Public Policy and Advocacy
The Washington, D.C., Office of Girl Scouts of the USA

	DID YOU KNOW? The first Girl Scout handbook was published in 1913 and was entitled How Girls Can Help Their Country. Congress chartered the Girl Scouts in March 1950. In Savannah, Georgia, in 1983, the second federal building named after a woman was declared the Juliette Gordon Low Federal Complex. Two-thirds of female members of Congress have been Girl Scouts. In 2001, the first Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop—Troop Capitol Hill—was convened and is currently comprised of all women members of Congress.

Girl Scouts of the USA first established a Public Policy and Advocacy office in 1952. Since that time, the organization has worked to build strong relationships with members of Congress, as well as with officials at the White House and federal departments and agencies. Through our advocacy efforts, we inform and educate key representatives of the government's legislative and executive branches about issues important to girls and Girl Scouting and lobby for increased program resources.

In 2001, Girl Scouts of the USA convened the first Honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop, Troop Capitol Hill, comprised of women members of Congress. Members of Troop Capitol Hill have made a commitment to help Girl Scouts substantively address issues important to girls and Girl Scouting on a national level.

Addressing Girls' Issues

Girl Scouts of the USA's advocacy efforts help demonstrate to lawmakers that Girl Scouts is a resource and an authority on issues affecting girls. Based on over 90 years of experience and developed from extensive research, the Girl Scout program:

• Promotes girls' involvement in science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Prevents youth violence in communities.
• Ensures girls feel emotionally and physically safe.
• Encourages healthy living and combats obesity.
• Develops financial literacy skills.
• Gives a voice to girls in underserved communities.

Read more about the incredible and diverse program opportunities available to girls through Girl Scouting.

Partnerships with Girl Scout Councils

The Public Policy and Advocacy office has been engaged in a major effort to inform members of Congress and administration officials of the successful and important work of local Girl Scout councils across the country. To that end, Girl Scouts of the USA established a grass-roots network comprised of all its councils. Through this network, the organization advances a national agenda that will benefit girls and Girl Scouting.

Public Policy and Advocacy staff members also provide Girl Scout councils and State Legislative Monitoring Program groups with consultative services on legislation and advocacy.

Contact Us

Public Policy and Advocacy
Girl Scouts of the USA
816 Connecticut Avenue NW, 3rd floor
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 659-3780
Fax: (202) 331-8065