Earlier this year, the Girl Scouts made news by standing by transgender girls, despite conservative backlash. And they're continuing to be on the right side of history, even if it costs them a massive donation.
Seattle Metropolitan reports that the Girl Scouts of Western Washington got a $100,000 donation in the mail, which was huge for them. But it came with this letter: "Please guarantee that our gift will not be used to support transgender girls. If you can't, please return the money."
Without a second thought, they returned the check. "Girl Scouts is for every girl," CEO Megan Ferland says. "And every girl should have the opportunity to be a Girl Scout if she wants to."
They won't name who the donor was because of privacy concerns, but Ferland told Seattle Metropolitan "the relationship is complex" between the donor and the scouts.
If that donation was meant to help all scouts, it could have helped underprivileged girls join troops and go to camp. That $100,000 would have made up a third of the Girl Scouts' financial assistance program for the year.
But that's not going to stop them. The Scouts are raising money via Indiegogo to make up for the donation, and more than $116,000 has been raised in just one day. That money will help provide summer camp, uniforms, patches, and membership fees to girls who couldn't afford it otherwise.
In a fundraising video, the Girl Scouts bring the message home. "Girl Scouts empowers EVERY girl, regardless of her gender identity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, to make the world a better place." Amen to that.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
All the Easter Eggs and Name Drops on Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' Explained
Digging through the fan theories so you don't have to.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
This Week's Best On-Sale Picks Include a Tory Burch Bag and Pretty Silver Ballet Flats
Warm weather is finally here—it's time to dress like it.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
A Sporty It-Sneaker Era Is About to Begin
Nike's next Air models are designed for Olympic athletes, but they'll soon be all over street style.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated
-
35 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
Lots of steamy nudity ahead.
By Kayleigh Roberts Last updated
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park Published