Carrying the Torch Convention

CICERO, N.Y. » Girl Scouts of NYPENNPathways (GSNYPENN) will hold the second annual Carrying the Torch: Girl Scout Convention on Women’s Rights, the weekend of Oct. 6-7 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the location of the first women’s rights convention in 1848.

This special collaboration between GSNYPENN, Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the National Women’s Hall of Fame and Friends of Women’s Rights National Historical Park commemorates the 101st anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York state while celebrating how girls of today carry the torch of equal rights through civic engagement. Participation

in this event gives girls the opportunity to not only learn about past achievements made by women, but also empowers them to achieve their own goals and dreams.

The convention is open to all Girl Scouts, girls and the public. Cost is $10 per person. Registration is open at gsnypenn.org/ torch. The schedule is girlled and allows girls to pick and choose which sessions and activities they wish to attend. Some events require pre-registration due to seating capacity.

Admission grants access to Women’s Rights National Historical Park, Wesleyan Chapel, Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, M’Clintock House, National Women’s Hall of Fame, a voter education session and the convention with keynote speakers. Convention speakers will focus on women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment, history of women’s rights and the suffrage movement, and the Girl Scout Movement. They include:

• Jess Eckstrom, founder/ CEO of Headbands of Hope (keynote speaker)

• Julie Dale, CEO of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways

• Betty Bayer, co-president of the National Women’s Hall of Fame and professor of Women’s Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

• Rebecca Weaver, Girl Scout alumand park ranger at Women’s Rights National Historical Park

• “The Women Will Gather” with Girl Scout Women of Distinction Recipient Arlette Miller Smith, associate professor and program director of African American Studies at St. John Fisher College

Admission also includes a commemorative passport, patch and bag available for pick-up at on-site registra- tion. Attendees who complete the passport can earn the 2020 Suffrage Centennial Junior Ranger Badge from Women’s Rights National Historical Park. Preregistration is required for a Declaration of Sentiments Reenactment Reading, a Situational Awareness & Self Protection Workshop with June Worden from Syracuse Self Defense and a Sunrise Service for All Faith Communities led by Rev. Leah Ntuala of First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls due to venue seating. Girls can also earn the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage in New York patch by attending this event.

Girls Scouts can earn their official national Global Action Award during Carrying the Torch. Pre-registration is required for these sessions. This year’s Global Action Award focuses on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. In September 2015, leaders from around the world agreed to work together to accomplish these 17 goals by 2030. The goals focus on ending extreme poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and tackling climate change. To earntheir award, girls work together to make a difference on these topics which affect girls and women all over the world.

To register to attend and for complete information about Carrying the Torch weekend, including overnight accommodations and local amenities, visit gsnypenn.org/torch.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GIRL SCOUTS OF NYPENN PathwaysGirl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways will hold the second annual Carrying the Torch: Girl Scout Convention on Women’s Rights, the weekend of Oct. 6-7, 2018, in Seneca Falls, N.Y.