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Date: Monday, June 23, 1997 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
Girl Power! and the Girls Scouts will join forces to develop a national program that will teach Girl Scouts about the dangers of substance abuse and other risky behaviors. The program will include a range of activities designed to help girls stay healthy, stay active, stay drug free, and excel in school. The Girl Scouts will introduce a new Girl Power! patch that Girl Scouts can earn by completing this program. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. have approximately 20 current national patch projects. One or two new national patch projects are typically introduced each year.
The Girl Scouts will also make Girl Power! materials available to their members, and Girl Power! will provide sports posters and other materials to 40,000 Girl Scouts at their sports days this summer. All told, this initiative has the potential to reach 2.5 million Girl Scouts across the country.
"With the combination of the Girl Scouts and Girl Power!, we have the power to create healthy minds, healthy bodies, and strong futures for millions of girls," said Secretary Shalala. "The Girl Scouts are once again stepping up to the plate to help all girls reach as far as their dreams will take them." In her remarks, Secretary Shalala also recognized that 1997 marks the Girl Scouts' 85th Anniversary, and praised the Girl Scouts for "taking an active role in the positive development of generations of American women -- from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Maya Angelou."
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world, and is open to all girls ages 5 through 17 (or in kindergarten through grade 12).
Launched in November 1996, Girl Power! is a national public education campaign sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services to help encourage and empower 9- to 14- year olds to make the most of their lives. Studies show that girls tend to lose self- confidence and self worth during this pivotal age, becoming less physically active, performing less well in school, and neglecting their own interests and aspirations. It's during these years that girls become more vulnerable to negative outside influences and to mixed messages about risky behaviors. Girl Power! is combining strong "no use" messages about tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for girls to build skills and self-confidence in academics, arts, sports, and other endeavors.
The partnership announced today will focus primarily on Girl Scouts between 9-14 years old.
Under the leadership of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Girl Power! campaign was developed in consultation with the many health agencies that make up HHS and with national, state, and local organizations that serve girls. However, Girl Power! is also a product of the girls themselves. Across the country, girls from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds shared their concerns and ideas with SAMHSA in focus groups that formed the basis for the Girl Power! slogan. As a result, the Girl Power! campaign combines the latest knowledge about girls' lives with messages and materials designed to be appealing to girls and to the adults who care about them.