There”s a special bond between Girl Scouts. They”ve worked together, played together, served together. No matter where they are or where life takes them, they carry a collective experience that transcends space, time, and even geography.
Sunday afternoon, area alumnae will join together once more, celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting with a special reception from 2-4 p.m. at the home of Mississippi University for Women President Allegra Brigham. The guest of honor will be MUW alumna and 100th Anniversary Honorary Chair Elizabeth Smith Gwin.
Gwin is a fitting choice for the tribute, Brigham said Tuesday afternoon. At 101 years old, she has been alive longer than Girl Scouts of the USA has existed, and she has dedicated the last half-century of her life to advancing its mission, from volunteering in nearly every capacity to serving as an executive director.
“Elizabeth is the epitome of all that Girl Scouting represents, and her participation reflects who she is,” Brigham said. “Her impact in northeast Mississippi has just been incredible.”
Gwin said her interest in Girl Scouts initially began as a parent, helping her daughter study in order to advance through the ranks from a Brownie to a full-fledged Girl Scout. As the two read through the organization”s handbooks together, discussing the lessons and working on projects, the young mother”s respect for Girl Scouting deepened. When she looked in her daughter”s eyes, she could see the values and ideals that were being shaped, the effect the program had on her, the way she was growing — not only as a Girl Scout, but also as a young woman.
It made Gwin want to do more, give more.
Moved by the realization that children with special needs were unable to share the “camp experience,” she founded the Elizabeth Gwin Session for Special Children, a six-day, volunteer-staffed residential camp where girls and boys 6-21 can participate in swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities adapted to meet each camper”s individual needs.
She said her greatest reward is the lifelong friendships she has created with Girl Scouts around the world.
“There”s a certain tie that”s indescribable,” she said. “We love the same things, and we”re all working towards the same thing — the empowerment of young women. You can be a Girl Scout in any country in the world, and you automatically have things in common because of the shared values. You learn how to build a consensus, how to build a team, how to cooperate and give and take. It just has a tremendous aspect on your life.”
She said in today”s fast-paced world, the Girl Scouts program is needed more than ever. Families aren”t as close-knit as they once were. Young women face innumerable challenges and are bombarded with an array of things that can draw them away from their paths and cause them to lose focus. The structure of Girl Scouting provides girls with lifelong skills, and the relationships it encourages create bonds that can never be broken.
Though Gwin will celebrate her 102nd birthday next month, she has no intention of slowing down. Even when she”s tired, love for the organization keeps her going.
“No matter how much you give to Girl Scouting, you get 100-fold back,” Gwin concluded. “It”s been a great part of my life.”
She said she is humbled and surprised to be the guest of honor at Sunday”s reception, but she”s looking forward to meeting old and new friends. The event is free and open to all former Girl Scouts and Girl Scout leaders. It will be held at 1217 College St.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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