May

2012 is the Year of the Girl

Isabel Lara, National Air and Space Museum

This summer marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. The Smithsonian is celebrating with exhibits, programs, a self-guide, discounts, blog posts, and more. One way we are commemorating the centennial is by launching a new, discussion-based website—and we need YOUR help to make it work. Whether you were a Girl Scout or not, we need your story!

New interactive website featuring… you!

The goal is to highlight the work women do across SI, illustrate the ways in which Girl Scouting has inspired us, and to connect with Girl Scouts by offering advice and answers to their questions about the Smithsonian and museum careers.

Participation is open to all SI women, staff, volunteers and interns, including those who were never in Girl Scouts. There are two main prompts—you can answer both or just one. (1) What advice do you have for Girl Scouts interested in a career like yours? (2) How did your experience in Girl Scouts affect you and your career or inspire you today?

Rebecca Miller, National Zoological Park

Participating is easy. Here’s how.

Step 1: Go to this website and create an account: http://disqus.com/profile/signup/email/. All you need is an e-mail address. The tool is called “Disqus.” Having a Disqus account enables you to comment on many different Smithsonian websites and blogs, so it’s nice to have.
Step 2: Go to this website and use your Disqus account to type your answer to one or both of the prompts: http://si.edu/events/meet-Smithsonian-women Don’t forget to identify which part of the Smithsonian you work in. When you are done typing your answer, click “post.”

We’ll be promoting this page to Girl Scouts and troop leaders very soon so please add your story today or tomorrow.

If you have questions or concerns, contact Erin Blasco at blascoe@si.edu. By the way, there’s also a page featuring a few Smithsonian women who have volunteered to answer questions posted by Girl Scouts so let the troop leaders and Girl Scouts in your life know about the site: http://si.edu/events/museum-women

Special thanks are due to Dana Small for creating the website and a round of applause to Camy Clough for spearheading the GS100 efforts for the Smithsonian.