Film Coming About Young LI Woman Who Fought To Become Eagle Scout

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — A young woman who fought tirelessly for more than nine years to win the right for young girls to join the Boy Scouts of America will see her story immortalized in film — so that she can continue to inspire for posterity.

Sydney Ireland, 21, was spotlighted Thursday night at a "private meeting of impact investors" for the new film hosted by Anita Durst and Aryuna Merdygeeva at ChaShaMa Gallery on East 64th Street in Manhattan.

Sydney, whose family lives in both Bridgehampton and New York City, will see her story produced by John Corso of Winged Victory Entertainment LLC, Joseph White, Scott Valentine and Elena Droutzkoy Corso, with her father Gary Ireland and Sydney herself also participating as co-producers in every phase of the project’s creation.

"Sydney Ireland — Eagle Scout" is a dramatic feature film "telling the true story of one young woman’s unrelenting determination toward a supreme achievement, opening membership to girls and young women in the male dominated organization, the Boy Scouts of America," Corso said. "With women empowerment as the story’s central theme, the film is a positive and dignified portrayal of young Sydney Ireland through her lifelong devotion, perseverance, and activism. Aided by her family, and overcoming man-made obstacles, Sydney achieved the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America and brought about the BSA organization’s historic decision to accept female scouts on equal footing with males."

Adding to the gravitas of the story is the dramatic portrayal of her tight-knit family’s real-life struggles surrounding the lengthy illness and death of Sydney’s mother, Corso said.

"Having Sydney and Gary fully involved will ensure the integrity and authenticity of our film," Corso said. " We’re telling the story about a fantastic young woman’s journey, while inspiring the next generation of much-needed activists."

Sydney's father Gary spoke about his hope for the film. "I'm a relentless advocate for civil rights, social justice, environmental stewardship, equity and opportunity," Gary he said. "My hope is that by telling Sydney's story of perseverance and advocacy in opening membership to the previously male-dominated Boy Scouts and earning the Eagle Rank, we can motivate the next generation of young change makers, creating opportunities for all, preserving our environment and addressing challenges we don't yet know exist."

Corso added: "I was impressed by Sydney's grit, stamina and unrelenting goal of fully participating in the Boy Scouts of America on par with boys, not withstanding dealing with her beloved mother's long illness and death."

The film will begin production this year.

Sydney reflected on her path forward with the film. "My hope is that my story will help motivate my generation to engage in advocacy for positive change — equality for women, engaging to support our earth, treating people with respect so everyone benefits. I look up to people like Greta Thunberg , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Malala Yousafzai. Women who are unstoppable and unapologetically breaking barriers."

To those hoping to help, she said, "Your support in this mission demonstrates support for a world of changemakers — of individuals who aren't afraid to make a difference in spite of facing adversity."

Sydney Ireland has already established herself as a trailblazer and pioneer who made history — the first female in Scouting history to successfully complete all requirements to earn the Eagle rank, Boy Scout's highest honor. She was overjoyed in 2017 when, after her years of advocacy, the Boy Scouts of America's board of directors unanimously approved a measure that welcomed girls into the Cub Scout program — pledging to deliver a scouting program for older girls that would enable them to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

And later, in 2019, the Boy Scouts of America agreed to allow girls to join as members, changing its name to Scouts BSA.

Sydney attended her Court of Honor and received her Eagle rank last year at Avenue Church in New York City as a member Manhattan Council Troop 414; she finalized her Eagle project, Connect a Vet with a Pet, on Veteran’s Day, 2018.

Her efforts to level the playing field for young women have been recognized globally.

Since the changes went into effect, BSA saw a surge in official pre-COVID memberships of young women and girls, with more than 150,000 new female members joining Cub Scout Packs, ages 5 to 10, and Scouts BSA Troops, ages 11 to 18.

Sydney faced roadblocks on her journey. She was told, after completing all of her work to become an Eagle Scout, that none of her efforts would count and she'd have to redo all the work, since she wasn't an official member when she began her Eagle Scout project.

Undaunted, she forged ahead, and, as a student at Amherst College, she had her official BSA Board of Review on Oct. 1, 2020.

Her dream of becoming an Eagle Scout was born when she was only a little girl, attending her brother Bryan's Cub Scout meetings.

“I am so immensely grateful for the support of so many who believed in me and in the Boy Scouts of America’s ability to adapt — and I cannot wait for what the future holds for the Scouting movement,” she said.

“Sydney Ireland is a role model for anyone fighting for equal rights for women and girls, thanks to her work in getting the Boy Scouts to start allowing girls to join its ranks. Sydney helped take down a century-old barrier to equality and is now the first woman to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

Others lauded her courage.

“As we reflect on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we are reminded that pushing boundaries and following one’s dreams, is the truest of American values,” said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women, New York. “As a trailblazer, Sydney exemplifies the best in young leadership today.”