President Michelle Obama: FLOTUS Named Head Of Girl Scouts

Last week First Lady Michelle Obama was elected president...of the Girls Scouts.

From the Girl Scouts' October 8th press release:

New York, N.Y. - Girl Scouts of the USA is pleased to announce that First Lady Michelle Obama has agreed to serve as its Honorary National President.

"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 Cloninger, 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."

The Obamas invited several local girl scouts to their stargazing night on October 7th. Although Sasha and Malia aren't in a troop, the White House has been home to some alumnae, like Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. Hopefully this means FLOTUS can score a discount on a box of Thin Mints.

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Comments

[jaydeedub]

03:31 PM on 10/19/2009

I'll take 2 boxes of shortbread cookies.

[duze]

07:03 PM on 10/18/2009

I was a Girl Scout and learned many important things about being a young girl and the positive attributes as well as the responsibilities a young lady needs. I do agree that she should be more pivotal in American Politics, but I think this suits her very comfortably. She's a great mother, a positive influence on girls throughout the world and less stuffy than previous first ladies, who quite frankly carried themselves too far above the common people especially children. Our girls need so much positive influence in this world and I feel Michelle Obama is the perfect example of what education, manners, lady like qualities, and kinship throuhout the world can accomplish.
Congratulations to her and especially congratulations to the Girl Scouts. WIthout rolemodels, who a young girl can honestly believe in many girls fall into detrimental relationships that propel their entire lives. She will remind them how important the positive elements of life are. This is just wonderful.

[chulanow]

01:51 PM on 10/18/2009

Way to go Michelle....you will do wonders for the Girl Scouts!

[PintoPony]

11:00 AM on 10/18/2009

She was an EXECUTIVE in her prior life. Why can't they give her something a little more substantial to do. Put her over healthcare negotiations or reform of the care of our returning military, DAV, etc. so we can stop discussing her outfits and hairdo. This is demeaning to women....again.

[Bashley]

09:57 AM on 10/19/2009

Michelle Obama having an honorary leadership roles in the Girl Scouts is not demeaning to women. Her current role as First Lady, wife, and mother are roles she's chosen and is making the decisions that are best for her family. If she chooses to do something in her husband's administration, let HER make the decision that's best for her. What's demeaning to women are people assigning roles to us because of what they feel is comfortable or politically correct. A woman choosing to be a wife and mom is just as important as a woman choosing to be a CEO. Same as a man choosing to be a husband and father. Having a family is a great priviledge, working and being able to sustain your famiy life is an honor. Let the Obama family do what works for them, let Michelle use her past experiences and current role to lift up and raise her family as best as she can.

[db08]

06:08 PM on 10/17/2009

Congratulations to the Girl Scouts and to our First Lady!!!!

When I was a little girl, African Americans were not allowed to join. At least, that is my memory. If someone knows otherwise, I am certainly open to it.

[brooklyncitizen]

07:11 PM on 10/17/2009

Unbelievable.

[LisainNYC]

10:11 PM on 10/17/2009

Never heard of this. My Mother, an AA ,was a scout leader for many years and I and my sisters were all scouts.

[db08]

04:04 PM on 10/18/2009

I am talking about the 1950s. I should have been clearer.

[greymom]

04:50 PM on 10/17/2009

I wish they would come up with a really good gluten free cookie. 1% of the population of the United States cannot eat wheat, barley or rye. If they publicly offered a gluten free version, people like me would buy them by the case.

[Pema]

03:41 PM on 10/17/2009

as a former girl scout i think the first lady will do an excllent job! i think her concerns fit well witht he girl scouts and she'll be a great role model.

[LisainNYC]

10:13 PM on 10/17/2009

Agree!

[MicheleCA]

04:21 AM on 10/17/2009

Great! Maybe Michelle can bring her style to those uniforms!

Whatever became of those cute little green dresses?

[jukesgrrl]

02:30 AM on 10/17/2009

I was a Girl Scout for many years and learned a lot. Most importantly that I hate camping.

But, seriously, kudos to the Girl Scouts; this is good news.

[rzan1]

04:11 PM on 10/17/2009

I enjoy your comment. I was a Campfire Girl and also can't standing camping. I think Mrs. Obama is the perfect role model for girls.

[3blueeggs]

11:49 AM on 10/18/2009

I didn't get past the second meeting of the Brownies (not much of a joiner). However, I love to camp (well away from others, ha, ha)!

[ProudAuntLynda]

01:55 AM on 10/17/2009

People do understand that this position is an Honorary one. She will have no say in running the organization.

