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Girl Scout Legislative Day 2025
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast stepped into the heart of democracy during Legislative Day at the State Capital on February 12, 2025, advocating for issues important to the Girl Scout movement and a brighter future for all. Girl Scouts, adult volunteers, along with GSCCC CEO Tracy Keller and GSCCC Board Chair Carolyn Pittman, engaged with representatives, delegates, and senators, focusing on mental wellness, environmentalism, and education. Each year, GSCCC’s advocacy team hosts Girl Scout Legislative Day in Richmond, and a select group of girls on leadership tracks are invited to gain the skills needed to advocate for themselves and others while making policymakers aware of issues important to girls and our organization. Throughout the day, Girl Scouts led conversations with elected officials about the Girl Scout movement and the ways we are leading activism in youth spaces.
In meetings with policy makers, GSCCC members shared information that included alarming statistics and a need to act. Recent research shows that nearly 70 percent of girls ages five through 13 are experiencing loneliness, which can affect their mental health. During a time when girls face innumerable challenges to their mental health and social development, Girl Scouts take action and grow in a space where they make meaningful connections, discover new passions, and engage with life-changing mentors and role models. When it comes to caring for the mental wellness of our community, Girl Scouts and the caring adults in their circle are taking action to educate and spread awareness by participating in mental wellness badge programs and Mental Health First Aid training workshops.
Many thanks to Delegate Marcia Price, a Girl Scout alum, for sponsoring our Smart Cookies Open House held at the General Assembly Building for all legislators and their staff. The Girl Scout Cookies were a crowd pleaser and our Girl Scouts had an opportunity to talk about their amazing experiences as Girl Scouts—thanks to skills and proceeds resulting from the Girl Scout Cookie Program®. Delegate Price also did the honors of introducing our GSCCC guests who were in the House Gallery. Senator New Craig introduced Girl Scouts on the Senate floor during the session. The Visitor Galleries are open when the House of Representatives and the Senate are in session and it is the perfect chance for our Girl Scouts to see democracy in action!
The GSCCC group was also treated to a lunch program hosted by GSCCC Board Member Amanda Howie, Administrator of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys (VACA). The Girl Scouts were able to hear from prosecutors in the office of VACA to learn about their roles in legislation and the criminal justice system, including Mackenzie Babichenko, Hanover County’s first female commonwealth’s attorney.
After the lunch program, the group had the opportunity to hear from Kelly Gee, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Joyce Reed, Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Tori Knachel, Project Manager for the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Hallie Pence, Executive Director of the Right Help, Right Now initiative, and Stefanie Taillon, Deputy Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. Each of the female leaders had an inspiring story about her journey to a role in government and they were eager to share tips and advice with our group. Several of the Girl Scouts in attendance shared their interests in a future career in STEM fields like environmentalism, the military, health, and education during the conversation.
Days like this empower future leaders to stand out and stand up while creating change. Perhaps today’s Girl Scout will become tomorrow’s lawmaker, shaping the world with her voice and actions.
You can read about issues included in the Girl Scout State Public Policy Agenda at girlscouts.org.
