By: Lime Green
Giraffe Copy Editor, Sydnie C.
When
asked what girls would gain from Girl Scout Day at the Capitol, Girl Scouts of
Greater Atlanta CEO, Amy Dosik, replied that girls would learn how to use their
voices to advocate for issues important to them and to gain a greater
understanding of the legislative process. From the intrigue and fascination
that radiated from the faces of my fellow Girl Scout sisters throughout the
duration of the event, I think it is safe to say that not only did they learn
about the legislative process, but they were also enthralled by it. Mission
accomplished, Ms. Dosik.
On
the morning of February 7th, dozens of organizations such as firefighters,
fraternities, court workers, and others flocked to the Capitol to meet with
elected officials and to have a photo-op with Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal.
Scattered in the sea of these legislative-savvy citizens were waves of Girl
Scouts. Clad in uniforms emblazoned with an array of badges and patches, Girl
Scouts eagerly participated in the events, which included a scavenger hunt, a
photo-op with Governor Deal, and an informative panel about the importance of
women in politics.
The
day started with a Capitol-wide scavenger hunt, where Girl Scouts were
challenged to look for artifacts scattered around the Capitol building.
Excitement buzzed through the hallowed corridors of the Capitol as girls
checked off the items from their scavenger hunt lists. In between activities,
girls had the opportunity to sit in the House and Senate’s respective galleries
to witness assignment of bills to committees.
Mid-morning,
girls then posed with Governor Deal on the Capitol steps in the North Wing for
a photograph. Amid the buzz from chattering Girl Scouts and before the picture,
I was able to inquire about the Governor’s favorite Girl Scout cookie. While
the Governor admitted that he was a fan of all Girl Scout cookies, he also
shared a heartwarming anecdote about how the First Lady drinks her tea out of a
Girl Scout mug every morning.
The
day culminated with a panel featuring Representatives Meagan Hanson, Paulette
Paulding, Renitta Shannon, and Michelle Henson. Although these women hailed
from different districts around the state of Georgia, they promoted a kindred
message to girls: exercise your voice.
Representative
Hanson told girls that she first got involved in politics, because she grew
tired of only being represented by “Bills, Bobs, and Richards.” As noted by
Hanson, fifty percent of her district’s population is composed of women, so who
better to represent the women of her district than a woman. Hanson also shared
an unsettling fact that only one woman has been elected as a Senator to serve
the state of Georgia at the national level. Her tenure was halted a mere
twenty-four hours after her election, meaning that she never got to serve in
that position.
Representative
Paulding encouraged girls to get involved in their student council and to
attend their school board meetings. She also warned girls to not only follow
national elections, but also local elections because those directly impact
girls’ respective communities. Her parting advice urged girls to be aware of
current events and to build rapports with their elected officials.
Representative
Shannon reminded girls of the importance of representation. Shannon discussed
how firefighters were developing more chronic, life-threatening illnesses
compared to other careers. The state of Georgia, in turn, provided a healthcare
program to firefighters who had been diagnosed with lung, prostate, and other
cancers. Shannon and others realized that the list of cancers included cancers
that were exclusive to male firefighters but not to female firefighters.
Shannon and women from her district successfully rallied together to get
cancers, like cervical cancer, added to the list that was covered by the health
care program.
Representative
Henson stressed the importance of volunteering. Much like Representative
Hanson, Henson reminded girls of the dearth of women in politics. As mentioned
by Henson, no female has ever served in the capacity of Speaker of the House,
Lieutenant Governor, or Governor for the state of Georgia.
The
overarching message presented in the speech’s of these powerful women precisely
encapsulated the overall theme for the day: “You are never too young to be
involved.”
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