Connecticut Councils Merge to become Girl Scouts of Connecticut

October 1, 2007 was a history-making day as the five Girl Scout councils throughout Connecticut became one voice, one vision, one organization. The Articles of Incorporation for the new Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc were presented to the Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, by CEO Jennifer Smith Turner before honored guests, board members, staff, and members of the media.

As the Girl Scouts gathered at the State Capitol, ten Girl Scouts of Connecticut service centers across the state open their doors for business. Jennifer Smith Turner smiled and remarked how exciting it was to finally arrive at this moment and acknowledge the incredibly powerful voice of this group of girls and adults in the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.

Teresa Younger, Executive Director of the Permanent Commission of the Status of Women, a lifetime Girl Scout, stated that the merger of all five Girl Scout Councils reminded her of bridging experiences in Girl Scouts when she was a young girl and she crossed from the past to the future.

“The evolvement to this point for Girl Scouts of Connecticut has been a progression of growth and development,” Younger said. “It reaffirms that no matter where you go, you’ll always find a friend and sister in Girl Scouts.”

On this date, all Girl Scout Councils in the state have become one organization serving 55, 000 girls and 21, 000 adults, making it the largest leadership development program for girls in the state.

Accepting the Article of Incorporation, Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, said that she was more than excited to be a part of this history making experience.

“Every day when I step through the doors of this building, I still get goose bumps,” Bysiewicz said. “Just knowing that four out of the six state leaders are women and I’m sure Girl Scouting is a part of that somewhere.”

Girl Scouts offers girls of all ages enrichment, educational, recreational, and personal growth programs and activities. Dedicated volunteers and professional staff prepare them for the challenges of today and the future, instilling positive values, building leadership skills, and developing self-esteem.