Latest news with #JulietteGordonLow
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Biggest Scandals In Girl Scout Cookie History
Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) began as a small troop dedicated to teaching young girls practical skills. At a time when women couldn't vote and were expected to adhere to traditional roles, the organization offered a space for girls to develop community, confidence, and independence. Over the decades, Girl Scouts grew into a nationwide movement, empowering millions through outdoor adventures, diversity campaigns, and educational programs. Of course, we can't forget about the Girl Scouts' iconic cookies. From fans expressing excitement over new cookie releases to hoping that a discontinued favorite will return, the nonprofit has captivated cookie lovers nationwide for over 100 years. What started as a high school fundraising effort evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with Girl Scout cookies becoming a household name and a key part of the institution's identity. Beyond its famous cookies, Girl Scouts has built a strong reputation for fostering entrepreneurship in young girls. Its marketing strategies (including limited-edition cookie flavors and popular snack collaborations with companies like Yoplait and General Mills) have kept the organization relevant in an ever-changing market. Despite Girl Scouts' legacy of empowerment and success, the group and its famous cookies have seen their share of controversy, including cases of alleged embezzlement and more recent concerns over potential toxins. Read more: The 7 Lowest And 6 Highest Quality Ice Cream Brands To Look Out For For years, Girl Scouts has claimed its cookies contain no trans fats, but past labeling practices may have been misleading. Under FDA guidelines, foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving could be labeled as having zero grams of trans fats, even if they contained partially hydrogenated oils. This allowed food manufacturers, including Girl Scouts, to manipulate serving sizes to meet labeling requirements. This means cookies like Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas once contained small amounts of trans fats while being labeled as trans fat-free. This concern, however, is outdated. In 2015, the FDA began phasing trans fats out of the U.S. food supply after determining that they were broadly unsafe. Manufacturers nationwide were required to comply fully by January 1, 2020, meaning that Girl Scout cookies no longer contain hydrogenated oils today. While the organization has always followed legal guidelines, given its reputation for integrity, Girl Scouts might have benefited from greater transparency about the cookies' contents. The cookies, of course, still contain natural trans fats like butter and milk, but these are not affected by the FDA ban. Girl Scouts has faced repeated criticism for using palm oil in the nonprofit's cookies, an ingredient linked to deforestation and child labor. Despite years of advocacy from members within the institution — including two Girl Scouts who launched a petition in 2011 after learning about palm oil's environmental impact — Girl Scout cookies still contain palm oil. Investigations have found that the palm oil supply chain often involves unsustainable practices that contribute to rainforest destruction, endangering species like orangutans. Additionally, a 2020 report uncovered child and forced labor in the palm oil industry, raising ethical concerns about the sourcing of this ingredient. This controversy is particularly damaging because it contradicts Girl Scouts' values of ethical decision making, responsibility, and supporting local communities. However, the nonprofit has taken steps toward more sustainable routes. Girl Scouts has pledged to source "sustainable" palm oil through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), though critics argue that this certification does not fully prevent environmental harm or labor exploitation. One reason why Girl Scouts relies so heavily on palm oil is because the organization needed a replacement for hydrogenated oils and trans fats after the FDA determined them to be unsafe. Given Girl Scouts' emphasis on empowering young girls and fostering social responsibility, the organization's unwillingness to fully address these concerns has led to growing frustration among members and activists. In 2018, Patricia Cascione, a former Girl Scouts troop treasurer in Santa Clarita, California, was charged with embezzling more than $58,000 from Girl Scouts of the USA's troops and a Girl Scouts service unit. Cascione volunteered as a treasurer for various LA County Girl Scout troops over the course of 20 years. In 2019, she was found guilty of embezzling over $93,000 over a four-year period from GSUSA and the Beverly Hills Cancer Center. The case concluded with Cascione pleading no contest to the charges, resulting in a sentencing of one year of jail time, followed by five years of probation — in addition to an order to repay the stolen funds. This incident is among several in which Girl Scout leaders have been accused of misappropriating funds. In 2023, a Girl Scout troop treasurer from Delaware was arrested for allegedly stealing over $12,000 from her former troop. Similarly, a former Girl Scout troop leader in Oklahoma was accused of embezzling more than $5,000 from her troop back in 2010. The funds taken were earned from cookie sales and donations intended to honor a Girl Scout leader who had died. Though the motivations varied, these repeated incidents display the need for more financial checks and balances within Girl Scout troops. Money isn't the only asset being stolen from the Girl Scouts. In 2017, Leah Ann Vick, a 26-year-old Girl Scout