Latinas Taking the Lead
GSSJC recognizes graduates of leadership development course

by Tami De La Fuente

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council hosted the graduation of the inaugural class of Latinas Taking the Lead, featuring 12 young women who have completed various competencies in team-building, managing volunteers, communications, event planning, and ROPES course training. The graduation was held December 16, 2003 at the Junior League Tea Room.

Latinas Taking the Lead is a six-month program for Latinas, ages 18 to 29, developed specifically for the needs, interests, and concerns of young Latinas in this age group. Graduates for the 2003 class included: Jeanette de los Santos, Maria Figueroa, Christina Garcia, Gabriela Garcia, Adriana Holguin, Marlen Jaime, Kimberly Quintanilla, Guadalupe Martinez, Soraira Pacheco, Angela Platsas, Maria Santos, and Erika Villareal.

Girl Scouts of the USA awarded Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council a $25,000 grant to mentor and develop young Latina leaders and empower them to become ambassadors for Girl Scouting in their home communities. “GSUSA’s Girl Scout Research Institute released findings that show conclusively girls respond enthusiastically when approached by young women with whom they have something in common,” said Carolyn Johnson, vice president of membership for the San Jacinto Council.

“I have watched each of our 12 young women actually take the lead in balancing work, school, families, and their new Girl Scout training commitment. They have come to be mentors for each other and will be very valuable assets in branding in the growing Latina demographic that will mean so much to the future of Girl Scouting,” says Cecilia Garcia, membership manager and Latinas Taking the Lead coordinator.
The twelve graduates, two of whom have agreed to become troop leaders, will volunteer with the Council for at least a year, and they will also serve as mentors to the next Latinas Taking the Lead class. Recruitment for the new class started in January.

Retired U.S. Marshall and accomplished community volunteer Art Contreras and Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, both of whom serve on the Council’s board of directors, have endorsed Latinas Taking the Lead and will continue to work with the program’s inaugural class to help secure support, including opportunities for mentoring and internships.

Latinas Taking the Lead is free to all participants. To recommend a Latinas Taking the Lead candidate or to sign-up as a volunteer presenter, contact Cecilia Garcia at 713-292-0287 or cgarcia@sjgs.org.