Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) is proud to announce that Franklin Girl Scout Abigail Drake earned the highest award in Girl Scouting: the Girl Scout Gold Award. Abigail was one of 47 Gold Award Girl Scouts honored from eastern Massachusetts at a ceremony on Sunday, May 18, at historic Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham, MA.
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(L-R) GSEMA Board Chair & President Deb Taft,
Abigail. GSEMA CEO Monica Roberts |
Abigail earned the Gold Award for implementing Textile Sustainability in Franklin, which reduced waste and promoted textile recycling. Abigail was inspired by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s initiative to significantly reduce the state’s solid waste disposal, particularly by encouraging residents to recycle, donate, and reuse textiles that otherwise would have been disposed of illegally or unethically. Abigail sought to support her state’s efforts by informing members of her community about the initiative.
Abigail held presentations and handed out flyers in areas where people were commonly known to dispose of textiles. Additionally, she arranged for several clothing drives where Abigail spread awareness and collected unneeded items for recycling and donation to those in need. This work will be sustained beyond Abigail’s involvement through her school’s environmental club, which will continue to hold presentations, information booths, and clothing drives.
Abigail reflected, “I was often told, across the duration of my project, that I was making a difference and that the things I was doing mattered to the people I had spoken to because they knew so little about the things I was talking about before the events I held.”
With a minimum of 80 service hours spent per project, this year’s class of 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts has dedicated roughly 4,000 hours to making positive change by addressing real-world problems, including mental health, environmental sustainability, social justice, food insecurity, and the arts.
The Girl Scout Gold Award recognizes Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 who develop resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them a personal and professional edge. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts acquire tangible skills and demonstrate that they’re the leaders our world needs. Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers.
According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them secure a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when Girl Scouts earn their Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives.
For more information on Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, visit www.gsema.org or follow them on social @girlscoutsemass (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) to see what Girl Scouts are up to in our 178 eastern Massachusetts communities.
About Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) is the largest girl-serving organization in the state with over 18,000 Girl Scouts and 11,000 adult members in 178 communities and nine counties in eastern Massachusetts. We build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, join, or learn more, visit www.gsema.org
