In this section, we explore the Girl Scout Law: "I will do my best to be a sister to every girl scout."

There are over 3 million American Girl Scouts worldwide, and Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides/Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which includes almost 150 member organizations. So many sisters! Members of GSUSA wear both membership pins on their uniforms (the WAGGGS pin is blue and gold).

10.1 Sisters Across the World

Explore

Visit the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) websites to learn about which countries have Unitarian Universalist and Girl Scout/Guide groups. Which have both? Which have one but not the other? Which have neither group? Find out about the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council, the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office and World Thinking Day.

Think

What does it feel like to be part of two world organizations? How do Unitarian Universalists and Girl Scout help build a world community?

Express

Create a work of art that represents world friendship.

10.2 UU Girl Scouts

Explore

Many Unitarian Universalist women are or have been Girl Scouts. Find at least three women in your congregation who are or were Girl Scouts and ask them how Girl Scouting influenced them. Find out when, where, and how they participated in Girl Scouting and what it was like for them. Share the current Girl Scout Law with them and find out how/whether it was different when they were girls. You may wish to take pictures of the women you interview and/or to audiotape the stories they tell you (wish their permission, of course!)

Think

How has Girl Scouting changed over time? How are your experiences similar to the experiences of the women you talked to? How are your experiences different?

Express

Write a thank you note to each of the people you interviewed, telling them at least three things you learned from your conversation.

10.3 Women in the UU Ministry

Explore

Find out about women in the Unitarian Universalist ministry. Approximately how many UU ministers are women? When did women start serving as UU ministers? Ask for help from your religious educator or minister in finding a female UU minister you can interview, either in person or via phone or video conferencing. When you conduct the interview, ask her how her experiences differ from the experiences of her male colleagues. In what areas are their experiences more similar?

Think

Do you think female UU ministers experience some of the same things experienced by women in other jobs which have long been held mostly by men?

Express

Why is it important to have women in the UU ministry? Share your thoughts with the person you interviewed and with your advisor.

10.4 UU Sisterhood

Explore

Find out how your congregation responds to the unique needs, experiences, viewpoints and interests of girls and women. If possible, visit a meeting of a UU women’s group and ask the women there why they value the group.

Think

What role does sisterhood have in Unitarian Universalism? How might sisterhood relate to the 7 Principles?

Express

Create a poem, a song, an Internet poster, a story, or a piece of artwork that focuses on what you especially value about your friendships with girls and women.