The Junior Girl Scouts of Troop 20549 are working on their Government in Action badge, and they came to the Town Council meeting on Monday night to put some of what they had learned in action. They asked the Council to change the order of march in the Memorial Day parade so that Girl Scouts can walk up front with the Boy Scouts of the same age, and not at the end of the parade with younger Scouts.
Two years ago, the leader of the F.N. Brown-based troop, Regina French, came before the Town Council to ask if older Girl Scouts could lead the parade with their counterpart Boy Scouts, but the parade order was not changed. She shared that with her troop recently as they were working on the government badge and they decided to bring the matter to the Town Council again. Angelina Guarducci read this statement on behalf of the girls:
Mayor Manley and members of Verona Town Council: I am a Junior Girl Scout in Troop 20549 from F.N. Brown School, 4th Grade.
My troop has marched in the Memorial Day Parade since we were in Kindergarten. After the parade, we are honored to place flags for the soldiers.
My troop and I are here today to ask you to allow the Girl Scouts to march alongside the Boy Scouts of the same age in the Verona Memorial Day Parade.
We found out that the policeman in charge at the parade has a list and it says that the older Boy Scouts go in front. All the Girl Scouts (even the older ones) must march with the younger kids toward the end of the parade.
We would like to ask you to please treat the Girl Scouts as equals and let them march alongside the Boy Scouts. It’s only fair.
After Guarducci’s remarks, French tried to remind the Council of her appearance two years ago and was cut short by Verona Town Manager Joe Martin. Martin said today that Sue Neale, who arranges the parade order, was talking to the Verona Police Department about changes. The Memorial Day parade steps off from Everett Field on Monday, May 26, at 10 a.m.
I would like to think that this simple request for equality will be honored by the parade administrators. The fact that they were ignored by the Town Council two years ago should have all mothers in this town asking ” what’s up with that???” I hope Regina French and her Girl Scout troop continue to make a difference and show all girls that backing down is not an option. Good job Girl Scouts!
Amelia Earhart, Margaret Thatcher, Admiral Grace Hopper, would all be up front in the parade.
Just wanted to give an update. I am a Brownie Girl Scout Leader – as we were lining up for the parade – the cub scout leaders came up to us and said: “Ladies would you do us the honor of walking in front of us?” We thanked them and obliged. They are a true class act. That being said,why didn’t the town honor us equally? Our goal was not to walk before the Cub Scouts (and we do truly appreciate what they did)our goal was to walk beside them and be recognized by our town leaders as equals. Why did our town representatives turn their backs on Troop 20549 request?
Correction, seems Town did move Girl Scouts up. Still though we applaud the Boy Scouts for offering us the front spot before knowing the council’s decision.