As we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout Gold Award in 2016, we’re recognizing all the amazing women who earned Girl Scouts’ highest award. Want to share your story? Take our Girl Scout alumnae survey.
For Gold Award recipient Tina Capps, achievement in Girl Scouting is a family affair.
Tina earned her Gold Award in 1985 by building an accessible playground at a school serving children with disabilities—a playground that is still in use today. Inspired by her example, each of Tina’s four daughters has earned her Gold Award, pursuing projects based on their individual passions.
“Girl Scouting is a way of life for my family,” Tina says. “I’m very proud of each of my daughters and can’t wait for my granddaughter to start kindergarten so she can continue the family legacy.”
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Amy Chelgreen understands the importance of service. She earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by setting up an exposition in her local mall showing that exercise and fitness could be fun. Today, Amy continues to better the lives of those around her by working for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I am constantly learning, growing and looking forward to new opportunities that allow me to use my skills first honed in Girl Scouts to make the world a better place for me, my daughter, girls and all humans,” she says.
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For Girl Scout alumna and Gold Award recipient Krysten Thomas, Girl Scouts has helped her every step of the way in her career. As a teenager, Krysten discovered her passion for health advocacy through her Gold Award project, “Get Up and Dance!” a free dance program for children. She landed her first two jobs in politics through connections she made at Girl Scout Camp CEO and as a Girl Scout Congressional Aide. Today, working as legislative staffer on Capitol Hill, Krysten says that she has Girl Scouts to thank for making all the difference in her life and career.
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Through Girl Scouts, girls find their passion and explore potential careers. Take Girl Scout alumna Colleen Duffy, whose Gold Award project sparked a lifelong interest in STEM. Colleen earned her Gold Award in 1999 by making a local campsite wheelchair accessible, widening doors and paths and building ramps to the cabins. Today, as an engineer and proud parent to two Girl Scouts, Colleen says the lifelong lessons and skills gained through Girl Scouting helped her become a leader in a male-dominated field.
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