In Memory of Gertrude “Bobby” Lerch
First President of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital

By: Lidia Soto-Harmon

Over the past 50 years, Gertrude “Bobby “ Lerch rarely missed a Girl Scout event, quite an accomplishment for a 104 year old woman. She was the first president of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, and I met her ten years ago when I joined Girl Scouts. She was a young 94 back then. I was struck by her sense of humor, her “tell it like it is” directness, and her deep passion for girls and the Girl Scout Movement. On March 10, we presented Bobby with the 90-Year Longevity Award to celebrate nine decades as a Girl Scout. Four weeks later she passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family.

In the last ten years, I have had many occasions to visit with Bobby to…