El Paso, TX –  Today, Girl Scout councils across Texas are excited to announce a new patch program that honors the legacy and spirit of the women’s suffrage movement. The 2020 Women’s Right to Vote Centennial Patch Program, was designed to teach girls K-12 the history of voting rights in the United States and inspire them to make their world a better place. Exactly 100 years ago today, Texas became the ninth state to ratify the 19th Amendment, which one year later, in 1920, gave women across the nation the right to vote.

Since their founding, Girl Scouts have encouraged their members to be civically involved. Today's youth are more vocal than ever about the change they want to see, and Girl Scouts are the most equipped with the skills needed to make a real impact. The results are proven: girls who participate in Girl Scouts are more than twice as likely to exhibit community problem-solving skills than girls who don't (57 percent versus 28 percent). Girl Scouts are also more likely to participate in Civic Engagement Activities than non-Girl Scouts. This new patch program builds on a curriculum that helps girls of all ages develop a voice in their communities in a safe all-girl space.

Patch programming is tailored to the age and grade level of each Girl Scout or troop, but includes:

An exploration of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the Voting Rights Act of 1965Lessons on how to register to vote, where voting locations are in the community and the roles and terms of elected officialsGuided discussions with family and community members about why they voteSteps for getting involved in a particular community nonprofit, running for school council and drafting a letter to an elected official or op-ed for a local paperEducational events across the state in fall of 2019 and spring of 2020

“Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest is proud to participate in this state-wide program,” said Patty Craven, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest. “This patch kicks-off a renewed focus on civic engagement as we continue to teach and encourage our girls to use their voices in ways that are meaningful. In 1919 only a portion of women in America were given the right to vote. The curriculum in the program addresses the centennial anniversary and the years of continued Suffrage for Women of Color and Native women. ”

All eight Texas Girl Scout councils are participating in the 2020 Women’s Right to Vote Centennial Patch Program, including:

• Girl Scouts of Central Texas
• Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest, Southern New Mexico and West Texas
• Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
• Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
• Girl Scouts San Jacinto Council
• Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
• Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas

About Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest

In partnership with over 2,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest serves over 3,000 girls each year—in 34 counties in West Texas and Southern New Mexico —to discover new abilities, connect with new friends, and take action to improve their communities. Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent leadership development organization, building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, call 1-800- 895-7390 or visit www.gsdsw.org.