Episode 5 - Taking Action for a Better World
- Marissa Harley
- Mar 19, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 23, 2020
From world wars to natural disasters, Girl Guides and Scouts are always ready to take action to make our world a better place. In episode 5, Taryn and Marissa talk about how Girl Guides won the war, gave aid in times of disaster, and how you can survive isolation! We also learn about former Red Cross President and Girl Scout, Elizabeth Dole. It turns out she's a big feminist as well, smashing glass ceilings and working to bring equality to women. And if you're looking for a hand-washing song that will last you the recommended minimum of twenty songs, then we have a song for you!
Girl Guides and the War/Natural Disasters
It may or many not surprise you to know that Girl Guides and Scouts have been taking action for a better world ever since their inception in 1910. They've helped win wars and bring aid after disaster.
While Guides took on a more supportive role and were encouraged to take on more gendered roles during the wars, there were also many times when they took on the more unconventional roles to help the war effort. In addition to collecting supplies and making clothing, girls and young women worked behind the scenes as spies, messengers, and relief workers. It is recorded that a group of around 90 Guides worked at MI5 headquarters as messengers of highly classified information, carrying information both in writing and from memory. Sources explain that although boy Scouts originally held these jobs, it was decided that Guides would take over because the girls were more reliable!
And it doesn't stop there. From earthquakes in Japan and Mexico, to the recent Australian bush fires, Guides have always stepped in to help when and where it is needed. They have given up their space, time, and resources to ensure that those affected have what they need and are taken care of.
Read more about Guides at War, how British Girl Guides helped on the home front, and the efforts from our own Canadian Guides.
Consequently, these kinds of events (world wars, natural disasters) have brought about long periods of isolation and inactivity. However, girls and women have always found a way to keep Guiding going, even while they were in hiding, at concentration camps, or refugees in a stranger's home.
How to Survive Isolation
Which brings us to current events. At this point, we're sure that you've all heard about COVID-19 and have been affected by the restrictions put in place by your countries and governing bodies. You are likely sitting at home, practicing social distancing and wondering what you will do to keep yourself busy. Fortunately, we live in the age of the internet and digital engagement is now higher than it's ever been before.
On the podcast, we talk about the many ways in which you can keep yourself busy, distracted, and in communication with people everywhere. We also share a number of Guiding resources to help you keep your activities up, just as the Guides did during the war.
1. Facebook Group: Do at Home - Guiding Program Ideas
This is an incredible group simply because of the sheer number of resources being shared and made available. From documents and activity sheets, to Pinterest boards, Google drives, virtual challenges and tours, this group offers so much to do that we find it hard to believe you'll get bored. Parents and our sister Guiders from around the world are welcome to join!
2. Malta Girl Guides Quarantine Challenge
The Malta Girl Guides are sharing a challenge every other day, which can all be completed from the comfort of your own home! All challenges will be launched via MGG’s Facebook page and after completing the challenges, each participant can share their work through social media (parents or guardians of children who are not yet on social media can share the challenges from their own profile). International participants are welcome, just visit their Facebook or Instagram page!
3. JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet)
Have you ever wanted to attend a world Jamboree? Now you can, completely free and from the comfort of your own home! A special edition of JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) will be held April 3-5, and everyone is invited to join.
"Come together with Scouts & Guides all over the world for virtual campfires, global chats, skill sharing, & more. Stay tuned and consult jotajoti.info for more!"
Elizabeth Dole: She Was a Girl Guide, You Know?
It seems like we're on a bit of a trend here, doesn't it? Dole is now the third Elizabeth that we have featured on this segment (we promise that this is just a coincidence)!
We selected Elizabeth Dole because of her role as president of the Red Cross from 1990-1999, but quickly discovered that she is known for a whole lot more. Similar to our feature from last week (Elizabeth Warren), Dole's career focused largely in politics and law. She worked under six different presidents, and her work included many "firsts" for women. Some highlights include her roles as Secretary of Transportation under Ronald Reagan and Secretary of Labour under George H. W. Bush. Elizabeth also made a presidential run of her own!
She was the first woman to serve in two different Cabinet positions in the administrations of two different presidents, and the first female chair to serve on the National Republican Senatorial Committee. She smashed glass ceilings, working to ensure equality for women and bringing about positive change for everyone.
Campfire: Ging-Gang-Gooli
There are several different accounts of how this song came to be popular around Guiding and Scouting campfires, but one thing we know is that it can be sung by everyone because the lyrics are gibberish!
Some sources credit Lord Baden-Powell with its creation, but others point to any early (1905) Swedish version of the song that has the same tune with a Scandinavian spelling of the gibberish.
Either way, we know it to be a song that all Scouts and Guides around the world can sing together. It's also the perfect length for you to sing while you wash your hands for the recommended 20-30 seconds. And don't worry about memorizing the lyrics, this song will be stuck in your head before you know it!
We hope that you've listened to Episode 5: Taking Action for a Better World, but if not, you should head on over to our podcast page now. You can also catch up on all of our previous episodes, either right here on our website or on your favourite podcast app (Spotify, Apple, Google, Anchor, etc.). You're in isolation anyways, what else are you going to do?!
Make sure that you're subscribed so that you know when a new episode come out. We'd also love it if you'd give us a like, comment, or 5 star rating while you're there. This lets us know that you're listening and loving it!
Follow us @guidesown on Twitter and Instagram for podcast news, discussions, and snippets from behind-the-scenes. If you'd like to contribute to an episode of Guides' Own, send us your ideas for topics, program, campfire songs, etc. via our Contact page.
Wishing you all peace and good health,
Taryn & Marissa
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