As for the price of Girl Scout cookies, the price of those cookies cover the cost of making the cookies, the share of the national level, the district level and the share that goes to the local troop. And the national share doesn't all go for salaries. There are many amazing opportunties (trips and learning experiences) that are organized on the national level that are available to every member in the age group that opportunty is set for. When I was a scout, I backpacked in Montanna, learned to sail at Mystic, Connectcut, and spent a week in Puerto Rico when I met its Governor. And my number of boxes of cookies I sold helped cover the cost of those trips. My Senior scout troop would vote each year on how the profit coming the the troop would be used - and the leaders stay out of the discussion and the vote.

Girl Scouting goals are to help instill core values of Citzenship, Leadership and Responsability.

It's been over 30 years since I last worn the uniform, but I will always be proud of my time in Scouts. I had amazing leaders, met some of the most awesome young ladies who I am sure today are productive citizens. I wore my uniform and my girl scout smile proudly for close to 15 years.

.

[AlligatorShuz]

12:03 AM on 10/17/2009

I was a brownie and a girl scout nearly 40 years ago and my daughter was in girl scouts also.

[AlaskanWannaB]

11:58 PM on 10/16/2009

I was a girl scout. I still remember this stupid song we sung back in the day. As you can tell, I really loved that "stupid" song. I think the girl and boy scouts are good organizations for kids to belong to. You learn so much from them. I did 40 years ago.

I have something in my pocket.
It belongs across my face.
And, I keep it very close at hand
In a most convenient place.
I'm sure you can not guess it,
if you guessed a long, long time.
So, I'll take it out and put it on,
It's a great big Brownie smile.

[Knowitall]

10:09 PM on 10/16/2009

The next sound you hear will be the sound of right wing parents grabbing their daughters up and stampeding out of Girl Scout meetings all over the country, especially in the south.

The reason it is so sad is because the girls who are removed would have a much better role model in FL Michelle Obama, her mother and daughters, than they would have being at home with their own mothers. Especially when the mothers explain to their daughters WHY they dragged them out of the Girl Scouts. What have we come to???

[greymom]

04:43 PM on 10/17/2009

Southern girls are involved in cheerleading camps and beauty pageants.

[oscartucker]

07:29 PM on 10/18/2009

You make a valid point. I hope mothers will not do this; it will cause their daughters to dislike them a little bit. Do you think they will tell their girls the REAL reason they pulled them out?

[Kevin Ting]

08:17 PM on 10/16/2009

yay! now would u kindly lower the prices on those cookies. :D plz...

[greymom]

04:44 PM on 10/17/2009

I hope they will get a gluten free variety. Then I don't have to be embarrassed because I am not buying them.

[TanzaniteDiamonds]

08:25 PM on 10/18/2009

Yes, good point. Maybe someday, they'll come up with a gluten free cookie.

In the meantime, you shouldn't be embarrassed because you can't buy them. It's not your fault that you cannot tolerate gluten. I empathize with anyone who has food allergies tremendously (I can't have them either).

My husband and I still buy them from some of the Girl Scouts in the neighborhood, and we take them to work. No one at work has ever turned away those Girl Scout cookies. :-)

[AmericanLeslie]

07:45 PM on 10/16/2009

Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America are two separate organizations that have never been linked. While Michelle Obama is the first black woman to serve as honorary president, the organization has had outstanding non-white women serve as national board chair during the past three decades. Girl Scouting is not a training camp for man-hating feminists or a breeding ground for lesbians and female or male pedophiles. Founder Juliette Lowstarted the organization to help all girls realize their fullest potential as empowered women, mothers and leaders. Since its inception, GSUSA has served girls from all races, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. The Girl Scouts' stance on sexuality is that - like religion - a girl member's views are most appropriately shaped and influenced by her family and not by the organization. Their organizational policy does not inhibit an individual's participation based on any discriminatory factors. GSUSA does not require adults to make public their sexual orientation. Instead, their policies state clearly that any and all displays of sexuality or attempts to influence/indoctrinate girl members toward any sexual orientation are inappropriate and forbidden. GSUSA goes to great lengths to ensure that girl and adult members are not victims of any type of sexual abuse or endangerment. However they do not make the automatic assumption that members of the LBGT community are sexual predators. The character GSUSA strives to build in girls is that which reflects a true value for inclusion, and abhors bigotry of any sort.

[JohnDewey]

10:56 PM on 10/16/2009

"Girl Scouting is not a training camp for man-hating feminists or a breeding ground for lesbians..."

More's the pity.