Girls Scouts in Western Pennsylvania Joined Other Girl Scouts Across the State and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women in Harrisburg for National STEM Day Event
November 29, 2023
CONTACT:
Emily Ruffing
Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
eruffing@gswpa.org
800-248-3355
On November 13, Governor Josh Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on Women and Girl Scout councils across Pennsylvania met in Harrisburg to host a National STEM Day event, highlighting women in STEM who work for the Commonwealth. These women discussed the work they do, their educational journeys, and why they chose their careers, hoping to inspire Girl Scouts to explore a career in STEM. Participating Girl Scouts also earned their STEM Career Exploration badge.
“Learning from women leaders in STEM is a wonderful opportunity for Girl Scouts to expand their interests in this exponentially growing field. Being able to provide girls with hands-on experiences such as this one not only inspires a love for STEM, but it reinforces the power of Girl Scouting,” said Patricia A. Burkart, CEO of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
Over 70 Girl Scouts from the three Girl Scout councils in the state—Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, and Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania—participated in the event and invited female members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to join Troop PA, an honorary Girl Scout troop. Participating Girl Scouts in our council were from counties including Allegheny, Butler, Indiana, and Lawrence.
Thirteen legislators participated in an investiture ceremony, joining the Girl Scout movement after receiving a pin from girl representatives of each council.
What drove Girl Scout Adele Misejka to attend this event was her interest in learning about how women help run our government. “I had an amazing time and being able to be a part of the investiture was an incredible experience,” she said. “Being able to speak at the press conference standing beside Rep. [Joanna] McClinton was just so cool—it was amazing.”
After the ceremony, Girl Scouts explored the Interactive Welcome Center in the Capital complex, the “100 Years of Women in Government” exhibit in the state archives, plus three floors of exhibits in the State Museum of Pennsylvania. During breakout sessions, girls learned more from panelists such as Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary for the Department of Health, and Gale Blackmer, State Geologist and Director of the Bureau of Geological Survey.
Troop Leader Stacey Green said this was an adventure that she and her troop will never forget. “The girls were excited to not only meet girls from across the state, but the opportunity to meet our local representative was something they couldn’t have imagined. Rep. [Marla] Brown and her assistant Stephanie went above and beyond to welcome the girls and make sure they had an amazing experience.”
For more information about Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, please call 800-248-3355 or visit gswpa.org.