troop leader from Kentucky, was indicted for allegedly stealing over $26,000 worth of Girl Scout cookies. Over the course of a few months, Vick reportedly collected more than 6,000 boxes. However, when the time came to disperse the cookies to troops and collect the proceeds, Vick was unresponsive, leading to failed attempts by the organization to recover the funds. It was unclear whether Vick had kept the cookies, sold them herself and kept the cash, distributed some to troops and pocketed the proceeds, or a combination of all three. This prompted the nonprofit to involve law enforcement, resulting in her indictment on felony theft charges. The outcome of the legal proceedings remains uncertain from available reports. Girl Scout cookie sales are essential to the financial health of a troop, as the profits allow the young girls to fund educational trips and events. In March 2025, Girl Scouts of the USA faced a class-action lawsuit alleging that its cookies contain harmful substances, including heavy metals and pesticides. This lawsuit, filed by New York resident Amy Mayo, asks for $5 million in damages and for future cookie packaging to clearly disclose the discovered substances. The lawsuit references a 2024 study conducted by Moms Across America and GMO Science, which tested several varieties of cookies. The study reportedly found traces of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury in all samples. The study also found glyphosate, a type of pesticide, in 13 cookies. Girl Scouts responded by affirming that the organization's cookies are safe and comply with all food safety regulations. The organization noted that trace amounts of heavy metals and glyphosate can occur naturally and are commonly found in many varieties of food products. Food safety experts, however, have questioned the study's validity, citing its small sample size and lack of peer review. Time will tell the results of the lawsuit, but rest assured, the cookies still follow FDA guidelines. Read the original article on Mashed.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
United States Mint Begins Shipping 2025 American Women Quarters™ Honoring Juliette Gordon Low on March 24
Washington, DC, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) will begin shipping the second coin in the 2025 American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program honoring Juliette Gordon Low on March 24. The Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver manufacture these circulating quarters. Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts of the USA, envisioning an organization that was accessible to girls from a variety of backgrounds to develop leadership and advocacy skills to better their lives and nurture their strengths and passions. 'The second coin of the 2025 American Women Quarters Program celebrates the life and legacy of Juliette Gordon Low,' said the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the Mint. 'Juliette Gordon Low devoted her life to promoting and growing Girl Scouts to the international organization it is today with nearly two million members worldwide.' The reverse (tails) depicts a likeness of Juliette Gordon Low next to the original Girl Scout Trefoil, which she designed and patented. The inscriptions 'JULIETTE GORDON LOW' and 'QUARTER DOLLAR' are included within the design. Additional inscriptions are 'FOUNDER of GIRL SCOUTS of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM.' Artist Infusion Program Designer Tom Hipschen designed the image, which Mint Medallic Artist Eric Custer sculpted. 'Juliette Gordon Low was quite a remarkable person,' said Hipschen. 'She overcame a difficult handicap to embrace a life of philanthropy and create an organization that affected thousands of lives over several generations.' 'I found the design selection for the Juliette Gordon Low quarter to be very complementary to the scale of a quarter dollar,' said Custer. 'The trefoil badge that Low designed and patented in 1914 was also a nice touch and great celebration of her founding of the Girl Scouts.' Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washington's birth. The inscriptions are 'LIBERTY,' 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' and '2025.' View an image of the Juliette Gordon Low quarter reverse here. Each 2025 AWQ honoree is a powerful, inspiring example of the breadth, depth, and range of accomplishments, and the experiences demonstrated by these extraordinary women. Coins featuring additional honorees will continue to ship until the end of 2025. Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of American women. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. Please consult with your local financial institutions regarding the availability of AWQ Program quarters honoring Juliette Gordon Low beginning in middle to late April. Numismatic Products This groundbreaking coin program is an excellent way to remind future generations what can be accomplished with vision, determination, and a desire to improve opportunities for all. Subscribe to the program today to ensure fulfillment of your favorite product through 2025. About the United States Mint Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers. # # #
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
City unveils ferries with cutting-edge feature designed to change transportation: 'We're committed to pushing the boundaries'
