We all know there is a shortage of women leaders . . . right? Girl Scouts has the formula for fixing this.

Girl Scouts has an impressive track record of teaching girls leadership skills throughout their life. More than two-thirds of U.S. Congress women and 80% of women business owners were Girl Scouts. If Thin Mints and Shortbread Cookies are the only thing you think about when you hear the words “Girl Scout Cookies,” you need to think again.

The Cookie Activity program teaches girls goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.  The Cookie Activity program is a big part of being a Girl Scout, but we are so much more.  GSUSA has done in-depth research and developed programs aimed at training girls to be leaders in all fields, including science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Our new CEO of GSUSA, Anna Maria Chavez, has a bold goal. She wants to close the leadership gap between men and women within one generation. To accomplish this goal, Girl Scouts is initiating a multi-year campaign called ToGetHerThere.

This initiative celebrates 100 years of trailblazing and rallies the nation around the cause of girls’ leadership. ToGetHerThere sets in motion a generational change, so that every girl can blossom into her full leadership potential. It builds a creative and supportive environment that helps pave her path to success.

A research study, ToGetHerTher: Girls’ Insight on Leadership, reveals that while girls are generally optimistic about their futures, they still see glass ceilings in today’s society that will prevent them from achieving their leadership potential. “it is abundantly clear that our girls have a vision of their leadership potential that is compatible with what we know they can achieve,”, states Chavez.

Girl Scouts marked its 100^th anniversary on March 12^th. It continues to be as vital and vibrant as the girls we serve. Girl Scouts has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl: a celebration of girls, recognition of their leadership potential, and a commitment to creating a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in support of balanced leadership in the workplace and in communities across the county.