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Geena Davis
Founder, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Award-winning actress Geena Davis served as the keynote speaker during convention, commenting on the benefits of instilling leadership qualities in young women:
“The Girl Scouts teaches girls to be true to themselves and to remember who they are,” said Davis, founder of The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Davis, who is well known for motivating male and female audiences with her passionate advocacy of gender equity, Title IX legislation prohibiting gender discrimination in educational institutions, and personal and professional self-fulfillment, shared her views on how young and older women can be empowered through effective leadership.
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Marie C. Wilson
President, The White House Project
http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/newsroom/resources/
A leading advocate and voice on women’s issues, Marie C. Wilson engaged convention attendees with insightful prose and thought-provoking questions such as: “If all she’s ever told to be is a good girl, how will she grow up to be a great woman?”
Wilson is founder and president of The White House Project, co-creator of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and author of Closing the Leadership Gap: Add Women, Change Everything (Penguin 2008).
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Tatyana McFadden
Paralympics athlete
 Watch Tatyana’s speech |
With a sweet smile to match her indisputable competitive spirit, 19-year-old Paralympic athlete Tatyana McFadden spoke openly and honestly about some of the trials and tribulations she’s endured.
McFadden shared how she was often placed on the sidelines by her peers and teachers who didn’t understand her disability or her passion for sports. “At my elementary school, they wouldn’t allow me to play on the playground—or take part in any athletic activities. [But] my earliest memory was that in Girl Scouts I could do anything!”
McFadden, who won silver medals in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter races, and a bronze in the 4 x 100 relay at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, and currently holds the U.S. record in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter events, says, “No one should live their life on the sidelines—the view is much better from the middle of the track… my favorite place to be.”
Tatyana lives in Maryland and is currently enrolled as a freshman at the University of Illinois.
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Songstresses Extraordinaire:
Karina, Chrisette Michele, and Teresa
Def Jam Records Recording Artist
 Watch Karina perform |
Entertaining convention attendees through music and song were Def Jam recording artists Karina and Chrisette Michele, along with Brave New Girls artist Teresa.
During the opening ceremony, which was held on Thursday, October 30, 17-year-old Karina, who recently released her debut album, First Love, sang a number of songs, including her smashing hit single, “Can’t Bring Me Down.”
Chrisette Michele, a former Girl Scout who released her debut album, I Am, to rave reviews last year, performed a soulful rendition of “Let’s Rock” during the closing ceremony on Sunday, November 2.
And Teresa, a regular with Girl Scout audiences, commanded the stage throughout convention, moving audiences with songs such as “I Wanna Win Like a Girl.”
All three talented artists shared their own words of wisdom on female empowerment to girls and audience members.