Celebrating and congratulating Girl Scouts of the USA on the occasion of its 110th Anniversary and thanking Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania for its service to the girls of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Since their beginnings, Girl Scouts has emphasized public service and civic engagement, and has fostered a sense of community in girls; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts works to champion the ambitions, cultivate the talents, and develop the skills of girls to confidently pursue their passions and make the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, During a time when girls are experiencing increased levels of anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression, Girl Scouts provides community, consistency, and connection for girls, and is a safe haven in all of the uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, Girls say that Girl Scouts support their mental health and is an accepting, safe space where they feel free to be themselves and where leaders and other girls are sources of support during difficult times; and

WHEREAS, Especially in the time of COVID-19, Girl Scouts plays an indispensable role in engaging girls in after school and out-of-school programming and experiences that expand their world and allow them to tap into their inner innovator, change maker, and leader; and

WHEREAS, At a time when civics education is missing from many schools, Girl Scouts engages girls of all grade levels in civics programming that deepens their understanding of democracy and government, prepares them for a lifetime of civic engagement, and motivates them to take action on issues that are important to them; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts offers girls 21st century programming in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the outdoors; entrepreneurship; and beyond, helping girls develop invaluable life skills; and

WHEREAS, Gold Award Girl Scouts take on projects that have a measurable and sustainable impact on a community by assessing a need, designing a solution, completing a project, and inspiring others to sustain it; Gold Award Girl Scouts in Philadelphia last year completed various projects to improve our local community such as engaging youth virtually in science and math activities and combatting loneliness of senior citizens during the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Today, more than 50 million women-trailblazers, visionaries, and leaders-are Girl Scout alums who have made the world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) is the largest girl-serving organization in Pennsylvania and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place; GSEP serves more than 2,100 girls in partnership with over 900 volunteers in Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby celebrate and congratulate Girl Scouts of the USA on its 110th Anniversary and thank Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania for its service to the girls of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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