Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/54008
Four Women, Four Innovative Ways to Guide the Next Generation Marci Henderson Beth Kille CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council Her mission: Encouraging confidence, character and leadership. It's about help- ing girls have the confidence to lead from the classroom to the boardroom. How she gets it done: While Girl Scouts still participate in the wilderness and cook- ie-selling ventures they're known for, to- day's Scout is also involved in programs that nurture skills in math, science and more. The response: Nationwide, the Girl Scouts are celebrating their 100th year in action. Locally, Henderson's Badgerland Council boasts about 17,000 members, and she has big plans for growth. What the future holds: "We've retooled how girls earn badges and learn new skills. We're also very excited to celebrate not just our 100th anniversary but what that means for empowering young women." Co-founder and musical director of Girls Rock Camp-Madison Her mission: To boost self-esteem and nurture the strong, talented and creative side of all young girls through music. How she gets it done: During a week-long camp of workshops, Kille and the team of instructors at GRC help girls (many who have no musical experience) pick up an in- strument, start a band, write songs and, at the end of it all, rock out in a live show. The response: After launching in the sum- mer of 2010 with just one camp and 32 girls, GRC will be expanding to three camps in 2012 to keep up with rising demand. What keeps Kille inspired: "Some girls come in with stage fright, others thinking they were crazy for trying [to be in a band]. But when these girls come off the stage, they're just beaming … they realize what they can accomplish." Sara Pickard Executive director of Girls on the Run Dane County Her mission: Educating young girls about self-respect and healthy living. How she gets it done: Designed for 3rd to 8th graders, GOTR participants take part in an after-school program that combines training for a non-competitive running event with mentoring to build self-esteem and positive emotional development. The response: After starting in 2005 at one location with 13 girls, the program is gearing up to be at 40 schools around Dane County and reach more than 1,000 girls in 2012. Why the program is popular: "Whether you're a great runner or not, being active is a positive life experience for these girls. We really focus on helping girls feel good about themselves, and at the end you can see that accomplishment in their faces." January 2012 bravamagazine.com 47