Eighty Girl Scouts from across the state arrived at the steps of the Indiana Statehouse to take part in the Indiana Senate Page Program. The Girl Scouts also held a special legislative event where they met with Hoosier lawmakers and were honored on the Senate floor in celebration of the Girl Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary.
The scouts honored the female legislators of the Senate, including State Senators Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) and Karen Tallian (D-Portage) by inducting them as honorary members of their Girl Scout troop.
The Girl Scouts of America was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low when she and 18 young girls held their first meeting in Savannah, Georgia. Since then the organization has grown internationally with troops in more than 90 countries and 3.7 million members in the United States. In Indiana, there are seven Girl Scout councils covering every corner of the state.
Girl Scouts is dedicated to providing an environment for girls to build character and the skills needed to succeed in the real world. By volunteering and attending programs like the legislative day, girls are exposed to leadership and learning opportunities. A recent campaign, The Power of Girls Pledge, encourages girls to investigate, share and take action on issues that face girls both locally and globally.
One of those issues include pushing for more women in elected office. The number of women holding statewide office decline from 27.6 percent in 2001 to only 22.1 percent in 2011. Women make up only 21.2 percent of the Indiana General Assembly, well below the national average of 23.4 percent.
Students in grade six through high school, may apply to be a Senate page during the legislative session. Read more on how pages can participate in the legislative process>>
