Global Leadership Conference sees a bright future
Event brought Girl Scouts from 14 states together for inspiration and learning
March 14, 2025
NEWPORT, RI – Inspiring a new generation of female leaders to have hope for the future, the 38th annual Girl Scout Global Leadership Conference took place March 7-9 at Salve Regina University with the theme of Global Connectivity. Nearly 275 high-school-age Girl Scouts, volunteers and presenters took part in the conference. That includes Girl Scouts from 22 councils in 14 states, as well as Girl Scouts Overseas.
"For the first time since starting high school, I'm not as nervous for what comes after. I'm excited!" said one Girl Scout at the conference.
The conference featured dozens of workshops on topics including STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), global issues, social justice, personal growth/health/fitness, stress management techniques, human trafficking, college prep issues, financial literacy, sensitive topics such as depression, and gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues. AFS and Rhode Island for Community and Justice also presented workshops.
Keynote speakers were Gold Award Girl Scout Morgan Summerton of Sunapee, NH, who shared her experience with educating first responders about deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers; the Rev. Alicia Vélez Stewart of Weston United Methodist Church on connecting to advocacy and being a courageous activist; Caitlin Moore, executive director of the United Nations Association of Greater Boston on connecting the local to the global; Dr. Sylvia Dee of Rice University on climate change; and Annika Carle of Girl Scouts Overseas and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts on global connections.
“You are part of a movement fueled by your courage, your conviction and your dreams,” said Vélez Stewart. “We are not just the future, we are the present.”
The Lost Tribe Musicians performed on the first evening, entertaining the participants with their drum-centered Afro-funk fusion.
Kim Lemear leads Girl Scout Troop 10633 in Manchester, NH. She and her daughter attended the event for the third time along with two other members of the troop.
“We had an amazing time,” she said. “I am excited that I have a multi-age-level troop, so we will be able to attend the program with my girls for many years to come. This being the 38th year for the program, I am sure it will continue for many more years. I am also excited for the girls to have the opportunity to come back as young adults, as panelists in the after high school/college program and as consultants presenting on their future careers.”
Emma Hanson posted on LinkedIn that she feels compelled to go out and take action in her community after the event. “Dang, did we start something beautiful! We laughed together, shared ideas, proposed solutions, and worked together to take the world’s biggest issues.”
Melissa Florio posted: “Seeing these young women having difficult discussions of the challenges of today – problems created by their parents’ and grandparents’ generations – makes you feel a little more calm that, with them at the helm, we stand a chance of righting the ship.”
“The best weekend of the year…now we start planning for next year!” posted Brownie Mattson.
The Girl Scout Global Leadership Conference has always provided a safe space for teens to discuss challenging topics with accomplished female leaders. Leadership development, advocacy and activism are central to engaging teens in complex global and local issues which engage their curiosity and passion. In order to maximize the possibilities for positive outcomes, it is important to continue to increase the diversity of participants and consultants. Girl Scouts have always provided financial assistance to participants, and the conference has also welcomed AFS (formerly American Field Service) Scholarship exchange students from all over the world.
The Global Leadership Conference would not be possible without the support of Salve Regina University, NASA, and the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.
