Because I Accomplished That, Now I Can Accomplish This: How Girl Scouts Empower Future Leaders

It’s March, which means it's Women’s History Month...or maybe we should call it Women’s Herstory Month? It's time to reflect, celebrate, and recognize the achievements of women throughout history while also looking ahead to the future. So today, I want to discuss why I love fundraising for the next generation.

When we talk about empowering women and girls, it can sometimes feel like an abstract concept, some distant goal that generations of women have worked toward. But at Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, empowerment isn’t just an idea; it’s an everyday reality. It’s woven into every activity, every challenge, and every goal that girls set and accomplish. 

More Than Just a Box of Cookies

Have you noticed that it’s Cookie Season? You may have even bought a $5 box of Thin Mints that you have tucked away in your freezer or a sleeve of Peanut Butter Patties you're saving as an afternoon treat. But that $5 purchase does more than satisfy your sweet tooth, it fuels a movement of future leaders and entrepreneurs.

• Just $5 gives a girl the chance to attend Girl Scout Camp, where she will climb a rock wall, steer a canoe with her teammates, hike with her new cabin friends, and discover her favorite Virginia-native wildflower.

• Only $5 to help support a troop’s service project. This year, they are focusing on filling the shelves of their local food bank; supplementing cans they gathered from their middle schools, and shopping for fresh fruits and veggies.

• For $5 to help a troop register for a 5K walk, where they get t-shirts to show up as a team, building each other up and encouraging one another, every step of the way. 

These experiences aren’t just for fun. They’re building blocks for confidence, resilience, and leadership. They teach girls that they are capable. That they can set a goal and achieve it. That they can dream big and then take steps to make those dreams happen.

The Business of Confidence

Confidence built in Girl Scouting doesn’t end when the troop meetings do, it carries into the future. The Girl Scout Research Institute has conducted multiple studies interviewing businesswomen on the long-term impact of the program, and the results are striking:

• 53% of all businesswomen and female entrepreneurs were Girl Scouts.

• Girl Scout alums are more likely than other women to have a bachelor’s degree in business.

What does this tell us? It tells us that when girls are given opportunities to lead, manage, sell, collaborate, and problem-solve, they grow into women who are ready to do the same in the business world. They take those skills and apply them to launching their own companies, leading organizations, and making an impact in their industries.

The Importance of Empowering Future Female Leaders

Investing in girls today means creating a stronger, more inclusive world tomorrow. When girls are encouraged to lead, innovate, and believe in themselves, they bring fresh perspectives, groundbreaking ideas, and a collaborative spirit to every field they enter.

A McKinsey & Company study showed that companies with over 30% women executives were more likely to outperform those with 10-30% women executives, which in turn outperformed companies with even fewer or no women in executive roles. Yet, gender gaps still exist in boardrooms, executive teams, and startup funding.

By nurturing leadership skills from a young age, organizations like the Girl Scouts help bridge that gap. When we empower young girls to take initiative, to speak up, and to take risks, we ensure a future where more women break barriers, lead successful businesses, and drive social and economic progress.

Businesswomen Built on the Girl Scout Law

According to the Girl Scout Law, Girl Scouts promise to:

• Use resources wisely

• Be honest and fair

• Respect themselves and others

• Be courageous and strong

I think that having women who follow those principles in business not only makes those businesses better, it creates a better world, where more people embody these values, and champion fairness, sustainability, respect, and courage. 

How You Can Support Future Female Leaders

This Women’s History Month, I invite you to take action and support empowering our future leaders.  Join me in supporting the Girl Scouts and help build the next generation of confident, capable women:

• Buy a pack of cookies and encourage her confidence by asking what she loves about being a Girl Scout.  

• Donate to our Annual Fund. Your support helps ensure that more girls have access to transformative experiences. 

• Share your story. If you were a Girl Scout, talk about what you learned and how it has shaped your journey. Inspire another woman or girl to step into leadership.

Together, we can create a future where every girl sees her potential, believes in her ability, and takes bold steps toward achieving her dreams. Because when we empower women and girls—when we live by the values of honesty, fairness, courage, and respect—we make the world a better place for everyone.

Written by: Margaret Dodson-Cordrey, Director of Annual Giving  - Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia 
Margaret Dodson-Cordrey is a dedicated fundraising professional based in Richmond, VA, with over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Passionate about empowering women and girls and fostering community, she joined Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia in May 2024. She is especially excited to collaborate with the Girl Scout community to support girls across Central Virginia through impactful fundraising efforts. Margaret is deeply committed to DEIRJ work and enjoys knitting, spending time with her wife, Kelsey, and doting on their dogs, Phoebe and Gracie.