Last week I asked why First Lady Jill Biden had not been asked to be honorary president of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
I’ve had many insightful comments that raised additional questions.
Outdated?
Has the whole “first lady” thing become outdated? Perhaps. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff might have something to say on gender-specific job descriptions. Would it be better to simply seek a “patron” in the White House?
Why Keep the Honorary Position?
It may be a quaint concept, but there are obvious advantages to having friends in high places. The status is unique–the first lady has no similar formal connection to Campfire, the American Heritage Girls, or other girl-centric youth organizations.
Access to the White House offers tremendous free publicity and provides unique opportunities for Girl Scouts. When the Obamas hosted the first-ever campout on the White House lawn in 2015, flattering images flew across social and traditional media. That night was a memory-of-a-lifetime event for the girls. Even the thunderstorm that sent the girls into the Old Executive Office Building was just another part of the adventure.
Clueless?
I regularly point to the fragility of institutional knowledge at Girl Scout National Headquarters. The revolving door at HQ facilitates lapses and mistakes are repeated instead of resolved. At times, press releases have been factually wrong. Not vague, not misconstrued, but downright absolutely no hesitation about it WRONG.
In fact, the 2009 announcement that Michelle Obama had accepted the honorary presidency was factually incorrect.
NO!!!! This is sooo embarassing!
First Lady Edith Wilson became the first honorary national president in 1917. There were THREE honorary presidents–and twelve years–before Lou Henry Hoover.
Did anyone think to fact check?
CEO Roulette
First ladies serve four-year terms–possibly eight. In Girl Scout terms, that is a phenomenally long tenure.
SIX GSUSA CEOs have flown in and out of the national headquarters since 2009. It’s a wonder national staff even remember the first lady tradition.
Until there is stability at the top, traditions are not the only things that will be lost.
© 2024 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian
Banner photo: First Lady Pat Nixon greets Cadette Girl Scouts at national headquarters in 1969.
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