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64 New Jersey Girl Scouts Bring Their Voices to the State House, Champion Issues That Matter to Them
International Day Of The Girl Celebration Connects Young Advocates With Bipartisan State Leaders For A Firsthand Lesson In Civic Leadership
Photos & Captions Available for Download HERE
WESTFIELD, NJ — October 13, 2026 — Sixty-four Girl Scouts joined Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) at the New Jersey State House on Friday, October 9, for “International Day of the Girl Celebration: Her Future in Focus,” a day of civic learning, leadership and advocacy focused on how young people can help shape decisions and policies that affect their lives and futures.
“Her Future in Focus” was inspired by the New Jersey Girl Report published by GSHNJ in partnership with its three sister Girl Scout councils in New Jersey. The event reflected the council’s commitment to translating research on girls’ experiences, challenges and aspirations into meaningful opportunities for leadership, advocacy and access to spaces where decisions are made.
Held just ahead of International Day of the Girl on Sunday, October 11, the celebration paired State House tours and the “Make a Law” program with opportunities to speak directly with women serving in state government. Girl Scouts explored how bills become laws and their role in the democratic process, then put those lessons into practice by sharing their perspectives with policymakers.
“Our girls are not simply the leaders of tomorrow. They have voices, perspectives, and ideas that deserve to be heard today,” said Natasha Durant, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. “When a Girl Scout stands before an elected official and speaks confidently about an issue she cares about, she begins to understand the power of her own voice. That is what Girl Scouts makes possible. We are not just teaching girls about leadership; we are creating opportunities for them to practice it, influence conversations, and recognize that they belong wherever decisions are made.”
The afternoon’s “Pitch Your Passion” session put those lessons into practice. Girl Scouts delivered brief pitches on topics ranging from immigration, bullying and animal cruelty to data centers, stigma, the environment and mental health. They practiced making a clear case for issues that mattered to them, building skills in public speaking, advocacy and communicating with purpose.
A bipartisan group of New Jersey Assemblywomen participated: Dawn Fantasia (R–24th District), Tennille McCoy (D–14th District), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D–15th District), Andrea Katz (D–8th District) and Victoria Flynn (R–13th District). Joining them was Mary Cruz, Acting Chair and CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, representing the Governor’s Office.
Each official began by sharing her own passion before listening to the Girl Scouts’ pitches and offering feedback. The exchange gave Girl Scouts an opportunity to learn from women in public service, strengthen their messages and have their ideas heard by leaders in state government.
“The day was important to speak up for others,” said Girl Scout Jayda J. from Troop 65015 in North Plainfield. “I learned it’s okay to be scared if you are talking in front of somebody, but face your fears because speaking up gets things fixed.”
The afternoon program also included GSHNJ senior leadership and video remarks from Governor Mikie Sherrill. View the Governor’s message HERE.
The Girl Scouts who attended came from communities across GSHNJ’s footprint and beyond, including Basking Ridge, Flemington, Somerset, Branchburg, Lebanon, Somerville, Bridgewater, Milford, South Orange, Califon, Newark, Warren, Cranford, North Plainfield, East Windsor, Plainfield, Emmaus, Rosemont, Fanwood and Scotch Plains.
By connecting lessons about lawmaking with opportunities to practice advocacy, the celebration reinforced that civic participation begins long before someone is old enough to vote. Asking questions, learning about issues, sharing ideas and speaking up for others are all ways young people can take an active role in their communities—and help shape their future.
About Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) helps young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and form lasting friendships in a community where they feel supported and connected. Through hands-on experiences, new adventures, and encouragement from peers and mentors, Girl Scouts explore their interests, develop skills, and make a difference in their communities. GSHNJ serves more than 13,000 youth members in kindergarten through 12th grade across Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren, and parts of Middlesex counties. The council operates the Westfield Service Center, the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark, and three camps: Camp Hoover in Middleville, Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, and The OVAL in Maplewood, N.J. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.gshnj.org.
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October 12, 2026
