by Susan Malotte

Created on: October 17, 2008

My little green beret is bobby-pinned to my blonde hair making sure it doesn't blow off and escape down the street. I am wearing my green dress with a yellow tie, freshly pressed and belted in the middle. My green badge sash is securely pinned at my shoulder and crosses my body just like a Miss America sash. I am a Girl Scout and completely covered in green.

I am remembering now, walking across a little homemade bridge, transitioning from being a Brownie Scout to a Junior Girl Scout. I am in a ceremony that's called "flying-up". And I feel giddy because this is a very important day in my life.

Now I'm a Girl Scout and, oh my gosh, my mother is the Troop Leader. Now she's dressed in green. I am so proud of her and so lucky to have this time with my mother without any of my pesky siblings. Special time between her and me.

Look, here are my badges; here's one for cooking, hiking, babysitting, art, wildlife, outdoors and a whole bunch more I earned. This is my Girl Scout pin, Troop Insignia and Brownie wings. It's loaded with badges which I sewed on my and helped me earn my sewing badge. What a lot of fun picking out which badge I wanted to earn. And what a lot of work earning it after deciding.

The memories are fresh, vivid and I am there, right there, today.

Those of you who are Scout Alumnae remember. And remember in the late 50's how very few activities were geared for girls? I didn't join any sports' activities and I didn't have after school care; I just simply walked home, did my homework, chores and played outside. So, when Girl Scouts came along I was thrilled and very fortunate that scouting was an event my family could afford to let me do.

I thank Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low for adding a new dimension in my life. The story of Juliette Low has been told many times, but her belief that girls should be given an opportunity to "develop mentally, physically and spiritually", brought girls out of housebound environments. On March 12, 1912, Juliette brought together 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, for the first Girl Scout meeting. They played basketball, went hiking and camping, enjoyed the fresh air and getting away from their homes. From modest beginnings of 18 girls to over 4 million girls and women, Girl Scouts is still a robust organization with a rich history' and I am proud to say I am one of the 50 million alumnae today.

In 1976, when my youngest sister enthusiastically became a Girl Scout, I took over the role of Girl Scout Leader myself. I had my son at that time and since he was only two, we made him official mascot. The girls spoiled him and he thrived. I firmly believe he loved the outdoor activities and camping trips with our troop so much that it fostered the idea to become a Boy Scout, which he did as soon as he was old enough.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts positively reinforced the right values for my children which they use today. I certainly hope when my children have children they too will encourage them to join a Scouting program.

Oh, and don't forget to buy Girl Scout cookies. Hip, hip, hooray, for shortbread and thin mint cookies! So, get ready, clear space in the freezer cookie sales haven't started yet but they are right around the corner. Are you ready? I am!

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