Op-Ed: Girl Scout Flashback/Fast Forward

As a young girl growing up, my childhood experience was less than inspiring. I was the “runt” of the class always, picked on, bullied, and ignored when party invites came. This was back in a day when you didn’t have to “bring enough for the whole class”, and if you wanted to shove a short girl in the snow after school because you didn’t like how she looked, well, you could. And that was life.

I was used to it. And “it was, what it was” as they say. In today’s day, things are very different. But back then, finding a tribe of girls that I could bond with, confide in, take shelter with was non-existent. I remember my mom trying the best she could to protect me. I was an only child and she worked hard to keep me sheltered from the storms that school would bring each day, but even then, she could only do so much.

Then one day, I remember my mother’s friend Donna offering to bring me along to her daughter’s Girl Scout meeting. To see how I liked it, to see if maybe, it would be a good fit and help boost my confidence. When I look back now, I understand WHY the mom suggested it. But back then, I just wanted to hide in my room, and my mom was happy to keep me tucked safely away there. We feared my experience would be just the same as in school.

However, after some convincing by Donna, my mom allowed me to go. I remember walking in the door and all these girls, all different, running around, laughing, holding hands, chatting and just all TOGETHER. There was no divide. I had never seen anything like it. School didn’t feel that way, and it didn’t look that way. Girls were vying for the attention of boys, or trying to keep up appearances by “clicking” with those that had the newest clothes or the shiniest hair. Yes, even in elementary school that was happening - even back in the 70’s.

The Troop Leader announced the start of the meeting and Donna, the mom I had arrived with had one of the Girl Scouts take my hand to find a seat. I remember introductions, I remember people smiling at me, welcoming me, not caring I was the tiniest one in the room or that I was painfully shy. I was WELCOME. No questions asked. I remember feeling included. And I remember feeling happy. That’s all I remember, but it was enough to stick with me all these years later.

In the end, my mom was too worried to let me out of her sights for too long, and joining Girl Scouts wasn’t an option for me. And that was that, and to this day I don’t fault her for it. She was a struggling mom, and I was her world. That’s how it was.

So now, fast forward, here I am in 2018. And the irony is that I work for Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England as their Marketing Director. I get to see what this organization is STILL doing for girls, all these years later. It is something that, based on what I just shared, is why I feel so passionate about what I “market”.

Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer in my off hours and present to a troop of amazing girls in Warwick. I would be teaching them the basics of filmmaking (“filmmaker” was a profession I held for 12 years during my time in NYC). Their participation at the meeting would allow them to earn their Digital Movie Maker Badge, and sharing my knowledge with them was something I was excited to do. But I was NERVOUS. Somehow, no matter how old we are, the trials and tribulations of being a bullied, disliked kid never completely dissipate. Walking into a school building, even at my age, still gives me flashbacks. But I suspected this big group of girls would be welcoming, and I recalled that one meeting I had attended as a kid – I wondered if this would feel the same?

It DID.

When I entered the cafeteria where the meeting was being held I saw a similar scene from almost 40 years ago. Girls, all ages, all diverse, laughing, talking, holding hands and singing – while some others were tending to serious business and preparing for the flag ceremony. The thing that struck me again is that they were all TOGETHER, there was no separation. Not one girl off in a corner alone struggling to connect. Everyone had a place with someone else. I was awestruck. Despite being a staff member for the organization, I rarely get to see the grassroots work being done by our committed volunteers and our loyal Girl Scouts during these meetings. It was inspiring. I felt my inner 8 year old bubble up, and in an instant I knew that if I had been able to join Girl Scouts all those years ago - my elementary school years, my high schools years – so much of it would have been different. The confidence I took so long to find in my later years on my own, would have been fast tracked through Girl Scouting.

But there was no time to get lost in that reflection yet.

The time came for me to present and I found myself amidst a group of 25 Girl Scouts that, despite already surviving a full day at school, were doing their absolute best to give me their full attention. They were respectful, smart, insightful and willing to be forgiving when I temporarily stumbled with my direction during an activity. They were attentive and they were everything that I needed during the meeting to feel empowered as their (nervous) activity leader.

My favorite part from that evening? Their CONFIDENCE. When I asked for volunteers, EVERY SINGLE hand raised. Every girl was ready to give a try to whatever opportunity I was offering. These girls were proving to me in that moment that they truly are the go-getters, the innovators, the risk-takers and the leaders this world needs so desperately. It’s not just a tagline, they are the real deal.

Leading them through activity after activity just cemented my passion for what I do every day. Sometimes as marketers we get caught up in “branding”, but after my latest experience, I personally have witnessed what the magic of Girl Scouting can do and is still doing for girls everywhere.

I now know, more than ever, what Girl Scouting could have done for me. And it has become even clearer what it can still do for those little girls that may feel lost or feel they don’t belong or fit in. I know this because I was that little girl. Girl Scouts provides the safe space to grow, to learn, to feel included, and to connect with other girls (and troop leaders!) that will welcome them.

I know this not because the marketing tells me so, but because it is what I personally experienced. And that is something no tagline can capture.

Rachel Pintarelli has been the Director of Marketing & Communications at Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England for two and a half years and a marketing professional for nearly fifteen years. She is also a passionate creative type who had her own line of recycled vintage jewelry and spent over 12 years as an actor/writer/filmmaker in NYC. She now has a passion for holistic health & wellness and has recently discovered a love for Yoga. She resides in Johnston with her husband, and two crazy cats that keep her on her toes!