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Virginia Girl Scout Legislative Day 2026
The Girl Scout alum ranks are filled with phenomenal women and inspiring female changemakers. We feel a sense of pride when we read about them or see them in the news. They are our Girl Scout sisters, those who share our Girl Scout DNA. When Girl Scouts get a chance to meet these trailblazers in person, the air is ignited as girls realize the world has so many possibilities for them.
That’s what happened on February 16 during the annual Virginia Girl Scout Legislative Day when participants had the honor of attending a special reception as part of our annual tradition that empowers Girl Scouts to see government in action and use their voices to make a difference. It was a unique experience where they met a few of Virginia’s most influential women who happen to be Girl Scout alum. Among them, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King, and Virginia’s Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Sesha Joi Moon. The reception was organized by Dr. Moon, former Impact Officer for GSUSA and a Girl Scout alum with a rich history in the Movement.
Dr. Moon welcomed guests to the Patrick Henry Building where the reception was held and introduced Secretary King whose history in Girl Scouting included five years as a Girl Scout leader. She spoke about her current role as Secretary of the Commonwealth and described how her career evolved from advocacy work to legislative assistant and then to becoming a delegate in Virginia’s House of Delegates. And as a delegate, she had more than two decades of experience reviewing and passing legislation. She chose to illustrate the legislative process with a demonstration. Three Girl Scouts were chosen from the audience for a mock vote in the House and Senate with GSCCC Girl Scout Senior Martha-Ann making a proposal for a bill to end the school day at noon. With ease and smiles, Secretary King guided the demonstration that proved to be entertaining as well as educational.
Secretary King also helped introduce Governor Spanberger. A mom of three girls (two of whom are active in Girl Scouting) with a history of volunteering with Girl Scouts, the Governor made a powerful connection with the Girl Scout visitors. She spoke about the importance of Girl Scouts in preparing girls for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure. Drawing from her own experience, she talked to the Girl Scouts about the need for powerful female leaders and role models in their lives — and stressing the importance of Girl Scouts in providing girls with the leadership experiences they need to make their voices heard and effect change.
Representing GSCCC with confidence and poise, Girl Scout Senior Martha-Ann stepped up to the microphone to ask an insightful question after noticing the strength of diversity amongst Governor Spanberger’s picks: How do you choose your cabinet members and trust that their ideas will align with yours?
“I couldn’t believe that the governor took time to meet with us and stopped to answer my question,” Martha-Ann said later. “I shook her hand, and she told me that our strength comes from a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds in decision-making.”
Girl Scout Cadette Hannah from Virginia Beach was also able to deliver a packet of information and cookies to Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi’s office where she spoke at length to Chief of Staff June Laffey, also a Girl Scout alum. Their conversation ended with the benefits of the Cookie Program and the skills that Laffey said she took from it and that continue to make an impact on her life.
The group also had the opportunity to sit in on both House and Senate sessions, witnessing firsthand where bills are debated and decisions are made. The group was welcomed in the House session by Delegate Betsy Carr who represents District 78 and in the Senate session by Senator Jennifer Boysko who represents District 38 — both Girl Scout alum.
A special highlight of the day was a lunch program hosted by GSCCC Board Member Amanda Howie, Administrator of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys (VACA) who serves as Secretary on GSCCC’s Board of Directors and is a Girl Scout alum. Girl Scouts heard from prosecutors within VACA about their roles in shaping legislation and serving their communities. Among them was Mackenzie Babichenko, Hanover County’s first female Commonwealth’s Attorney, whose leadership story inspired girls to imagine themselves in roles where they can break barriers and create change.
Shaking hands, sharing ideas, and seeing strong women leaders up close was a powerful reminder that today’s Girl Scouts are tomorrow’s trailblazers. We are incredibly proud of these changemakers for representing GSCCC with professionalism, confidence, and courage. The future is bright and it’s wearing green!
