Four Local Girl Scouts to Represent Girl Scouting Worldwide at the United Nation’s 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Girl Scouts will participate in panel discussions, meet world leaders, connect with Girl Scout sisters from across the country, and advocate for gender equality.
MILWAUKEE, WI – (February 19, 2025) – This March, four local Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) will travel to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City to represent Girl Scouting on a global stage at the United Nation’s 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The CSW is a functional commission of the United Nations, dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. Annually, national representatives gather for a two-week session between March 10-21 to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards, and formulate concrete policies.
While at CSW, Girl Scouts will engage with leaders on global advocacy, learn about global issues, see firsthand how global entities function, and raise their voices on key global issues impacting girls and young women. After, these four local Girl Scout delegates will reach an additional 400 girls in their communities by sharing their CSW experiences through back-home amplification projects that inform even more girls about CSW and other global opportunities in Girl Scouting.
"What is most exciting to me about attending CSW is speaking with those who have experience and accomplishments in the field of advancing women's rights. I hope that meeting and observing seasoned activists will allow me to become a better, more effective activist,” said Kailey P., a local Muskego Girl Scout Ambassador and CSW delegate. “I love being a Girl Scout because of the opportunities—like this—that it has granted me; I have become a leader, an activist, and so much more. Being a PA at camp, organizing meetings, and earning badges have helped me learn and grow as a person."
Each year, Girl Scouts of the USA joins over 5,000 women and girls from around the world at the United Nations Headquarters to participate in CSW. Following a rigorous national application process and round of interviews, a total of 16 Girl Scouts from across the country were selected; of the total 16 Girl Scouts, the following four local Girl Scouts were selected as delegates to represent Girl Scouting:
- Sophia B. (Girl Scout Ambassador in 11th grade) of Brookfield, WI: Sophia has been a Girl Scout since 1st grade. She is a GSWISE girl board member, is involved in Girl Scout camp as a camper and Program Aide and is now a Counselor-in-Training, where she works with Girl Scouts of all ages and backgrounds. She is also working towards earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. Sophia is interested in pursuing a career in politics focusing on gender equality and equal access to healthcare and education.
- Kailey P. (Girl Scout Ambassador in 11th grade) of Muskego, WI: Kailey has been a Girl Scout since K5. She’s involved in her Service Unit’s Day Camp as a Program Aide, has earned the Bronze Award, is working towards earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, and founded her own non-profit (EcoAid) which addresses community poverty by turning discarded plastics and textile waste into blankets for the homeless. Kailey is interested in pursuing a career in science and healthcare.
- Hannah L.-S. (Girl Scout Ambassador in 11th grade) of Milwaukee, WI: Hannah has been a Girl Scout since K5. She is a GWSISE girl board member, attends Girl Scout camp, is part of GSWISE’s Girl Scout Leadership Network (girl advisory group to the CEO), and is working towards earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. Hannah wishes to focus her higher education studying public policy.
- Gemma V. (Girl Scout Senior in 10th grade) of Milwaukee, WI: Gemma has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. Gemma participates in council events, CampHERO (a GSWISE camp focused on male-dominated careers in the protective services), volunteers with her younger sister’s troop, is part of GSWISE’s Girl Scout Leadership Network (girl advisory group to the CEO), and does speaking and media opportunities on behalf of the council. She is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
“We are beyond proud to have these distinguished young ladies represent our council and champion girl representation worldwide,” said Ana Simpson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “The experience they will get in exchange for their exceptional hard work is commendable, and they are ready to embrace this real-life learning and adventure that Girl Scouting is all about.”
“I am most looking forward to expanding my perspectives at CSW. There are so many amazing women, organizations, and groups of people that attend CSW and bring their own experiences and viewpoints to share,” said Hannah L.-S., a local Milwaukee Girl Scout Ambassador and CSW delegate. As someone who is hoping to go into international policy and who loves advocating for and with other women, I'm really looking forward to meeting people who are different from me who share the same goals for gender equality that I do."
“I’m most looking forward to being able to make a real-world impact on issues such as the oppression of women’s rights and increasing sustainability on a global scale. This is something that I never expected to be able to do at my age, and I’m excited to further advance my values,” said Sophia B., a local Brookfield Girl Scout Ambassador and CSW delegate.
The main focus of the sixty-ninth session will be on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The review will include an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE)
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. We serve approximately 11,700 girls in grades K5-12 and 5,800 adults who believe in our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With programs in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties, we give every Girl Scout in our council the chance to reach their full leadership potential. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit gswise.org, email customercare@gswise.org, or call 800-565-4475.
To learn more, visit www.gswise.org
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