Gold Award Spotlight: I wish the world knew
For Girl Scout Ambassador Marley, earning the Girl Scout Gold Award was about changing the way her community understands and embraces neurodiversity. Marley is a senior at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach and has also earned both the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards.
Neurodiversity is the idea that differences in how people’s brains work are a natural and valuable part of human diversity — just like differences in race, gender, or culture. Neurodiversity covers a wide range of diagnoses including autism, ADHD, speech delays, anxiety, and others. To Marley, it means that there isn’t just one “right” way for a brain to function, learn, or process information. Instead, people can think, learn, and experience the world in many different ways. Sometimes, neurodiverse individuals can be incorrectly associated with negative traits such as “laziness” or a lack of social skills. Marley was inspired by the need for more empathy, understanding, and acceptance of those whose brains work a little differently.
“Many people lack knowledge about neurodiversity,” Marley explained. “These people in our community, including professionals, often do not understand the behaviors, actions, and abilities of children and adults with neurodiversity. Due to this lack of education and awareness, they often mistreat or misunderstand people who are different than them.”
To kick off her project, Marley designed and sold beaded bracelets with positive affirmations at a Girl Scout leader meeting, a local yoga studio, and to friends and family. Her small business effort raised over $500, enough to fund all the art supplies and publish a book connected to her project.
She then invited 26 participants—children and adults who live, love, or work with neurodiversity—to make art pieces expressing what they wished the world understood about their experiences. These powerful, heartfelt creations became the core of her project. Marley matted each piece of artwork and organized a three-week art show at Embrace Counseling, complete with an opening reception attended by over 40 guests. The walls were filled with color, emotion, and stories—each one a window into the world of neurodiversity. She also compiled the artwork into a hardcover book, distributing 20 copies to counseling offices, schools, and other community spaces. Her goal? To keep spreading awareness long after the art show ended.
During her art show reception, Marley offered attendees the chance to paint kindness rocks—each decorated with uplifting words or designs. Later, she transformed these rocks into a Kindness Rock Garden outside Embrace Counseling and the Tidewater Psychiatric Center, complete with a handmade sign. She and Embrace Counseling continue to maintain the garden, ensuring it remains a symbol of understanding.
“Our community needs more ways to allow these children and adults to express their true selves and advocate for this better understanding,” Marley said. “This could lead to a more inclusive community, better treatment of others, and empowerment.”
Marley’s creativity and compassion have created ripples of change that will continue to grow. Thanks to her, more people are learning to see neurodiversity not as a limitation, but as a beautiful part of human diversity.
