side menu icon

Girl Scouts and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy

For more than 100 years Girl Scouts has stood for making the world a better place, and pledged to “help people at all times.” Those words carry great weight and responsibility and inspire us with strength as we denounce institutional racism, violence, injustice, and inequity.

Read our Council statement on Antiracism HERE
Read our GSUSA National President's open letter HERE
Sign Girl Scouts Stands Against Racism Pledge HERE

Resources for Troop Leaders and Volunteers

Whether you're a parent/caregiver or Girl Scout troop leader, offering a safe space for your girl to talk about important issues is vital. Review these resources as you navigate discussions.

Volunteer Essentials: Engaging Girls & Families

  • Creating a Safe Place for Girls
  • Communicating Effectively with Girls of Any Age
  • When Sensitive Topics Come Up
  • Volunteer Policies and Procedures (includes non-discrimination policy, whistleblower procedures, and more)

Safety Activity Checkpoints

  • Pages 13-14 cover emotional safety and mental health.

Girl Scouting is a partnership between girls, volunteers and families. To be responsive to girls’ needs and interests in challenging times where personal values and experiences may be part of a "safe space" conversation, we request that troop leaders seek permission from families first.

Permission to Participate in a Sensitive Issues Discussion [PDF]

Ways to Take Action

As a girl-led organization we support our Girl Scouts' passion and desire to make a difference within their own communities. See below a living lists of resources for Girl Scout advocates.

Girl Scouts' Highest Awards

Bronze. Silver. Gold. These represent the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn. All three awards give girls the chance to do big things while supporting an issue they care about. Highest Award Girl Scouts are impacting the worlds of STEM, education, agriculture, medicine, and culture. 

Learn how to earn Highest Awards.

Ways to Learn

The following resources serve as a starting point for conversation and education.

Girl Scouts' Resources
Cultural/Museums
 

Do you have any resources that you would like to share with us? Tell us here!

Printable Resources

Download printable versions of the "Racism and hate have no place here" image.