Krusick, Lazich Among Those Who Form Honorary Girl Scout Troop

Women members of Wisconsin’s State Legislature and representatives from each of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Alliance’s four councils came together Tuesday morning at the state capital to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Girl Scouting in Wisconsin.

Fifteen women members of the Wisconsin State Legislature participated in an investiture ceremony, forming Wisconsin’s first honorary troop of women legislators, Honorary Troop 1912. The troop is a bipartisan delegation of women members of the Wisconsin State Legislature established by the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Alliance to: honor women for their contributions as policymakers, recognize their position as role models for girls, and educate the legislative body about issues affecting girls and young women.

The troop is named for the year Girl Scouts was established and celebrates Girl Scouting’s 100th anniversary taking place this year.

“The leadership development Girl Scouts provides can help today’s Girl Scouts become tomorrow’s elected officials and community leaders,” said Molly Fuller, CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “As we celebrate our first 100 years and look to our next 100, we are honored to join with these distinguished women to celebrate and advance the mission of Girl Scouts.”

In addition to the investiture ceremony, the honorary troop members were briefed on the enrichment opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Girl Scouting is providing to more than 75,000 girls throughout the state and learned how they can help champion STEM education for girls and all youth in Wisconsin.

Troop 1912 leaders include Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Sens. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa), and Reps. Patricia Strachota (R-West Bend), Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake) and Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Middleton). Members of the honorary troop include Reps. Elizabeth Coggs (D-Milwaukee), Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), Jill Billings (D-LaCrosse), Kathleen Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls), Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee),
Sens. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Jennifer Shilling (D-LaCrosse), Pam Galloway (R-Wausau), and Jessica King (D-Oshkosh).

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast is a member of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Alliance which also includes the councils of Girl Scouts of Manitou, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland. The Alliance represents girls’ interests before state legislators and Members of Congress, as well as with state departments and agencies. Through advocacy, the Alliance informs and educates about issues important to the well-being of girls and young women in the state of Wisconsin.