Greenwich Girl Scouts learn about women in government

GREENWICH — Girl Scouts of all ages and their families had the opportunity to learn about Women in Government at a special outdoor event held at the YWCA of Greenwich.

The Girl Scouts met with seven women who serve as elected officials in town, including state Rep. Livvy Floren, state Sen. Alex Kasser, Board of Estimate and Taxation member Beth Krumeich, school board member Karen Kowalski, RTM member Katherine LoBalbo, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, and school board member Kathleen Stowe.

The women welcomed the girls and invited them to share their concerns and questions.

About 70 Girl Scouts, from Daisy Girl Scouts in kindergarten to Ambassador Girl Scouts in 11th and 12th grades, were inspired to speak up and learn more about public service as they moved down the line of elected officials, masked, in small groups.

Behind each woman was a poster with a quotation about what inspired her to first seek elected office.

Educational exhibits and activities were created by 11th graders in Girl Scout Troop 50540 for a pop-up exhibit. Together with high schoolers from Girl Scout Troop 50376, they guided attendees through stations on voting, local wildlife regulations, women in politics, and the history of the Women’s suffrage movement.

The Greenwich Historical Society contributed educational materials that reflected its ongoing exhibit on the 100th anniversary of passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

Many of the visiting elected women had connections to Girl Scouts, whether as parents, alumnae, supporters or previous event participants.

“Ms. Rabin showed us a picture of when she was a Brownie, and said that she was once very shy,” said sisters Calliope and Thalia Nobay, of Girl Scout Troop 50303.

“That was awesome!” shouted three of the 11th grade Girl Scouts later, as they walked across the parking lot that had been the site of their outdoor pop-up museum.

The Greenwich Girl Scouts is a Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. For more information, visit www.gsofct.org.