African-Americans in Congress Patch Teaches new Generation about Civil Rights

 

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2010
Contact:  Nancy Wood, 202-274-3304, nwood@gscnc.org

Girl Scouts Continue the Dream
African-Americans in Congress Patch Teaches new Generation about Civil Rights

WASHINGTON—Girl Scouts in the Greater Washington Region have a new patch to earn, compliments of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Dell Computers and Faye Fields, CEO of Integrated Resources Technologies, Inc. The Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital is unveiling the African-Americans in Congress patch at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference on Thursday, September 16.  

The new patch program empowers teenage girls to learn about the history of the civil rights movement in order to gain a better understanding of how to advocate for social change. To earn the patch, Girl Scouts will research past members of the Congressional Black Caucus and engage with current members. They will learn how the legislative process works, discover careers in government and learn advocacy tools like how to use research techniques, writing opinion columns and using social media.

“The African-Americans in Congress patch brings the legacy of the civil rights movement to life for a new generation,” said Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. “This is part of the rich Girl Scout experience that motivates girls to develop leadership skills and promotes the spirit of service necessary to make our world a better place.”

In addition to launching the African-Americans in Congress patch, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital are hosting a Milk & Cookies reception at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference with special guests from GSUSA Connie Lindsey, National President and Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer, on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Room 201.  

About Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital

Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) is a non-profit organization with over 90,000 members, including 63,000 girls in 4,900 troops throughout the District of Columbia, eight counties in Maryland, ten counties in Virginia, and seven counties in West Virginia. With the help of more than 27,000 dedicated volunteers, the generosity of corporations and foundations, and our popular Girl Scout cookie program, GSCNC helps girls from kindergarten to 12th grade become leaders through a wide range of fun and educational activities. GSCNC is headquartered in Washington DC, with offices in Frederick and Waldorf, Maryland; Lorton, Leesburg and Manassas, Virginia; and Martinsburg, West Virginia.  To get involved, visit our website at www.gscnc.org.