On Saturday, May 23rd Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor kicked off the Pohnpei Girl Scouts Pilot Program at the U.S. Embassy Kolonia with His Excellency FSM President David W. Panuelo and First Lady Patricia Edwin. Ambassador Cantor spoke to the girls about her passion to inspire and empower young girls in the FSM and how Girl Scouts work together to improve their communities and shared a sense of curiosity and a belief they could do anything. Ambassador Cantor was a Girl Scout growing up in Puerto Rico.
Girl Scouts began in 1912 when Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low held the first meeting in Savannah, Georgia. She gathered a group of 18 young girls to share what she had learned abroad about outdoor and educational youth programs. From there, Daisy sparked a movement which continues to inspire millions of girls across the world.
The Pohnpei Girl Scouts is led by President Justleen Ezekias; Vice President Luise Sharma; Secretary McClaine Gilmete; and Treasurer Lindsay Lowe. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the program is limited to 30 girls in Pohnpei, but the troop leaders hope to find more adult volunteers to expand the number of participants to all four States in the FSM.
Ambassador Cantor anticipates the program will build courage and confidence and inspire young girls in the FSM to become leaders within their communities.