Resolutions Recognize the Organization’s 100th Anniversary
Trenton, N.J. (March 19, 2012) – The Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey were honored on Thursday, March 15, 2012, by the New Jersey state Senate and Assembly with resolutions recognizing the organization’s 100th anniversary, which took place last week on Monday, March 12, 2012. Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) presented the resolution on behalf of the N.J. General Assembly, and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) presented the resolution on behalf of the N.J. Senate. Mary Connell, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern N.J., made receiving remarks on behalf of the Girl Scouts Councils of N.J. Also in attendance were Susan Brooks, CEO of the Girl Scouts Heart of N.J.; Charisse Taylor, Chief Program Officer of the Girl Scouts of Northern N.J.; and Pat Walsh, Senior Director of Development of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, along with girl members of the Girl Scouts.
The resolutions commended the Girl Scouts for one hundred years of dedication to building girls of courage, confidence and character, who help to make the places they live better by becoming leaders within their communities. From Sandra Day O’Connor to Vera Wang and Hilary Clinton, the Girl Scouts have played an instrumental role in developing today’s female leaders.
“The Girl Scouts have fostered the highest ideals of American citizenship and civic responsibility for 100 years now, and we look forward to them doing the same for many, many more to come,” said Assembly Speaker Oliver. “New Jersey is only as strong as its citizens and communities, and groups such as the Girl Scouts, with its commitment to excellence and perseverance, make our state a better place. The New Jersey Assembly is very pleased to honor the Girl Scouts, and we congratulate them on a stellar century of superb civic service and leadership.”
“The Girl Scouts of the USA instill in their members a sense of pride and independence, and have given girls the self-confidence needed to be the leaders of today and tomorrow," said Senate Majority Leader Weinberg. "Throughout the organization’s 100-year history, it has made a difference in so many lives. I am proud and honored to have been able to recognize the Girl Scouts on the floor of the State Senate today, and I wish the organization many more years of success in encouraging young women to meet their potential.”
“On behalf of the 150,000 registered Girl Scouts in the great state of New Jersey, I would like to thank Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and the women legislators who make up Troop New Jersey for this proclamation recognizing our centennial anniversary,” said Connell. “As we move into our second century, we will be celebrating all year long and are extremely excited to do so in a big way with our upcoming BIG Concert on June 23, 2012 at Liberty State Park.”
The state’s four councils have come together as The Girl Scout Councils of N.J. to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting, featuring a number of high-profile events and activities throughout the year. They began the statewide celebration with a large-scale bridging ceremony over the George Washington Bridge on November 13, 2012, and will finale with The BIG Concert on June 23, 2012 at Liberty State Park, featuring concerts from headliner talent, a fireworks display over the New York Harbor, and 100 exciting activities. The BIG Concert is open to adults and children of all ages. For more information, please visit www.thebigconcertnj.com.
Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey
Working as The Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey, the state’s four councils – Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey – have come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. Together the councils build girls of courage, confidence and character and empower them to become leaders within our communities. To learn more about the 100th Anniversary, The BIG Concert and the individual councils and their events please visit, www.thebigconcertnj.com.

