You’d expect me to talk about ghosts and goblins today. I mean, it’s October 31 — pumpkin patches, cobwebs, trick‑or‑treat routes, “best costume” contests — that’s what most folks have on the brain. But before you lace up boots, carve another jack‑o’‑lantern, or decide whether to hand out candy or glow sticks, hear me out: today is also Girl Scout Founder’s Day — and that deserves a moment of your attention, too.
Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts back in 1912. She believed girls should have the same chances as boys to learn, lead, serve, and grow. So while Halloween makes the loudest noise of the day, I want you to pause and listen to something quieter but far more enduring.
Scouting isn’t just about s’mores or patches. It’s about pushing young girls into belief — belief in themselves, belief they can change their communities, belief that leadership is earned, not given. In a crowded media diet of “what’s fun” and “what’s viral,” Girl Scouts quietly work on what matters: character, service, resilience.
Here in Southeastern Indiana, Girl Scouts have been quietly shaping our towns and neighborhoods for decades. Troops organize food drives, clean up parks, plant gardens, mentor younger girls, and take on small projects that ripple out into the community. Every badge earned, every service project completed, and every cookie sold teaches responsibility, teamwork, and the confidence to step up when it matters most.
It may be easy to overlook in the chaos of Halloween decorations and candy bowls, but Girl Scouts in our area are creating leaders. They are learning to problem-solve, to plan, to act, and to care — skills that extend far beyond troop meetings. They are the young women who will run local boards, volunteer in nonprofits, coach teams, and remind us all that community isn’t just a word — it’s action.
So yes — enjoy your candy, your haunted houses, your costume selfies. But tonight, as children approach your door, remember: behind some of those little ghosts and superheroes might be a future leader, nurtured in a troop somewhere in our towns. When they ask for a treat or flash a shy smile, remember that Girl Scouts in Southeastern Indiana are quietly shaping the next generation — teaching girls the kind of values that last far longer than any costume or sugar rush.
Tonight, as you flick on your porch light, let your door give more than candy. Let it open a doorway to recognition — let it say, “I see your courage, your leadership, your service.” Because while Halloween is loud, spooky, and vivid, Girl Scout Founder’s Day is the quiet reminder that character outlasts a costume.
Happy Halloween — and to every Girl Scout and former Girl Scout out there: thank you. And keep those cookies coming!