Advocacy | Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast

Girl Scouts as Advocates

Girl Scouts have a powerful voice and want to speak out on issues they care about. GSCCC’s Advocacy Team educates policymakers and community leaders on issues and policies that directly affect Girl Scouts—funding for education, mental health, environmental issues, gender issues, racial equity, and more.

We also provide advocacy and civics education directly to Girl Scouts through programs, such as Virginia Girl Scout Legislative Days where a select group of Girl Scouts on leadership tracks visit with legislators during the General Assembly session.

From creating initiatives that better your local community to testifying in legislative committees, Girl Scouts use their voices and lead the way—and our team is here to help you on the journey.

State of the Girl 2026

New findings from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), published in the national State of the Girl report, offer a comprehensive look at what it means to be a girl in America today. Drawing on GSUSA research and national data, the report explores the realities girls face, from loneliness and body image concerns to pressures tied to technology and adolescence. The report also highlights their confidence, ambition, creativity, and resilience, underscoring both the challenges girls encounter and opportunities to better support their growth and success.

Infographic: Today's girls are "Yes, and" girls

3 in 5 girls say they have not felt confident at school because of how they feel about their appearance.

88% of girls feel pressure to be pretty.

This is a generation navigating a girlhood unlike any before.

Virginia Girl Scout Legislative Coalition

This group of seven Girl Scout Councils advocate with one voice to improve girls’ lives, building strong relationships with state legislators and members of Congress, as well as with state departments and agencies. Download Brochure (PDF)

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Be sure to follow Girl Scout Election Guidelines in planning your activities.

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National Civic Action: Promote the Vote

What do you want the future to look like? Who will lead us as we work to bring it to life? That’s up to you—but only if you vote! Voting is the process by which people cast ballots to choose leaders or decide on important issues. It’s a way to show what you believe in and make sure your voice is included in decision-making. You might not be old enough to vote—yet—but you’re never too young to learn about this process and to get your friends, family, and community involved.

We’re lucky to be living in a time where this type of civic engagement is possible. For a long time, women and people of color in the U.S. weren’t allowed to vote. It has taken hundreds of years of advocacy to change that. The 19th Amendment of 1920 allowed women the right to vote, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 guaranteed voting access to people of color. However, barriers to voting still exist. There’s work to be done—and Girl Scouts can play a part!

That’s what Promote the Vote is all about. When you join in, you’ll encourage potential voters to go to the ballot box. You’ll show them how and when to register to vote, where to find key information, how to educate themselves on candidates and issues, how to make a voting plan, and more. Simple steps and easy-to-follow templates guide you through the process. Promote the Vote with Girl Scouts and help shape your tomorrow—today!

VOTE411

Girl Scouts has partnered with this organization to provide information on voting and elections. See what’s on your ballot, check your voter registration, find your polling place, discover upcoming debates in your area, and more!

vote411.org/girlscouts

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Federal Policy Agenda (PDF)

Inspiring Greater Civic Engagement and Education

Out-of-school civics programs are a crucial component of education. We advocate for policy efforts to expand girls’ access to civic education, including:

Expanding girls’ access to civic education, including service-learning projects and informal educational programs that take place out of school.
Improving girls’ practical understanding of the systems, laws, and processes that govern society at the local, state, and federal levels.
Encouraging a sense of personal and community responsibility to engage in civic processes, such as voting.

Fuel Girls’ Passion for STEM

Every girl deserves to have opportunities to explore and build an interest in STEM. Girl Scouts supports policy efforts to:

Invest in STEM programs through federal partnerships with community organizations and schools.
Promote proven techniques for engaging girls in STEM, including single-gender learning environments and hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
Introduce girls to diverse role models and mentors in STEM.
Expand out-of-school STEM programming to girls and traditionally underrepresented groups, including English-language learners, racial minorities, and other students served by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Encourage federal agencies to invest in developing STEM career paths for girls and other traditionally underrepresented groups.

Strengthen Girls’ Financial Literacy and Business Skills

Research shows that girls are actively interested in becoming entrepreneurs, developing financially stable futures, and using their skills to make a difference in the world.

Girl Scouts supports policy efforts that:

Ensure all girls gain financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
Bolster the role of youth-serving organizations in promoting real-world financial literacy and entrepreneurial experiences in all-girl environments.
Expand federal initiatives that support financial literacy and entrepreneurial programs through partnerships with community organizations and schools.
Leverage educational technology to strengthen youths’ financial literacy capabilities.

Expand Girls’ Access to Outdoor Exploration

Outdoor activities have always been a cornerstone of the Girl Scout experience, and we remain committed to ensuring that girls can take part in everything camps and our nation’s natural resources have to offer.

We support policy efforts to:

Ensure all girls can participate in transformative outdoor experiences regularly and in varied ways.
Engage girls from underserved communities in outdoor experiences by identifying barriers to access and inclusion.
Provide girls with opportunities to explore solutions to conservation-related issues, thereby advancing their understanding of the natural sciences, natural resource management, and related STEM careers.
Engage girls in environmental stewardship and advocacy so they learn the value of protecting our world and, in the process, learn to advocate for themselves.

Uphold a Strong Nonprofit Community

We support policies and activities that advance the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Accordingly, we endorse efforts that help nonprofits incentivize charitable giving and help recruit and retain staff and volunteers.

Reform and simplification of the federal grant application process.
Greater incentives for charitable giving. Charitable giving policies fuel the health of our nation and communities around the world. Congress can bolster the country’s vibrant and independent civil society by creating a permanent above-the-line charitable deduction.
Reduced premiums for charitable and small employer cooperative (CSEC) pension holders.
An increased volunteer mileage rate equal to the standard business rate.

Civics and Citizenship Badges

Through earning badges, Girl Scouts gain an in-depth understanding of how local, state, and federal government works, equipping them to be voters, activists, and even political leaders. They also research their own government officials and are encouraged to meet them.

Daisy Good Neighbor badge and Democracy for Daisies badge
Brownie Celebrating Community badge and Democracy for Brownies badge
Junior Inside Government badge and Democracy for Juniors badge
Cadette Finding Common Ground badge and Democracy for Cadettes badge
Senior Behind The Ballot badge and Democracy for Seniors badge
Ambassador Public Policy badge and Democracy for Ambassadors badge

America250

Girl Scouts has partnered with America250 to celebrate The United States Semiquincentennial, with events, activities, and a special fun patch series!

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Using Our Voice