2024 Impact Report

All Girls, Everywhere

Ruth Martin Girl Scout Junior

Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri honored fifth grade Girl Scout, Ruth Martin, with the organization’s Medal of Honor after she jumped into action to assist a fellow student who was choking during lunch period. Ruth was enjoying her school lunch with her friends when one of her classmates, and a fellow Girl Scout, began to cough and put her hands to her throat, signaling that she was choking. Ruth jumped into action and administered the abdominal thrust maneuver while another student called for a teacher’s assistance. Ruth’s quick action saved her friend that day when she showed presence of mind and true Girl Scout spirit in an emergency. The Girl Scout Medal of Honor is reserved for Girl Scouts who have performed heroic acts beyond the degree of maturity and training to be expected of their age.

Legacy Jackson Girl Scout Senior

Bronze Award: Troop 9178 Girl Scout Juniors

In October 2023, Legacy Jackson, a then freshman at Cardinal Ritter College Prep Academy, was the first teen in Missouri to present a TedTalk as part of the TEDxSt. Louis Women Two Steps Forward event. Legacy, a 10-year Girl Scout, spoke on how her service organization, Little Legacies, is impacting the St. Louis area, developing young change makers and teaching area youth how to have fun with a purpose. Legacy is a proud Bronze, Silver and Gold Awardee, the highest awards achievable by a Girl Scout. Currently, Legacy serves on the National Girl Scouts Advisory Board which works with the national office on key projects and initiatives aligned with our national strategy, including program, girl engagement, DEI/RJ, research, marketing and more.

After learning that the City of Kirksville was looking for ways to promote recycling, Katie Barhorst, Avery Carriker, Olivia Leaton, Kaylena Mahurin, Emma McFadden, Kadence Selby and Ayiana Smelcer decided to educate their community on the importance of recycling to earn their Girl Scout Bronze Award. These young changemakers began by researching the recycling process and visiting a local recycling center to better understand the issue. Then, they wrote and filmed a short skit to demonstrate what can and cannot be recycled and posted the video to YouTube. They also created a presentation and flyer to share during local community events. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest Honor a Girl Scout Junior, girls in 4th and 5th grade can achieve. It requires girls to identify a need in their community and dedicate more than 20 hours toward solving the issue.