Girl Scouts Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15–October 15, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month in celebration of the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, Central and South America, Spain, and the Caribbean.
This 30-day period is a festive acknowledgment of independence, with September 15 dedicated to Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively, and, concluding the eventful month, October 12 marks Dia de la Raza or Columbus Day.
Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to join in recognizing the diversity and rich cultures of Hispanics across America and beyond. This is also a great time for girls of all backgrounds to come together to discover, connect, and celebrate!
Girls and volunteers around the country work together and partner with girls across Latin America, collaborating with the World Association of Girls Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). These partnering efforts have produced several successful twinning projects, linking four councils and WAGGGS-member organizations in Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Through these projects, girls and volunteers are making their communities a better place by taking action in the areas of leadership, healthy living, self-esteem, and human trafficking.
Today more than 48 million people in the U.S. are of Hispanic origin, 338,900 of which are young and adult Latinas who proudly call themselves Girl Scouts. Through Girl Scouts, girls can not only earn patches for learning more about Hispanic heritage, they can attend leadership development training and build the confidence and self-esteem to become the leaders of tomorrow.
We invite you to celebrate with Girl Scouts as we strive to provide young Latinas—and every girl—with leadership skills and opportunities so they can make positive and profound contributions to their communities and to our world!
Defining Girl Scouts
The Hispanic community is a large and growing population. By talking to Latina girls and their moms, GSUSA has learned that both are looking for an organization through which they can share enriching experience together, give back to their communities, and make a positive impact in the world, and where girls can develop skills for life. Without knowing, they were describing Girl Scouts.
Young Women of DistinctionAngeles, 16, Caribe Girl Scout Council, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. As an avid soccer player, Angeles created Clínicas de Soccer en Juan Domingo, a sports program for children with limited resources, in an underserved community in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. "My goal was to make a difference in the lives of young people," she said. The program involved the participation of parents, physical education teachers from the local public schools, and donations from the private sector. Students not only learned how to play soccer, but also yoga and the benefits of good nutrition. Angeles has indeed made a difference in their lives. Three talented students have been able to continue soccer lessons in a private league, and the soccer clinics are continuing to provide services in the same place where Angeles first began her work.
Heritage Happenings
Every year, Girl Scouts across the country get together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and this year is no exception. Events highlight the Hispanic culture in a multitude of ways, while planting seeds of awareness to grow and last throughout the year.
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada: Cultural Programming—Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2010
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada will offer cultural programming for girls throughout the 2010–11 membership year, featuring Hispanic, Native American, African American, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern heritages. The cultural series begins September 16 with a Hispanic heritage celebration. Music, food, arts, dancing, and various presenters will share the beauty and diversity that make up Hispanic culture in Southern Nevada, which is represented by 17 percent of the council's membership.
"Many cultures blend to create the fabric of the United States. These interactive celebrations allow our girls to become more knowledgeable and better relate to the world around them," said Kelle Boteilho, chief operating officer, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada.
Pride in Patch Form
CHICAS: Discovering Hispanic Heritage Patch
This patch program was designed by the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital to help Girl Scouts from all cultures develop an understanding and appreciation of Hispanic/Latino culture by applying the Discover, Connect, and Take Action leadership keys.
To learn more about other events visit your local council. Find your council
