of Elks #1393 American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63 Brady Sullivan Properties Ronald F. Sinclair American Legion District 4 Brookline Lions Club Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay American Legion Donald McMahon Post No. 64 Brown-Johnson Post 792 Rotary Club of Hampton American Legion Ora Paul Post 24 Candia Community Woman's Club Rotary Club of Ossipee Valley American Legion Post 3 Carolyn A. Costello S.A.L. Squadron 7 American Legion Post 4 Castleton Lions Club Saint James Masonic Lodge No 102 American Legion Post 6 Chesterfield Lions Club St. Andrew's Lodge #56 American Legion Post 12 Christine Trunca St. John's Lodge #1 American Legion Post 13 Claremont Elks Lodge 879 Stowe Rotary Club American Legion Post 19 Concord VFW Post 1631 Susan J. Kelley American Legion Post 25 Cynthia Bortz Vergennes Rotary Club American Legion Post 69 Daughters of the American Revolution VFW Harned-Fowler Post 6471 American Legion Post 76 David Coutu VFW Ralph J. Mollica Post 793 American Legion Post 91 Deborah A. Drake Windsor Lodge of Elks 1665 American Legion Post 105 Elks Lodge 1499 Wolfeboro Lions Club American Legion Post 114 Women of the Moose Chapter #967 The Trailblazer A Newsletter for Girl Scout Alumnae and Supporters

HELP US MEET Alum Profile: Karen Pratt THE CHALLENGE Girl Scouting has been part of Karen Girl Scouts of the Green and White Pratt’s life since she was a girl. She’s now Mountains is working to ensure the director of Fidelity Brokerage Services that the over 10,000 girls we serve compliance for Fidelity Investments. across Vermont and New Hamp- She provides guidance to their business shire have access to science, groups as they develop new financial technology, engineering and math planning services so they meet all regula- programs that are specifically tai- tory requirements. “I take my responsibil- lored to inspire and foster a love ity to protect our clients, employees, and of STEM in girls. the firm very seriously,” she said.

Our goal is to deliver state-of- Pratt, from Goffstown, NH, was a Girl the-art STEM programs through Scout for about 10 years, from Brownie a Mobile STEM Lab. It will take an through Senior Girl Scouts in Chicago. Karen Pratt is helping Girl Scouts through our initial investment of $150,000 to partnership with Fidelity Investments. Her favorite Girl Scout memories are of purchase, outfit, and customize a (Courtesy Photo) the jamborees, with girls from all over the van, and to support the costs to ting me do and learn about a variety of region, usually at a state park. “That was run the programs. topics. And it taught me how to set a goal a big deal for those of us who spent most and work through steps until I achieved it. The Finlay Family Foundation has or all our time in an urban environment That has served me well throughout my pledged to match your donation with more concrete than trees,” she said. life.” to support the Mobile STEM Lab “I loved the games and camaraderie with project up to $12,500. Gifts or the other girls and getting a chance to Being a Girl Scout also taught her to care pledges must be received by June make friends outside of my own neigh- about her community. “Scouting and my 30, 2019*. borhood.” family instilled the importance of giving back from a very young age,” she said. Her first chance to go camping was when 100% “Currently, my company has an active she was a Girl Scout Senior. “Our troop volunteer program and I’m very involved 75% $3,894 raised took a trip to Hannibal, Mo., to see the with our financial literacy efforts and pro- $3,894 matched sights related to Mark Twain. We weren’t 50% grams like Young Investors. Outside of a camping troop, and it wasn’t pret- $7,788 total work, I volunteer at a local theater with an 25% ty watching us pitch those tents, but at 31% of goal active children’s program, as getting chil- least none of them collapsed overnight!” 0% dren exposure to the arts/theater is an- Girl Scouting helped Pratt gain confidence other passion of mine.” She is also on the as she went through the program. “I was list of available volunteers for the Fidelity *Gifts made with the enclosed a very shy girl, and Scouting really helped Investments “Let It Grow” patch program envelope will support the challenge. me come out of my shell,” she said. “I partnership with GSGWM. learned to present the work I’d done for She has this bit of advice for women fac- badges to the troop, often engaged in vol- ing obstacles or challenges: “Try not to unteer projects and PR activities for the let yourself get overwhelmed or feel an council, and, of course, sold those cook- obstacle is insurmountable. Find one lit- ies. Girl Scouting gave me a safe environ- tle bit you can do towards your goal, then ment to build my self-confidence when another, and another, and you’ll be sur- dealing with others. prised how far you can get!” “The badge program in and of itself was a Pratt also notes this about her Girl Scout huge thing for me,” she said. “It exposed A proposed rendering of GSGWM's history – “After 50 years, I’m still addicted me to a variety of different interests, let- Mobile STEM Lab. (Courtesy Photo) to those Thin Mints!”