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Michelle Obama Becomes National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA

OCTOBER 2009

 

 

Following a tradition that started 80 year ago, First Lady Michelle Obama has agreed to serve as the Honorary National President of Girl Scouts of the USA.

“It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.”

In accepting the position, Mrs. Obama takes her place in a tradition stretching back to 1929, when Lou Henry Hoover became the first Honorary National President of the Girl Scouting movement. Since then, each successive First Lady has served in this post. Girl Scouts plan to work with the First Lady on areas of mutual concern, such as healthy living, public service and leadership.

“As an Advocacy Champion for Girl Scouts of the USA’s Live Healthy, Lead Healthy Policy and Advocacy Initiative, we must ensure that all girls have the skills they need to overcome today’s challenges, from bullying and obesity to concerns over the economy,” said Jacqueline Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts Louisiana East. “We welcome the First Lady’s support for Girl Scout’s healthy living and advocacy initiative as we continue to provide the resources and opportunities all girls need to become strong, independent young leaders.”

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

The local council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, serves girls 5 to 17 in the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.  For more information about Girl Scouting or for volunteer opportunities, call the council office in New Orleans at (504) 733-8220, in Baton Rouge at (225) 927-8946, or visit its website at www.gsle.org.

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Media contact: Marianne Addy, VP of Communications
(504) 733-8220, ext. 2226 or maddy@gsle.org  or Cathy Pottschmidt, Public Relations Specialist, at (225) 927-8947, ext. 1238 or cpottschmidt@gsle.org

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