Girl Scouts Refuse Money From Donor and Prove They Are Truly "For Every Girl"

By SheSpeaksTeam Jul 07, 2015

The Girl Scouts of the United States of America has proven yet again that they are “for every girl” after making a difficult decision to refuse a much-needed donation of $100,000. The reason the Western Washington group chose to return the money was due to a note by the donor asking the group not to use the money to support “transgender girls”.

CNN reports about the Girl Scouts decision to return the money and their long-standing support of transgender girls. Megan Ferland, council head of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington was the one to make the ultimate decision to return the $100,000 to the donor who asked that they not use it to support transgender girls.

Ferland says she was sad to have to receive the stipulation from the donor. She explains “Girl Scouts is for every girl. And every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to.” Since the return of the donation the Western Washington council has set up an Indiegogo fundraiser to replace the money and they have managed to raise more than $250,000 in just the first few days.

The Girl Scout’s support of the transgender is nothing new, a tenant that has been in place for years and often contrasted with the Boy Scout guidelines. And even though they still receive criticism from organizations like the American Family Association, Girl Scout USA’s chief girl expert Andrea Bastiani Archibald points out how it is important for their group to include all girls in their programs and teach tolerance.

Archibald says, “Our mission to build 'girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place' extends to all members, and through our program, girls develop the necessary leadership skills to advance diversity and promote tolerance.” And regarding her critics she says, “Luckily, we don't serve our critics. We are proud to serve all girls.”

Were you or are your daughters involved in the Girl Scouts?

What do you think of the Girl Scout’s decision to return a large donation from a donor who did not wish to support transgender girls?