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 Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2008 NEW GIRL SCOUT BOOK CAPTURES SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON- One of the goals of Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) is to help girls develop the skills they need to become the leaders of tomorrow. A recent Girl Scout USA study revealed that ninety-two percent of girls want to be or would not mind being leaders. To help promote leadership skills for girls, GSCNC is releasing a new book, "Voices From the Woods: Leadership Stories from the Girls and Women of Camp CEO 2008." The limited edition book, published with a grant from Verizon Wireless, chronicles the leadership experience and mentoring advice that prominent women executives from the Washington region shared with teen Girl Scouts at Camp CEO. Jan Verhage, Executive Director of GSCNC said, "Camp CEO is a catalyst that helps motivate girls to have the courage, confidence and character needed to aspire to leadership roles. We realized that the insights shared by the girls and women during Camp CEO 2008 were worth documenting, not only for these girls, but all girls. It is my hope that this book will inspire more girls to develop their leadership skills." An important and timely chapter in the book is the letter to the next president, written by the girls. It addresses the pressing concerns of this generation, which includes the economy, immigration, drug abuse, the war in Iraq, homelessness and most important the cost of higher education. According to one Camp CEO girl, "These issues scare us, get our attention, and they should get yours too!" These are words of wisdom from girls not yet eligible to vote, but clearly aware of their future. The book, told through the voices of the girls and women, includes poems, quotes and photographs. The message from the girls correlates with research findings from Girl Scout USA-- Change It Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership (2008). The study found that girls today aspire to a different kind of leadership, focused on personal principles, ethical behavior, and the ability to affect social change. In the book, the girls identified traits they attribute to successful leader including open mindedness, confidence and responsibility. The Camp CEO girls come from diverse socio economic backgrounds. They shared their dreams for the future and the importance of life choices with top women executives like Verizon Wireless area President Tami Erwin, the President of Trinity College, Pat McGuire; Phyllis Caldwell, President of the Washington Area Women's Foundation, and Cardinal Bank President Kate Carr. "I was honored to participate in Camp CEO and even prouder that Verizon Wireless was able to help underwrite the cost of publishing ‘Voices From the Woods,'" said Tami Erwin of Verizon Wireless. "Camp CEO was an unforgettable experience. Not only did I earn my Girl Scout badges, but I was able to talk to young women about the skills and qualities needed to be a successful leader in the corporate world, government and in life." About Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital |
