Advocacy

Girl Scouts San Diego is committed to being a voice for issues that are important to girls in our communities. In partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), we engage with local leaders to build support for the Girl Scout Movement, promote girl leadership opportunities, and help all girls build the skills and confidence to advocate on behalf of themselves and others.

Key issues related to girls and the Girl Scout Movement include:

Economic opportunities for girls.
Increased involvement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Strengthening girls’ entrepreneurial and financial literacy and skills.
Healthy living opportunities for girls.
Expanding girls’ access to outdoor adventure.
Preventing bullying and relational aggression, and fostering healthy relationship skills.
Global citizenship and a global voice for girls.
Stewarding a strong nonprofit community and Girl Scout experience.

Check out our Federal Legislative Agenda and State Legislative Agenda for more information, and view our Equity and Social Justice page with resources for girls, families, and troop leaders.

What Can Girls Do?

Use Your Voice

G.I.R.L. Agenda: Our nonpartisan initiative to prepare girls to make positive change in their communities through civic action.
Civic Action Toolkit: Be a Change Agent, Community Advocate, or Civic Champion
Go Global: Participate in activities to promote and address global issues that affect your local community.
Elected officials: Find and engage with them on issues that matter to you.
Social media: Post your Girl Scout story and mention @sdgirlscouts with the hashtag #BestPlace4Girls.

What Does GSSD Do?

Community Engagement and Elected Officials

Did you know that 55 percent of women in Congress, 52 percent of female business leaders, and more than 50 million women nationwide are Girl Scout alums? Girl Scouts San Diego seeks to connect with our alums, and all leaders in our community, to engage more girls, families, and community members in Girl Scouts.

Our staff and volunteer leadership meet and partner regularly with local elected officials across party lines to educate and advance support of the Girl Scout Movement in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

RepDavis_soc_KT2019_MariaB_IsabelS_Lani_AlexM_MeetWith_RepSusanDavis_ (80)

Girl Scout Ambassadors Maria Burritt and Isabel Silva, along with Girl Scout staff, met with Rep. Susan Davis (53^rd District) in November 2019 to talk about the importance of civics education and to share civic engagement opportunities they have experienced through Girl Scouts. Among their many experiences, Maria and Isabel have both explored issues important to women and girls and honed their decision making skills with Girl Scouts’ Global Arms of Advocacy and Girl Advisory Board.

^{CEO Carol Dedrich meeting with San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob}
^{CEO Carol Dedrich and staff with Congresswoman Susan Davis (a
Girl Scout alum)}
^{CEO Carol Dedrich meeting with San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond}

Girl Scouts San Diego representatives have met with members of the County Board of Supervisors and shared updates on our use of the County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program grant. With help from this grant, Girl Scouts has provided financial assistance, training, and support to more than 500 girl and volunteer members and 60 new troops in under-represented areas since 2018.

We look forward to continued conversations with elected officials throughout the year. If you are, or have a recommendation for, an elected official or community leader we should partner with, please contact us.