Leadership, friendship and service: The Girl Scouts celebrate 113th birthday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Girl Scouts have stood the test of time, empowering young girls for over a century.

But beyond the cookies and badges, they’re shaping future leaders through service and hands-on learning.

“We are celebrating the birthday of girl scouts today, so National Girl Scout Day, we’re celebrating the 113th birthday for girl scouts, recognizing all of the different special things that girl scouts has to offer,” said Ginger Lallo, President of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England.

With nearly 4,000 members locally, the organization provides opportunities from STEM to leadership development.

The iconic cookie program is more than a fundraiser, it’s a business lesson.

“So they’re running it like it’s their own cookie business, it is their own cookie business, and the cookie program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial business in the world,” said Lallo.

Through troop-led initiatives, girls give back with service projects like community cleanups and even international trips funded through cookie sales.

“Girl scouts, through the sales of cookies, it is cookie season as we speak and have raised money to go abroad and do service projects in other countries, through the selling of their cookies,” said Lallo.

After 113 years, the girl scouts remain committed to their mission.

“We’re building girls of confidence, courage, and character, we make the world a better place,” said Lallo.

“And that’s really the core of what we’re doing, we want our members to be able to give back to our communities, instill strong values to our members and develop a sense of civic engagement and community.”

A legacy of leadership, friendship and service is continuing to shape girls into confident, capable women nationwide.