Toos Day - Women in Scouting

National Women's Day

Today, March 8, 2022 is International Women's Day. I have thought about this for a few days before getting it all together. I know that I have focused on Girl Troops in BSA, but I started thinking about the world of Scouting. Women have played a vital role in Scouting long before they were allowed to join Scouting.

Without women being actively involved as den mothers, scoutmasters, assistant scoutmasters, committee volunteers, the program would not be where it is today. The fact that it took until 2019 when international scouting has included girls for decades sometimes baffles me. Scouting Wire attempted to highlight the accomplishments of five women. They saved 5 for the scout moms.  I looked at the other 4 and I thought to myself, they struggled to look back and honor women in scouting. The organization was exclusively for boys until 2019. Yes, I know that Ships, and Crews allowed co-ed children 14+ for a long time, but as we all know recruiting kids at 14 is not an easy task. It was a difficult task as there are no high-profile individuals to really highlight. I am hoping in 20-25 years an article like this will have a much different appearance. I was glad that this article did mention the unsung heroes, the scout moms. 

I recently completed Woodbadge N6-544-21, and what I found is that the leadership of Scouts is comprised of a large percentage of women. Without these dedicated women, Scouts would not exist. They were the former Den Mothers, and help build Troops by keeping activities fun, and Cubs involved. They gave their time so their sons could reap the benefits, all the while knowing that their daughters were not able to officially join. They brought their other children often girls with them, and they joined the activities, planting the seeds of change over a generation. These countless women laid the groundwork for family scouting. They are the real agents of change. While we look at the decisions of the National BSA, Local Councils, Dens, and Troops making changes, these Den Leaders as we call them now have had an impact well beyond most of their years of service. They went on the campouts, they taught the skills, and they planned the activities that allowed Cub to cross over to Scouts. They are an example that in certain realms, man or woman, isn't an important factor. They are the true unsung heroes of the Girls in Scouting movements. 

I was told that Den Mothers used to wear the pale yellow shirt and had a separate patch to enumerate their involvement. I have met a few female Scouters that still adorn the pale yellow shirt, and they have enjoyed explaining when they got involved. These women who wear the pale yellow still for the most part are the reason that our girls are involved today. I like to think of this uniform as the "throwback" uniform. 

I hope that as we move forward we can look at some of the ways that policies make access to scouting more difficult. We need to look at a world in which two female leaders can take a group of boys on an outing, but a group of two male leaders needs a female leader or parent to include a girl. This extra burden can ultimately impact access and recruitment. A single parent with multiple children might not have the ability my family did when dad just volunteered. It is a double standard, and it does have impacts. 

Today is National Women's Day, while I believe advocacy of equality can be part of it, I do not want to end with that. I would like to recognize all of the amazing women that I have come to know through my time in Scouting. The selfless, giving, and amazing spirit they bring to our organization. To the leaders, committee members, and women who support our organization, there is no recognition big enough to give you. To the young women blazing the path for those to come behind you, thank you for taking a brave and bold step to starting something that you will only watch grow and expand. 

-Adam

Thank you to the ladies that made this picture possible - A Scoutmaster is Sleepy.

Again thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully enjoy this post. If you would like more of these, click the follow button on the blog. Again, I am amazed how many eyes are set upon this every week.  I know professionals would see this as a small number, but to me 1000 views is amazing. Also, I am from New Birth of Freedom, Troop 1019, Linglestown. We love to leave Council and try new experiences. If you ever in the area, or would like to try to meet up as a Troop, feel free to reach out. Expanding the world is part of our goals, and without dedicated Scouters, like yourselves, it wouldn't be possible. Thank you again!