Congratulations to the Cool Women Class of 2014: (back row, left to right) Nancy A. Spector, June Shillman, Melissa d’Arabian, Pamela Mudd, Patricia McArdle and Magda Marquet; (front) Sister Ann Durst, Justice Judith McConnell, Cool Girl Ursula Hardianto, Deborah Szekely and Zoe Ghahremani.

June 2014

Presenting 10 extraordinarily Cool Women

Attention Girl Scouts aspiring to change the world: Check out San Diego’s Cool Women of 2014! Their stellar contributions have changed the course of history in the areas of health, science, law, the environment, human rights, the arts and beyond.

It was a thrill to spend time with them at our awards luncheon last month on the cruise ship ms Amsterdam. (See photo album and program with bios.) Not surprisingly, many of these accomplished honorees — and their award presenters, all previous Cool Women — are Girl Scout alumnae or volunteers. They are an inspiration to all generations!

Jo Dee C. Jacob
CEO, Girl Scouts San Diego

Saluting firestorm heroes
Members of Daisy Troop 1326 and other local Girl Scouts paid tribute to emergency responders who protected our lives and homes during recent wildfires. News 8 featured the Daisies, gathering with fellow San Marcos residents at Fire Station 4 to express their gratitude in person. Bearing handwritten cards and care baskets, the girls thanked the crew for saving their neighborhoods during the Coco and Poinsettia fires. The troop donated $200 in Girl Scout cookie proceeds to a fire recovery fund.

New study: Girls + camp = great leaders
Just as our summer camp season begins June 16, the Girl Scout Research Institute has released More Than S’mores: Success and Surprises in Girl Scouts’ Outdoor Experiences. The report’s key finding? The more Girl Scouts explore, the better! By trying new things in camp and other outdoor settings, they develop leadership skills. Girl Scouts also benefit by becoming stronger challenge seekers, environmental stewards and problem solvers. Plus, they’re more likely to exercise and excel in school. The study also shines a light on the need to serve girls of all backgrounds and economic means. We couldn’t agree more.

Intro to outdoor adventures
More than 100 fourth and fifth graders explored the great outdoors while developing leadership skills during our Outreach Mountain Adventure camp at our Whispering Oaks property (see album). They hailed from 10 schools participating in our Girl Scout Outreach after-school programs. Over the weekend, the girls (68 percent first-time campers) hiked, learned archery, overcame fears through skits and challenge course endeavors, and built social skills while making new friends. “I discovered that I can be brave and strong,” proclaimed a camper.

Honoring the military
As top cookie seller for the third year, Roni Nelson enjoys seeing the fruits of her labors. The enterprising Cadette — who sold 5,104 boxes (500 more than last year!) — is using her cookie proceeds for a heartwarming Silver Award project. Roni is collaborating with fellow Cadette Eve Maldonado to support Honor Flight San Diego, a local nonprofit. Their efforts include collecting letters for the World War II veterans Honor Flight takes to Washington, D.C. to visit national veterans memorials. During flights, the vets receive the letters, echoing their wartime “mail calls.”

Eve (left) and Roni met World War II vets Andre Chappaz and Lt. Col Bob Friend during "Hero’s Welcome Homecoming.” On Memorial Day, they joined other Girl Scouts in placing flags on graves at Rosecrans National Cemetery.

Keep those OTM cards and letters coming!
When the Mira Mesa Service Unit challenged its troops to create as many Operation Thin Mint_® notecards as possible this year, members rose to the occasion. The 6,000 cards they recently presented to Girl Scouts CEO Jo Dee Jacob will accompany OTM cookies to faraway ports. We collect OTM messages year-round. To produce your own “notes to show we care,” download a template; mail or deliver finished cards to any Girl Scout location. For inspiration, read excerpts of grateful recipients’ thank you letters and emails.

Girl Scouts assist during county park debut
Girl Scouts participated in ribbon cutting festivities for the 12-acre County Administration Center Waterfront Park on May 10. The expansive new public space features a splash fountain, themed gardens and a playground. Mary Roosevelt — whose father-in-law, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, dedicated the center in 1938 — was an honored guest at the ceremony.

Girl Scout Ambassadors Jada Irving (left) and Jahnace Brown of Troop 5074 meet Mary Roosevelt.

Building future CEOs
Boys who assert themselves are often called “leaders,” while girls who do the same are frequently labeled as “bossy.” Girl Scouts of the USA and LeanIn.org invite the public to Ban Bossy by redirecting our nation’s focus on encouraging confident, ambitious girls raise their hands — and follow their dreams. Widespread media coverage of the campaign has increased dialogue on the topic. In a local news segment, Girl Scouts board member/San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, along with Cool Woman of 2013/San Diego Unified School District superintendent Cindy Marten, chimes in.

Girl Scout volunteers: Join us for our biggest summer gathering!
Honor super star volunteers and dive into all things Girl Scouting at our 2014 Volunteer Conference and Celebration, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Register now to get your workshop preferences. Enjoy a fun day of networking, followed by bayside hors d'oeuvres and an awards program. Through our info-packed sessions, learn to Ban Bossy, prevent cyber-bullying or plan global adventures … or try your hand (well, feet!) at stand-up paddle boarding. You are welcome to attend either the conference and celebration or both.

Cookies by the numbers
Cheers to all the girls, volunteers, families and customers who contributed to the success of the 2014 cookie season. With help from 2,446 volunteers — including those who organized 21 service unit cookie kickoffs — 14,916 Girl Scouts earned $2.12 million for their troops by selling a whopping total of 2.8 million boxes of cookies! Our infographic features more mind-boggling cookie math.

A year in review: Empowering girls to succeed
Our annual report takes us on a photographic tour of 2013, reflecting on how our volunteers, program partners and donors make the Girl Scout world a better place. From expanding camp facilities to supporting innovative career exploration programs, our collaborators enrich the lives of girls and equip them to reach their full potential. No wonder Girl Scouts just can’t wait for what’s next!

Upcoming events:

• Girl Scout summer camp — starts in June; register now
• Gold Award ceremony — Sunday, June 8
• Volunteer Conference and Celebration — Saturday, Aug. 16
• Urban Campout: Adventures in Wonderland — Friday, Sept. 12

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About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting provides the nation’s best leadership experience for girls. Through Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts San Diego provides activities for 43,000 local girl and adult members, trains volunteers, and maintains two camps and four program and service facilities.