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Black History Month

Honoring African American Leadership in Girl Scouts during Black History Month -- February

Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council is proud to celebrate the diversity and culture of African Americans, across the USA and beyond. During Black History Month, we honor our National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA, First Lady Michelle Obama and African American Girl Scout leaders and volunteers who make a difference in our council and the community all year long.

First Lady Michelle Obama is Honorary National President of Girl Scouts of the USA

"It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts," said Mrs. Obama. "With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change - in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe." In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1917, when First Lady Edith B. Wilson became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scout movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post.

Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.

"From bullying to obesity to concern over the economy, our nation's girls are facing significant challenges," said Kathy Cloinger, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. "Girl Scouts is excited to work with the First Lady's office to ensure that all girls can overcome the challenges they face, and that they have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to become strong, independent young leaders."

"Girl Scouts can help girls from every background develop their self-confidence and leadership ability, and encourage them to make a difference in the world," said Connie L. Lindsey, Girl Scouts of the USA National Board Chair. "The First Lady is a passionate, brilliant and inspirational woman - a fantastic role model for girls across the country. We look forward to an active and mutually rewarding partnership on issues important to girls' lives."

Nikki Dodd - Troop Leader, Troop Consultant/Organizer

Formerly a Girl Scout Brownie and Junior, Nikki readily volunteered to be a troop leader at the age of 19 when she heard from her mother Lupe (then the La Mesita Service Unit manager) that one of the schools needed leaders. Even though she didn't have a child herself, she became the Girl Scout spirit at the school. Without her help, many of the girls—who were from low-income, single-parent homes—would not have been able to participate in Girl Scouts. Through the sisterhood of Girl Scouting, one of the girls and her sister became Nikki's foster sisters.

Nikki's next Girl Scout journey took her to Polinsky Children's Center, where she and her mother/co- leader, share Girl Scouting with an ever-changing group of girls. They happily face the challenges of preparing high quality programs for a varied group that might range from five to 25 girls on any given day. It is an incredibly rewarding experience that fulfills Nikki's belief that every girl everywhere should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout.

Nikki also started a Brownie troop at San Miguel Elementary School when she found out one of her former foster sisters could not find a troop leader in the area. The girls are now sixth- to eighth-grade Cadettes. Also a valuable member of the Lemon Grove Service Unit team, she is a point person for new leaders, troop consultant and San Miguel Elementary School troop organizer. Next year, Nikki's daughter, Lelia, will finally be old enough to be a Daisy. However, Grandma Lupe will be her troop leader since Nikki is still leading her Cadettes.

Tanya Foreman - Treasurer, Event Director

Tanya believes that Girl Scouts provides the best opportunity for girls to live, learn and laugh and that volunteering helps to make the world a better place. She leads a troop of 19 girls ranging from Brownies to Cadettes, and serves as the treasurer and event director for the Camp Pendleton Service Unit. Fondly referred to as a jack-of-all-trades extraordinaire, Tanya was the glue that kept the service unit running smoothly when there were not as many helping hands as there are today. As she embarks on new adventures with a permanent change of station in July, she'll be leaving behind a service unit that is stronger, healthier and capable of serving more girls because of her.
Before moving to California, Tanya volunteered her time and talents to her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, as a treasurer and fundraising chairperson. She is a proud Marine wife who works at Santa Margarita Elementary School on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base as a special circumstances instructional aide and math tutor. Once a Girl Scout herself, Tanya has instilled Girl Scout values in both her daughters, a Brownie and a Cadette who are also in her troop. Tanya's motto is, "Change the world; don't let it change you."

Mia Watson Good - Troop Consultant/Organizer , Cookie Area Manager

Mia Watson-Good is the Cadette, Senior, Ambassador and Independent troop consultant and troop organizer of the Oceanside Service Unit. Upon first joining the service unit after retiring from military service, she stepped up as its manager in the midst of a full service unit team turnover. Her energy and leadership helped rally the new team into a functioning, cohesive group. They strengthened recruitment efforts and started short term troops in new schools as a way of mentoring parents to take on leadership roles. As a result, new leaders confidently emerged to join a growing, supportive team. At every turn, Mia promoted the Girl Scout Promise and Law, sisterhood and an encouraging can-do spirit. She has also served as the Encampmentpalooza director and service unit cookie coordinator.

