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Past and present
leadership of the GSCAB reminisce
about the Councils accomplishments.
L to R: Josephine Newton, Sandy Carter, Jane Floyd
Bullen. |
On March 13, 2008, seventeen Girl Scout alumnae gathered at Chez
Pierre Restaurant in Tallahassee to celebrate Girl Scout Week.
Among the women in attendance were members who were Girl Scouts
in the 1930’s, whose involvement spans more than 50 years along
with mothers of second and third generation Girl Scouts; women
who serve as leaders to their daughters’ troops passing on the
traditions of Girl Scouts as well as women who were Girl Scouts
and now serve as leaders in the organization and community.
The location of the luncheon has ties to the early Girl Scout
movement in Leon County serving as the meeting place for girls
in Clara Jane Smith’s troop. The house that now houses Chez
Pierre Restaurant was her childhood home. Her mother and the
other women spent many hours planning the many outings and
service projects for their troop.
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Clara Jane Smith shares the
history of the
Leon County
Girl Scout Council, who met in
her childhood home,
now the location for
Chez Pierre, site of the
2008 Alumnae Luncheon. |
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First Vice President of the GSCAB
Board,
Carol Spring,
welcomes those attending
the 2008 Alumnae Luncheon. |
Ms. Smith shared her memories of cookie sales during her time as
a girl member. Back then, a cookie sale consisted of moms baking
the cookies and placing them in paper sacks that the girls then
sold. Proceeds went to the troops for their activities. They
later contracted with a local baker.
There was fond reminiscing of the Girl Scout Little House, a
place where the girls would meet, which was located in Lafayette
Park and originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corp.
Former executive director Betty Jane Ebel shared her memories
dating back to 1937, her beginning as a girl member. She spoke
fondly of “Miss Jodi”, the adult in charge who took the girls on
many outings. Betty Jane wanted to be like Miss Jodi and decided
one day she would be a professional Girl Scout. In 1949 she
started work with the Duval Girl Scout Council. In those days in
order to be a professional you had to apply to be accepted after
one year of work.
After being accepted as a paid professional Girl Scout member
she was hired as a staff member in Tallahassee. It was through
her leadership that Camp For All Seasons became a reality. The
Council worked diligenty to develop the camp, saving half of
their cookie sales towards the fund for the camp. The lease for
the land was secured from the state and the camp built during
her time as executive director.
Also in attendance was Clarice Wilkes, another former staff
member, who shared that the early councils consisted of counties
or cities, with some joining together to be able to serve larger
areas.
The overarching theme among the women in attendance was the bond
of sisterhood that is Girl Scouts. Several shared stories of
continuing to keep in touch with Girl Scout sisters and leaders
from their days as a Brownie and Junior. Others gained
confidence and a sense of accomplishment through skills acquired
in outdoor adventures, service projects, travel opportunities
and cookie sales.
Girl
Leadership in Action Celebrated During Girl Scout Week
[pdf]
Attendees of the 2008 Girl Scout Alumnae
Luncheon
gathered for an afternoon of sisterhood and reminiscing.
Current GSCAB staff members met with Council
former staff members who pioneered
to set the foundation for today's Council.
seated l to r: Clarice Wilkes, Clifton Qwaly, Betty Jane Ebel.
Standing: Tracy Arnold, Danielle Owens, Brenda Gibbs.
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