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Thousands of Girls, Celebrities, Business Leaders, and Other Influencers Convened for G.I.R.L. 2017, a Global Gathering for Every Girl
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Valerie Geiss
vgeiss@girlscouts.org
646-895-1746
Kristen Kurtz
kkurtz@kellencompany.com
917-561-2406
NEW YORK, NY (October 10, 2017) —G.I.R.L.s (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ came together for a historic summit for all girls and those who support them—G.I.R.L. 2017, hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) in Columbus, Ohio, October 6–8. The mega event provided everyone in attendance with unforgettable experiences as they gained inspiration, tools to empower themselves, and the know-how to lead change in their communities, connecting with some of the most influential women in the world along the way.
Accomplished public figures Chelsea Clinton, Gabby Douglas, Barbara Pierce Bush, Mae Jemison, and others joined G.I.R.L. 2017 throughout the weekend, leading panels and intimate breakout sessions on the pressing issues facing girls today. Many sessions featured female leaders from organizations and companies such as Facebook, Instagram, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and AT&T. Twenty-one girls from across Girl Scouts made up the core of the G.I.R.L. 2017 planning efforts, designing an event that also highlighted young stars and entrepreneurs, among them Angelica Hale and Caly Bevier from America’s Got Talent; Gabby Frost, founder of Buddy Project; and Marley Dias, creator of #1000BlackGirlBooks.
G.I.R.L. 2017 was the result of a fully inclusive approach by GSUSA, fueled by the mission to help all girls learn to lead and make a difference in their communities. On the first day of the event, GSUSA introduced the G.I.R.L. Agenda Powered by Girl Scouts, a nonpartisan initiative to inspire, prepare, and mobilize girls and those who care about them to lead positive change through civic action. The multiyear effort celebrates the Girl Scout legacy of civic engagement, and for the first time ever, GSUSA is sharing free, expert-curated civic engagement resources beyond its 2.6 million members.
“We are excited to have provided a forum where so many aspiring girl leaders can gather, connect and share at G.I.R.L. 2017," said Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "Now that the message is out that all G.I.R.L.s (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ can tap Girl Scouts as a resource, we look forward to connecting girls with activities to follow their passion and become leaders. At G.I.R.L. 2017, girls were able to engage in new experiences in the AT&T Hall of Experiences in STEM, the outdoors, finances, and much more, and hear from top women leaders. We'd like to thank our Platinum Sponsor AT&T and Gold Sponsors Big Lots Foundation and Toyota Financial Services, among others, as well as the fabulous city of Columbus, Ohio for making this gathering such a success."
The Hall of Experiences was a big draw for attendees, offering more than 100 unique experiences and hands-on activities focused on Girl Scouts’ national program pillars of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); entrepreneurship; life skills; and the outdoors. Here girls also had an opportunity to make an impact locally and globally, by taking part in the Rise Against Hunger “Take Action” project. For the project, girls packed a total of 20,768 meals for people in need—in Columbus and beyond.
Besides platinum sponsor AT&T and gold sponsors Big Lots Foundation and Toyota Financial Services, G.I.R.L. 2017 backers included silver sponsors Nationwide (through its Make Safe Happen program) and American Electric Power; bronze sponsors American Petroleum Institute, JOANN Stores, Little Brownie Bakers (a division of the Kellogg Company), and Thirty-One Gifts; and pearl sponsors ABC Bakers, General Mills, Hogan Lovells US LLP, JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG LLP, Palmer & Cay, PayPal, Preemadonna, Macy’s, Mercer, and Visit Orlando. Girl Scouts of the USA thanks all of its sponsors for their generous support and for championing the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
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G.I.R.L. 2017
G.I.R.L. 2017 was held October 6–8, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Thousands of go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders from around the globe, as well as those who support them, joined together for a one-of-a-kind event. Visit girlscouts.org/girl2017 to learn more.
We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.6 million strong—1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