This year, Mia is mentoring the new service unit cookie coordinator and managing cookie sales in her area. She is planning the multi-service unit Thinking Day, an annual international festival and recruitment event. Her service unit manager, Tracey Emanuel, says, “She is the reason I am in Girl Scouts.” She is also known as a reliable and resourceful volunteer who has a craft for every subject and knows how any activity ties into a badge or award. She has a passion for tennis that rivals her daughter's love of soccer. In her spare time, Mia runs her wholesale scone baking business, The Scone Zone.

Lupe Jenkins - Trainer, Troop Leader

Lupe joined Girl Scouts as her daughter's Brownie troop leader, and has been helping girls and adults learn and grow ever since. She has been a member of the Girl Scout University volunteer training team for many years, specializing in the Brownie program and developing new trainers. She also coaches leaders on conflict resolution and peacekeeping, while inspiring a keener insight into living by the Girl Scout Law.

Lupe has held various service unit team positions over the past 25 years and currently co-leads a group of 45 girls with her daughter, Nikki. Lupe will happily share that the "love of her life" is her granddaughter Lelia, who is four years old and took her first steps in the council offices - of course! Lupe is an associate government program analyst at Caltrans.

Pamela Gray Payton - Troop Leader, Board Member

Pamela Gray Payton is a council board member and Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs at the University of San Diego. She develops and implements the University's public relations strategies program, which includes university communications; crisis communications; and media, community and government relations. A former Girl Scout Brownie and Junior, she formed troops at her daughters' elementary schools in 1995 and again in 2007 so they could experience Girl Scouting, too. In addition to leading a 12-member Brownie/Junior troop at the Rock Academy, she is active in the American Association of University Women, California Elected Women's Association for Education and Little Sistah's in the Know, San Diego Chapter. Pamela and her husband, Jerome, have four children away in college and an eight-year-old Brownie at home.

Maxine Peoples - Master Trainer

Lifetime member and master trainer Maxine Peoples first joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie. She was a troop leader for her daughter's troop and wore many hats on the former Murphy Canyon Service Unit team. Maxine's impressive leadership record includes serving on the National Training Commission and as a council delegate, national operational volunteer and trainer instructor. She became the council president in 1998. After her three-year term, she returned to educating and mentoring not only leaders, but also new trainers. Maxine helps leaders make the most of Girl Scout program materials, and empowers them to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

Iyonna Hill Roberson - Co-Manager

Now a capable and enthusiastic service unit co-manager, Iyonna got her start as a Girl Scout volunteer when she moved to Camp Pendleton with her son and daughter (then four years old and one year old). She saw a poster about Girl Scouts and, always the proactive citizen, decided to volunteer even though she did not have Girl Scout-aged children. Iyonna saw there was a need for a service unit manager and willingly stepped into the role. She has been involved with all aspects of the service unit, from recruitment to event planning. Although her husband is deployed and she recently started a new job, Iyonna is still fully committed to excelling in her manager position. Her daughter is now two years old and proudly wears a “Future Girl Scout” T-shirt.

Vanessa Smith - Troop Leader, Activity Consultant, Site Sale Coordinator

Vanessa has been an active Girl Scout volunteer since her daughter was a Daisy. She currently serves as activity consultant and cookie site sale coordinator of the Diamond Service Unit. She has held other service unit positions including manager, event director, fall sale coordinator and treasurer. Despite having 11-year-old triplets and running a business, Vanessa gives an endless number of hours to Girl Scouts, School Site Council and the School's Parent Teacher Organization. She also serves as the treasurer and event coordinator for the Little Sistah's In the Know book club.

Vanessa passes on her passion for service to her Junior-Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 5101. The troop regularly represents the council at community service activities across the county, such as the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, flag presentations, tree plantings, coastal cleanups and parades. They also played a vital role in the success of the recent Girl Scouts book drive for the UCSD Moores Cancer Center. She can be counted on to present positive solutions, ideas and information to the service unit. Vanessa leads by example, mentoring new leaders and connecting with community partners to help raise funds for her service unit. She is a quiet force that strongly supports, encourages and brings quality opportunities to the Girl Scout and San Diego communities