Local Elected Women Inspire Greenwich Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts of all ages and their families met seven elected women at a recent outdoor event held at the YWCA of Greenwich.

Livvy Floren, Alex Kasser, Beth Krumeich, Karen Kowalski, Katherine LoBalbo, Lauren Rabin, and Kathleen Stowe warmly greeted Girl Scouts and welcomed them to share their concerns and questions.

Dressed for the occasion in Girl Scout colors, Lauren Rabin asked for thoughts from Thalia and Calliope Nobay of Girl Scout Troop 50303, seen with their mother, Greenwich Girl Scouts Service Unit Manager Frances Wu Nobay. Contributed photo
Connecticut State Senator Alex Kasser meets Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 50148.
Karen Kowalski, Board of Education member, engages Brownie and Daisy Girl Scouts while
accompanied by her daughter, Sophia Bianco.
Connecticut State Senator Alex Kasser in discussion with Ananya Saraf, a Junior in Girl Scout Troop 50119 and her mother, Sujata Saraf.

Approximately 70 Girl Scouts, from Daisy Girl Scouts in kindergarten to Ambassador Girl Scouts in 11th and 12th grades got inspired to speak up and learn about public service as they moved down the line of elected officials, masked, in small groups.

Behind each woman was a poster with a quotation about what inspired her to first seek elected office.

Karen Kowalksi answers questions from Blair and Anna Mulligan, who attended with their mother, Girl Scout Troop 50126 Leader and Women in Government Event co-organizer, Lori Mulligan.

Educational exhibits and activities were created by 11th graders in Girl Scout Troop 50540. Together with high schoolers from Girl Scout Troop 50376, they guided attendees through stations on voting, local wildlife regulations, women in politics, and the history of the Women’s Suffrage movement.

The Greenwich Historical Society contributed educational materials that reflected their ongoing exhibit on the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage.

The seven honored guests connected immediately with the Girl Scouts, whether they were teenagers or elementary schoolers. Many of the visiting elected women had connections to Girl Scouts, whether as parents, alumnae, supporters, or previous event participants.

Katherine LoBalbo, RTM member, invites Girl Scout Troop 50247 Cadettes, leaders, and parents to share their questions.

“Ms. Rabin showed us a picture of when she was a Brownie, and said that she was once very shy,” said sisters Calliope and Thalia Nobay, of Girl Scout Troop 50303.

After the event closed, Girl Scout Troop 50540 quickly cleaned up decorations and packed the exhibits so they would have their own chance to speak to the elected women.

“That was awesome!” shouted three of the eleventh grade Girl Scouts later, as they walked across the parking lot that had been the site of their outdoor pop-up museum. Connecticut State Senator Alex Kasser had stayed late to listen to the teens’ opinions and share her own experiences in public office.

Kathleen Stowe, Vice-Chair of Greenwich Board of Education and candidate for State Representative, joined by her daughter Mary, of Brownie Troop 50632, speaks with Girl Scouts and their families.

The Greenwich Girl Scout is a Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.  Girl Scouts are the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. For more information on our mission visit the Girl Scouts of Connecticut website: www.gsofct.org

State Representative Livvy Floren expressed her pleasure in serving for over two decades and her joy at meeting the next generation of elected women officials.