Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Spirit Lives on in Girl Scouting

January 9, 2004

By Michele Landa Riggio, staff writer

	Girl Scouts celebrate and embrace each others' differences.

For many children throughout the United States, January 19, 2004, will not simply be a day off from school. It will also be a day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the great civil rights leaders in American history. Dr. King, who earned the Nobel Peace Prize 40 years ago because he "had contributed the most to the furtherance of peace among men," is someone Girl Scouts nationwide celebrate today. In memory of his legacy, Girl Scouts will participate in community service activities such as serving meals at local shelters, marching in community parades, and collecting food for local pantries.

Giving Locally

Since 1997, community leaders in Mississippi have celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a day of service. For their part, local Girl Scouts ages 8-17 and their families partner annually with community agencies to volunteer their services. This year, girls will collect clothing for a local clothing bank called Community Stewpot, participate in a community clean-up, collect canned food for a local food pantry, rake leaves for a local senior citizens home, clean weeds from a community garden, serve food at a local homeless shelter, and paint a mural at a community day care center.

In New Hampshire, Girl Scouts will attend a state-wide celebration to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Some Girl Scouts will help host the celebration, which is being coordinated by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition and is being held in a local cathedral. Girl Scouts, their families, and other community members will learn about Dr. King's philosophy and life, listen to a guest speaker talk about helping today's youth, and tune in to a gospel choir performance.

Close to 45 Girl Scouts of all ages from Georgia will march in a community parade in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and some will earn a Black History Patch by learning about African American history, religion, art, and culture. Some girls will choose to create a story about famous African Americans or take the local Negro Heritage Tour. Others will study religions that influenced African Americans, learn about the Underground Railroad, create a poem about famous African Americans, and read a story or poem written by an African American author to their Girl Scout group.

The Man and His Legacy

Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. became one of the world's preeminent civil rights leaders. He led the nation through a peaceful civil rights movement during a tumultuous time in American history. Dr. King fought peacefully for equality, inspired others to realize their highest ideals, and laid the foundation for a fully integrated society. For his work, Dr. King earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was later assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. King spoke out against racial injustice from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which still resonates today. In it, he inspired everyone to turn hope into action by saying, "I have a dream that this nation will rise up and live out the meaning of its creed…that all men are created equal."

A Girl Scout's commitment to embracing diversity is woven into everything she does, beginning with the Girl Scout Promise and Law—the foundation of all Girl Scout activities. Girl Scouts also embrace the ideals that Dr. King stood for by earning proficiency badges. They learn about unique cultures of the world and earn the Global Awareness Badge, develop leadership skills through the Lead On Badge and learn about what it means to be a good citizen through the Model Citizen Badge. For more information on how Girl Scouts are observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in your area, contact your local Girl Scout council.