Connections Newsletter | January-February 2025

2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program Begins Sunday, Jan. 26

America’s Sweetest and Most Beloved Tradition is almost here! To celebrate the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program, which kicks off in San Diego and Imperial counties on Sunday, Jan. 26, a group of A-Troop Girl Scouts visited the San Diego Zoo and this year’s cookie program mascot, the giant panda. Girl Scouts got a private tour of Panda Ridge to see Xin Bao, the Zoo’s 4-year-old female giant panda and presented her with an honorary Girl Scout membership card.

Girl Scouts also enjoyed breakfast and heard from inspiring female leaders who are trailblazers in their fields: Nicki Boyd, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Curator of Mammals, Ambassadors and Applied Behavior; Erika Kohler, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Zoo; and Carol M Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego.

Thank you, San Diego Zoo, for this incredible opportunity!

Save the date: the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program begins in San Diego and Imperial counties on Sunday, Jan. 26 and runs through March 9. Learn more and register to participate at sdgirlscouts.org/cookies.

Honoring Cool Women, Investing in Emerging Leaders

At the Cool Women Celebration on Friday, March 14, Girl Scouts San Diego will honor exemplary women who are outstanding role models for girls. Five Cool Women honorees will share the spotlight with 53 Emerging Leader Girl Scouts in grades 10-12 who are recognized for their achievements and leadership potential.

Meet our co-chairs:

Joyce Gattas (pictured left), a 2005 Cool Woman and Dean Emeritus of SDSU College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, has long been a champion for educational excellence and community impact.
Natasha Bowman, Chief Human Resources Officer at Arcturus Therapeutics and Board Chair of Girl Scouts San Diego, brings a wealth of leadership and expertise.

We had an amazing pool of nominated candidates...Our largest one to date! Congratulations to the finalists for the 2025 class of Cool Women:

Jennifer Ahn, Valerie Attisha, Fabiola Bagula, Jennie Brooks, Julie Dubick, Zaneta S. Encarnacion, Lisa Marie Harris, Lisette Islas, Leigh Keith, Tina King, Corryn Kivett, Maya Madsen, Anne Marbarger, Kristina Martz, Luisa McCarthy, Barbara Orozco-Valdivia, Debbie Rider, Nancy Sasaki, Elaine Swann, Katherine Wichmann-Zacharias, Rohanee Zapanta

We will announce our five 2025 Cool Women honorees next month. Reserve your sponsorships, tables, or tickets for the 2025 Cool Women Celebration today.

Support Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA)

Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD) sends our heartfelt support to our sister council, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA), and all the Girl Scout families affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles. There are many ways for the GSSD community to get involved and help. Visit the GSGLA resource page to learn more about the fires’ impact, what GSGLA is doing in response, and how you can support. You can also make a difference by writing a letter of support or creating a card to show your encouragement for those who have been impacted. Thank you, Girl Scouts!

A Legacy of Empowerment in San Ysidro

In November, Girl Scout Troop 5912 celebrated a one-of-a-kind Daisy Ceremony and welcomed 10 new kindergarten and first-grade Daisies—a milestone nearly 10 years in the making. These new members include the children and grandchildren of alumnae from the 1980s, continuing a decades-long legacy of leadership and community.

Led by Gold Award Girl Scouts, the day featured a formal ceremony, heartfelt stories, and a celebration of the history of Girl Scouting. Under troop leader Irene Barajas’ guidance, troop 5912 has empowered girls in San Ysidro for more than 40 years. Now, a new generation carries on this incredible legacy, highlighting the transformative power of Girl Scouting to unite, inspire, and provide opportunities for girls from all backgrounds. Read more and see photos.

Juliette Gordon Low Quarter Unveiled

In December, the United States Mint unveiled its highly anticipated fourth and final set of American Women’s Quarters™, which includes one featuring our trailblazing founder, Juliette Gordon Low (JGL).

The quarter celebrates Juliette’s life purpose of founding Girl Scouts, where girls bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world, with the design showcasing symbols that honor the history of the Girl Scout Movement. Alongside the other coins featured in the final set of American Women’s Quarters, the JGL quarter will be produced in limited quantities for a limited time. Collector's editions will be available for purchase from the Mint.

GSSD in the News

Girl Scouting builds leaders who make a difference in their communities. During the holiday season, many individuals and troops took action to make the world a better place through highest awards and community service projects. Check out these news stories that highlight their impact:

In December, Girl Scout Troop 9810 spread holiday cheer to the residents of St. Paul’s Manor in Bankers Hill. The troop donated a holiday tree and decorated it while sharing meaningful conversations, singing carols, serving treats to the seniors, and bringing smiles all around. Check out the ABC 10 News video segment.
With her Silver Award project, Sofia supported the Safe Parking Program and brough the joy of reading to the unhoused community in Mission Valley. Learn more in this edition of CBS 8’s Zevely Zone.

Way to go, Girl Scouts! To see more local news stories featuring GSSD, visit sdgirlscouts.org/news.

Upcoming Events:

Girl Scout Cookie Program Begins—Sunday, Jan. 26 at 9 a.m.
National Girl Scout Cookie and Girl Scouts San Diego's Cookies on Tap Weekend— Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23
Girl Scouts San Diego 2025 Camp Registration Opens—February
Cool Women and Emerging Leader Girl Scouts Celebration—Friday, March 14
Operation Thin Mint Family Festival—Saturday, May 17