On Wednesday, the board of directors at the Boy Scouts of America announced its unanimous decision to allow girls to join the Cub Scout program and receive the Eagle Scout rank.
The Boy Scouts of America, whose membership has decreased by nearly 20% since 2012, said that the move was prompted by “years of receiving requests from families and girls” to join the organization.
The decision was announced on the International Day of the Girl, which has been celebrated each year since 2012 on Oct. 11.
“I’ve seen nothing that develops leadership skills and discipline like this organization,” Randall Stephenson, BSA’s national board chairman, said in a statement. “It is time to make these outstanding leadership development programs available to girls.”
While many reactions across the internet were positive, the Girl Scouts of America issued a strongly-worded statement, but did not explicitly reference the Boy Scouts’ decision, CNN reports.
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"The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today,” the statement read, “and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need for success.”
Global Citizen campaigns on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, the fifth of which is gender equality. When girls are given greater opportunities to pursue leadership roles, like the Eagle Scout distinction, they are empowered to pursue policies that benefit all people regardless of gender, race, or class. You can take action here.
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Here are some of the varied reactions across social media:
When faced w/ adversity "Our crown may tilt but it will never fall." Every girl matters. Every girls' voice should be heard. 👑👏👏🏾👏🏿 #IDG2017
— Girl Scouts (@girlscouts) October 11, 2017
As an Eagle Scout, I fully support the Boy Scouts decision to be inclusive.https://t.co/VFHVp7BRaP#boyscouts#boyscoutsofamerica#WednesdayWisdom
— Dr. DaShanne Stokes (@DaShanneStokes) October 11, 2017
The #BoyScouts allowing women to achieve highest honor of #EagleScout has got me literally crying tears of joy. #AllOne@boyscouts#Scouts! pic.twitter.com/AoGdZsplfi
— 🔥Adam Eidinger 🌊 (@aeidinger) October 11, 2017
I understand skepticism, but I'm gonna avoid cynicism here. I think this is great news. I support it wholeheartedly. #BoyScouts
— Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) October 11, 2017
I welcome @boyscouts decision to integrate girls in their programs. On #DayoftheGirl, we reaffirm #Scouting commitment to girls empowerment. pic.twitter.com/0t5a2Z6W1t
— Ahmad Alhendawi (@AhmadAlhendawi) October 11, 2017
Today the BSA opens a new chapter in our history w/a unanimous vote to welcome girls to Cub through Eagle Rank. https://t.co/CYl8tU1yJJ
— Mike Surbaugh (@BSAchief) October 11, 2017
How about we drop the whole “boy” and “girl” scouts thing and call them what they are: Kids with knives who know how to set fires. https://t.co/LKwitrwRW2
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) October 12, 2017
My daughter never wanted to do Girl Scouts, but when her brother joined Cub Scouts she went to his meetings and events. Different interests.
— Nancy Meister (@grimalkin65) October 11, 2017
I don't find it awesome, actually...the Girl Scouts are such a strong, powerful place for so many girls. I'd hate to see that diluted.
— Erin Altman (@AltmanErin) October 11, 2017
My daughter REALLY wants to make a pinewood derby car, which I think is wonderful.https://t.co/UgWNeHhSSs
— Spencer Kellis (@spencerkellis) October 11, 2017
Thrilled to hear girls will be able to become Eagle Scouts, but personally I'd still choose to be a Pawnee Goddess. pic.twitter.com/HpEDaYqbbp
— President Knope (@POTUSKnope) October 11, 2017