Last week, I got an amazing, heart-full of inspiration from
of all people an eleven-year-old I’ve known since she was a baby. I had the privilege
of witnessing a historic moment as this young lady—we’ll call her Valerie—revealed
her own inner strength. She stood up in front of a room full of people holding
a sign that read “Brave”. Then she said these words:
"A Scout is Brave. A Scout can face danger although he or she is afraid. He, or she, has the courage to stand for what he or she thinks is right even if others laugh at them or threaten him or her."
Valerie bridged up from cub scouts that evening, and “Brave”
was her word from the scout law. And she owned it even before she stood on
that stage. You see, she’s been a part of scouting since she was a baby because
her older brother went through cub scouts. It was no surprise to me when she
signed on as a Webelo 2 before the ink was dry on the BSA proclamation that
girls could join cubbies last year.
Honestly, the night of the bridging I stood
in the back of the room fighting happy tears as I watched this little girl—sorry, young
woman—speaking these words with such courage and grace moments before she
became the first girl to unofficially
bridge to our troop. Unofficially because BSA won’t start accepting girls in
boy scouts until February 1st of next year. So, she’s in a holding
pattern until then.It was an honor to be one of the adult representatives to receive
her as she crossed over. I hope I’m also there to see her achieve Eagle Scout
rank.
It’ll be a long ten months of waiting until girls can
join boy scouts, but Valerie is committed, along with a handful of the sisters
of some of our current scouts. They are trailblazers, bar setters, and modern-day
pioneers. Brave, strong young women who are finding their voices in this crazy,
ever-changing world. At a far younger age than I did, I might add. And they are
an inspiration to this world—and to me—on so many levels.
I hope all my heroines reflect the spirit that burns in Valerie. If they do, then I'm doing my job right.
Always remember to watch for those daily moments of inspiration
in your own lives, and never hesitate to be
someone’s strong heroine. You never know when or how you'll make a difference.
Author Bio
USA Today Bestselling Author, Lea Kirk loves to transport
her readers to other worlds with her sci-fi romances. When she’s not busy
writing about the blue and green aliens of her Prophecy series, she’s hanging
out with her hubby, five kids (the nerd herd), and spoiled Dobie mix puppy.
Keep up with Lea here
8 comments:
How very proud you must be of this pioneer! "Brave" is my 2nd favorite Disney movie (after Mulan). To force yourself into doing what's right despite fear. That's being brave. I want my heroines to come across as brave. They don't have to be brave at the beginning, but when the time comes, they show their resilience, their bravery.
I am busting my buttons for all the girls in our group. They are amazing.
And, you're right, having a heroine discover her inner strength over the course of the story is the best. :)
What a sweet story! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Maureen!
This is awesome, Lea! Scouting was a huge part of my life as a parent going through it with both my boys as one of the pack leaders then "crossing" the bridge with them figuratively. No girls allowed back then but remembering how much I loved being involved in all the badges and activities, I'm cheering on those girls who'll take part in the future building skills and relationships and pride. Yeah!!
That is inspirational! And a reminder of all the good things happening out there in the real world. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, Nancy and Sorchia! :) Nancy-I know what you mean. Even as a child I wanted to be in Boy Scouts. Their program fit me much better than GS. I'm excited that my future granddaughters will have the choices I didn't.
What an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing.
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