Ms. President Patch
For Junior Girl Scouts

	PATCH INFORMATION Girl Scouts of the USA developed the Ms. President Patch Program in cooperation with The White House Project. © 2002. Girl Scouts of the USA and The White House Project.

Can a girl become president of the United States? Of course she can! Today a girl has more choices of what she can do when she grows up than ever. She can become a leader in her community, city, or country—even president of the United States.

Are you ready to learn about some famous women leaders? Read on and have fun while earning the Ms. President Patch.

Earning the Ms. President Patch

The Ms. President patch is a participation patch, which does not require girls to complete a specific number of activities. To earn the patch, girls at each age-level participate in any number of activities they choose in order, but they must do one activity in each section below:

• Herstory
• Girl Power—Leadership
• Roads to the White House
• On the Campaign Trail

Herstory

All around the world more and more women are becoming leaders. Read about the exciting achievements of these women on the Women Leaders page on The White House Project Web site.

1. How many names can you find in Women Leaders Word Search puzzle? First, look at the names of the famous women in the list below, then find the names in the puzzle. Do you know what these women did that made them great leaders?

Women Leaders Word Search

Shirley Chisholm | Hillary Clinton | Sybil Ludington | Indira Gandhi |
Wilma Mankiller | Golda Meir | Antonia Novello | Condoleezza Rice |
Eleanor Roosevelt | Sojourner Truth | Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Printer-Friendly Activity | Answers

2. Pick one of the women from the word search puzzle or another woman you want to learn more about. Then with your friends or family members, do one of the following activities after finding out more about her.

• Put on a skit about the woman.
• Create a videotape or audiotape about her.
• Write an article about her for your school newspaper.

Girl Power—Leadership

People have different ideas about what leadership is. First, think about what leadership means to you, then talk about its meaning with others. Now, do one of the activities below.

For help in completing them, go to The White House Project Web site and see What Makes a Leader?

1. Interview someone you know and admire as a leader.

2. Write an essay about what leadership means to you and share it with others.

3. Tell or write a story about leadership or a leader, using some of the words below:

Roads to the White House

You probably already know women leaders. If you read the newspaper or watch television, you can find many stories about women who are leaders at home, in their communities, and in the world.

1. Think about women leaders you know or ones you have heard about. How did these women become leaders? What did they do? What do they have in common?

2. People become leaders for many reasons. Find out how someone becomes a leader. Choose four women you admire. They can be women you know or leaders you have heard about. Then with your friends, Girl Scout leader, or a family member see if you can answer the following questions:

• Why did these women become leaders?
• How old were they when they became leaders?
• Who or what helped them become leaders?

On the Campaign Trail

Being elected is one way of becoming a leader. Usually, before the election takes place, there is a campaign. In a campaign, a group of people works together to let you know what the candidate (the person trying to get elected) believes.

Campaign activities could include making posters, giving speeches, and writing pamphlets. The information you learn from the campaign should help you decide which person to vote for.

Look around your community or your state, and find a woman who is campaigning to become a school-board member, mayor, state representative, state senator, or council member.

1. Find articles in newspapers or magazines, or on television, radio, or the Internet to learn about the campaign issues.

• What are the main issues in the campaign?
• What other information can you learn from the news stories?
• What do the articles talk about the most—the campaign issues or other topics, like the candidate's looks?
• What do you think is important to know about a candidate? What is not important?

2. Try designing your own campaign announcement. First, pick an issue. Then create a poster or a TV or radio announcement to let others know your position. You can work by yourself or with others.

Girl Scout badges, patches, awards, and other insignia that are earned for the accomplishment of skill-building activities or any set requirements should be presented, worn, or displayed only after Girl Scouts have completed the requirements outlined in the appropriate program materials.

All insignia are owned by Girl Scouts of the United States of America and are protected by law for use by GSUSA. None of the insignia may be copied, duplicated, or reproduced without prior express written authorization from Girl Scouts of the USA. All rights reserved.