Please use the following statement to respond to questions you may

Please use the following statement to respond to questions you may receive as a result of

Internet postings based largely on misinformation and rumor. Official Girl Scout positions are

outlined in a nationally published document titled “What We Stand For.”

Girl Scouts’ Official Positions on Faith-Based and Social Issues:

 The Girl Scout Movement is a secular, values-based organization founded on democratic

principles, including freedom of religion. We do not attempt to dictate the form or style of a

member's worship. We believe faith is a private matter for girls and their families to address.

 The Girl Scout national organization does not have any national collaboration or relationship

with Planned Parenthood, nor do we provide any financial support to this organization. We

believe health and sexuality are private matters for girls and their families. (Please note that

as a local council, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana also does not have

a partnership with Planned Parenthood.)

 The Girl Scout organization, including local councils, does NOT take a position on abortion

or birth control. Our membership is a cross-section of America with regard to opinions on

religious and social issues and practices. We believe these matters are best decided by girls

and their families.

The organization has a rewarding relationship with many faith-based organizations, including

the Catholic Church. Ongoing conversations at a national and local level ensure that there is

support for Girl Scouting from leaders in the religious community who understand our mission,

our resources and our program for girls.

As an organization we celebrate each girl’s commitment to her own religion, and support her

and her family as she embraces that by earning some of the religious recognitions available for

girls. In fact, the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting contains a faith-based award called “My Promise,

My Faith” that encourages girls to keep their connections between their faith community and the

important values outlined in the lines of the Girl Scout Law.

We assure you that as an organization we are standing tall for our true convictions and

continuing to move forward with our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and

character who make the world a better place.

Please share these responses as appropriate so that others understand our official positions.