May 2013

Cool Women: Raising the bar

Today’s Girl Scouts can dream big – thanks to extraordinary role models who have opened doors for women in technology, education, the arts, civil rights, education and finance. San Diego’s 10 Cool Women of 2013 are among those luminaries.

Pictured above are first-ever Cool Girl Snigdha Nandipati (back row, second from left) with 2013 Cool Women (seated, from left) Dolores Huerta, Ellen Whelan, Rosibel Mancillas Lopez, Joye Blount, Zandra Rhodes, Pauline Foster, Lee Ann Kim, Kathryn Ashworth, Cindy Marten and Arlene Harris. The prior Cool Women who introduced them included (standing) Irma Castro, Susan Mallory, Carmen Vazquez (representing Mary Lyons), Ronne Froman, Jeanne Jones, Linda Katz, Karen Keltner, Gail Levin, Rana Sampson, Barbara Bry and Connie Matsui. Girl Scouts (front row) Lisa Ruiz Arjona, Andrea Quintanar, Reagan Cloutier and Roni Nelson assisted during the ceremony. (See photo album.)

Seven of our honorees are former Girl Scouts, including incoming San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten, who brought her sash to the Cool Women luncheon. She says, "The leadership skills and experience I gained while earning my Gold Award have been foundational."

Congratulations to the Cool Women Class of 2013 for setting a shining example of how high girls can soar!

Jo Dee C. Jacob
Chief Executive Officer

Touchdown, lady sports fanatics!
Time to tackle a new sport! Adult women and girls in grades 9-12 are invited to huddle for our Women’s Football Academy on Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. SDSU Aztecs Head Coach Rocky Long, his players and staff will teach the basics of football, run drills and provide ideas for athletic-related careers such as training, sportscasting or managing. Cost of $30 includes breakfast and lunch, a T-shirt, gift bag and two tickets to an SDSU home football game. All proceeds benefit our Live Healthy, Lead Healthy initiative.

Presenting our new board members
At our April board of directors meeting, we saluted outgoing Chair Katie Sullivan and board members Sharon Cohen, Tracey DeBello, Pamela Gray Payton, Hollyce Phillips and Lori Rappaport for their outstanding service. Katie’s last official duty was to install her successor, Debbie Rider, and board members Regina Buckley, Beth Burns, Heather Clarke, Barbara Lamb, Susan J. Luehrs, Ralph Pesqueira and Denise Scott. Welcome, all!

Katie (left) and Debbie

Camp spotlight
Springtime fun: Marine biology to meteorology
Sarah (left) and Patrisha studied sharks’ teeth and swimming patterns on a visit to the Stephen Birch Aquarium during Science Safari day camp. The girls also took a trip to the San Diego Zoo; conducted gooey, glowing, melting and explosive experiments; and enjoyed making science-themed crafts such as animal masks. (See photos.)

Summer adventures await
Girl Scout Seniors Kelly (left) and Anamaria can’t wait for summer camp, where themes range from archery to zoology. Each girl earned a free session by selling more than 525 boxes of cookies. They have plenty of choices, with 144 overnight sessions planned at Camp Winacka and Camp Whispering Oaks, and 32 day camps held countywide. Register online or by mail. To learn more, attend our resident camp open house on Sunday, June 16, 1-4 p.m. or contact the camp staff.

P.S.: We’re looking for a few more great counselors to join our resident camp summer team. Contact camp@sdgirlscouts.org to apply.

A lifetime of courage, confidence and character
Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout! Sonoma State student Elizabeth Bradley posted on Facebook: “I am so grateful that I was able to be a Girl Scout for 12 years and now have my lifetime membership. This wonderful organization allowed me to become the strong woman I am today.” Elizabeth is pursuing a career in science and looks forward to leading a troop one day. Learn more about lifetime memberships here – including discounts for graduating high school seniors ($180 off regular price of $300) – and follow us on Facebook.com/sdgirlscouts.

Additional events

• Operation Thin Mint_® Sendoff Celebration – Saturday, May 4
• Conversation of Consequence – Wednesday, May 8
• Volunteer Conference and Celebration – Saturday, Aug. 3
• Urban Campout 2013 – Friday, Sept. 6

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