Girl Scouts of Colorado CEO Leanna Clark
Dear Girl Scout community,
I’m proud to be part of the Girl Scout community — a place where the fundamental values of respect for all and inclusivity are at the core of our being. For more than 100 years, we’ve prepared girls to lead, to speak up and speak out, and to take action for change.
As we try to process what happened in Minnesota to George Floyd, in Atlanta to Ahmaud Arbery, and in Louisville to Breonna Taylor; as we grasp the reality of the protests here in Colorado and around the nation; and we see violent images on the nightly news and in our social media feeds, I ask our Girl Scout community to stand together and support each other.
We need to live the words of our Promise and Law now more than ever. Now is the time to be courageous and strong, to respect ourselves and others, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
We are better together.
Although I’m new here (just starting my second week as CEO), I’ve already felt the warm embrace of this community. We are here for you. For those of us experiencing racism, we are holding you close. And for those standing as an ally, we stand with you.
As a girl-serving organization, we know your heart will turn to “how do I address this with my children?” so we’ve asked our Chief Outdoor Programs Officer Lindsay Standish, who is a child life specialist and recreation therapist, to provide some resources and tips because we know these conversations are difficult and important. In addition, these resources specific to talking about race may be useful as well.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture developed a web portal, Talking About Race, to provide resources.
Resources for educating kids about racism and privilege.
Part of our mission is to make the world a better place. Today, we are called upon to recommit to that mission as a community. We have a long way to go, but as Girl Scouts, I know we are up for it.
Sincerely,
Leanna Clark Chief Executive Officer Girl Scouts of Colorado