Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Goes to State House to Celebrate International Day of the Girl & Day of the Girl in New Jersey
October 17, 2023
(North Branch, NJ., October 12, 2023) Girl Scouts, troop leaders, staff, and board members from the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) council traveled to Trenton, NJ yesterday to experience a day at the State House meeting with state leaders to learn first-hand about democracy and how laws are made. GSHNJ chose Oct. 11th as the day for the event as it is both the International Day of the Girl and Day of the Girl in New Jersey.
The International Day of the Girl, established by the UN in 2011, is recognized and celebrated across the country and world by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides with a focus on recognizing girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face in the world today and to promote girl empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights.
In May of 2023 New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy established October 11th as the “Day of the Girl” in New Jersey in a joint resolution to honor the UN’s International Day of the Girl and bring awareness to its causes.
First Lady Tammy Murphy was among the female leaders at the event welcoming the girls and adults and ensuring that the day was educational, fun, and rewarding. Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter, who serves as an active GSHNJ board member, along with her staff, helped to facilitate the State House tour and activities.
“It was an honor to join the young women of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey to celebrate the inaugural “Day of the Girl” in New Jersey,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “New Jersey is filled with exceptional girls and women who thrive in every environment they enter. We remain committed to advancing full gender equality in our state until everyone is treated with fairness and equity in school, in the workplace, and beyond.”
Girl Scouts in attendance earned their democracy badges, had a chance to share their voices and concerns on issues important to them, and were inspired by women who are making a difference in government.
“I learned so much about the inner workings of the legislative branch, and I really enjoyed hearing the stories and advice of people who worked in the system. This experience made me consider a career in politics and as a legislator,” said Alyssa Parola, Troop 60243 from Hillsborough, NJ.
Photo Courtesy of the Office of NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy.
In front, left to right
Ginny Hill, CEO, Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey
Kadija Doukali, Constituent Relations Specialist, NJ Assembly
Medinah Muhammad, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Mariel Didato, Senior Legislative Officer, NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
First Lady Tammy Murphy
Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Natasha Hemmings, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
(and standing next to girls on left, second row). Janelle Hobson, Director of Policy and Legislation, 22nd District (Asw. Linda Carter’s office).