Savannah, Georgia, is now home to two new low-emissions ferries, the Juliette Gordon Low II and Susie King Taylor II. According to Energy+Environment Leader, they both use an innovative hybrid propulsion system. Manufacturing partner Derecktor has said that with these waterjet systems, the 65-foot vessels would produce fewer emissions than diesel-powered alternatives. It added that the ferries enjoy enhanced energy efficiency, better comfort for passengers, and reduced costs to operators. Would you rather have a plug-in hybrid or a full-on EV? I'm team hybrid Give me the EV Whichever is cheaper I don't want either Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Marine Jet Power built the propulsion system using a model that it deployed in military and law enforcement capacities. It's safe to say these are up to the task of ferrying daily commuters between City Hall Landing, Trade Center Landing, and Waving Girl Landing. The boats were named after two famous locals. Juliette Gordon Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts, and Susie King Taylor was the first Black woman to teach openly in a school for formerly enslaved individuals in Georgia. Burning diesel produces a lot of pollution, so cutting its use by any amount is good news for the environment and personal health. More and more commercial boats are enjoying the benefits of electrification, including high-demand ships like tugboats. Growing options include several new hydrofoil technologies. Overall, boats emit little pollution compared to light-duty road travel, but the seas are not without their villains. On a distance-per-traveler basis, cruise ships are particularly bad offenders. Reducing pollution from ferry travel is going in the right direction, in any case. The new ferries in Savannah are the first of their kind in America, and the manufacturer is excited about their potential. "We're committed to pushing the boundaries of marine technology and delivering innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability," said Erik Derecktor, new construction commercial manager for Derecktor Shipyards. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What is National Girl Scouts Day?
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – National Girl Scouts Day is on Wednesday, March 12. 113 years ago Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. She led her first troop meeting of 18 girls on March, 12. These girls were trailblazers; passionate about learning and developing their skills at a time when women couldn't yet vote. They challenged the social norms of the time by promoting self-reliance. Girl Scouts continues to encourage girls to forage their own paths and follow what they love. Patches cover everything from survival skills, and business maintenance, to journalism. Find the newest Girl Scout Cookie flavors for 2025! The holiday celebrates the organization and occurs in the middle of its annual 'Girl Scout Week'. Each day of the week highlights a different principle: Sprint Sunday – A celebration of the sisterhood of Scouts. Girls often invite non-scouts to a meeting. Affirmation Monday – A reminder to follow GS's slogan 'Do a good turn daily.'. Girls are encouraged to be kind and supportive of those around them. Troop Tuesday – This can vary by troop and religious affiliation per girl. Many take a multi-faith approach and use the day as an opportunity to learn about others. Birthday Wednesday – Girls often wear their full scouting uniform on the birthday. Events typically include looking at scouting throughout history and archival materials like former handbooks. Thankful Thursday – It is a day to reflect on gratefulness. Many girls explore nature around them. Some work on earning their My Promise, My Faith pin. Flash Forward Friday – A day for learning about the world around you. Some girls write letters to their elected officials sharing their thoughts on an issue that matters to them. Learning about Mental Health is also encouraged. Service Saturday – This is the day girls focus on their Community Service Project. Donating birthday supplies to a local food pantry is a very common project. To learn more about Girl Scouts in the Miami Valley, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Girl Scouts celebrate 113 years since being founded in Savannah
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)—The Girl Scouts are celebrating a major milestone. Today marks the 113th anniversary of the organization's founding, which happened right here in Savannah! Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts right in the heart of Savannah. With a legacy that spans more than a century, this week is extra special for local Girl Scouts and the community. This week marks Girl Scout week – and today, March 12th, is Founder's Day, the anniversary of when the organization was founded with a troop of 18 girls in Savannah. Today, the organization has nearly 2 million members across 92 countries and continues its mission to empower girls. This anniversary, every baby girl born today across the state of Georgia – and some of South Carolina will receive a bib and certificate honoring this historic day. Locally, Savannah is hosting events like legacy of leadership to showcase the impact of Girl Scouts today. 'Girl scouts founded here in Savannah, Georgia, is one of the original nonprofits founded in the city as really intertwined into the history of the city itself,' said Chelsea Simpson, the Community Engagement Manager for the Girl Scouts. 'It was always about helping girls become empowered women to make the world a better place.' The Girl Scouts' founder is also being commemorated with a new quarter. This spring, Juliette Gordon Low was selected as one of the women to be placed on a quarter that will enter circulation in a few weeks. The Girl Scouts remain deeply rooted in Savannah's history. The organization makes a lasting impact on the community and continues to shape future leaders. With a focus on education, mentorship, and empowerment, the Girl Scouts' influence is as strong as ever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
