Robin McGraw, Jessica Minhas, and Anna Maria Chavez Host Girl Scouts of the USA's 2015 National Young Women of Distinction Event

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Along with special guest hosts and lifetime Girl Scouts Robin McGraw and Jessica Minhas, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) CEO Anna Maria Chávez will host the 2015 National Young Women of Distinction event on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. The event, which will take place at Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor, New York, and will be livestreamed, will honor 10 incredible young women who were chosen to receive the highest Girl Scout honor because their Gold Award projects demonstrated extraordinary leadership, have had measureable impact and sustainability, and addressed a local, national, and/or global issue.  

"We are excited to bring to light the issues our 2015 National Young Women of Distinction addressed in order to earn their Gold Award," said Anna Maria Chávez, who will present the award to each recipient. "We are proud to livestream presentations from each recipient, so their powerful projects can inspire fellow Girl Scouts and families across the country and experience what promises to be an unforgettable event. Through our tradition of Girl Scouts' Highest Awards, which turn 100 next year, a century of girls have had the opportunity to discover their strengths, realize their passions, and take action to solve community problems and truly make the world a better place."

Robin McGraw—philanthropist, entrepreneur, television personality, two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, Girl Scout volunteer, and National Celebrity Spokesperson for GSUSA—is deeply committed to her mission of inspiring women to lead their best lives. A daily presence on the Dr. Phil show since its inception, she speaks often on issues that affect women and children.

"It is an honor and a privilege to take part in recognizing the brilliance displayed by this year's honorees through their Gold Award projects," said Robin McGraw, who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the 4:00pm EST Awards Ceremony.  "The initiative shown by these bright young leaders is truly inspiring.  I've no doubt these are girls who will change the world."  

Jessica Minhas is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of the nonprofit I'll Go First, will be hosting the Take Action Event, at 6:30pm EST, during which the girls will present their Gold Award projects and field questions from Jessica.

Through her role at I'll Go First, which is dedicated to providing hope, healing, and purpose to survivors of trauma and abuse, Jessica leverages media and technology to provide remote psychosocial care for marginalized trauma populations throughout the developing world.

"For [my grandfather], it wasn't just a good decision to enroll me in a troop, it was a life-changing one. Growing up, my troop leaders and members were my lifeline, and I'm still close with them to this day. I'm honored and humbled to be a part of this evening—it's returning the blessing my grandfather offered me so many years ago." 

GSUSA will welcome other special guests, including Frances Hesselbein, former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. During her 14 year tenure, Frances established the Girl Scout Daisy program for girls in grades K–1, and she currently serves as the president and CEO of the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute. Also attending will be Pamela Nix, executive director of Kappa Delta Foundation, which continues to make good on its commitment to girls by providing $50,000 in scholarships to this year's National Young Women of Distinction; and Girl Scout councils and Girl Scouts from across the country.

Sign up for the livestream of the 2015 National Young Women of Distinction event today—and to learn more about GSUSA's exceptional National Young Women of Distinction, please visit the Girl Scouts of the USA Press Room.

Earning the Gold Award and receiving scholarships are just two of the incredible opportunities girls have access to through Girl Scouts. To join Girl Scouts or find out more about the Gold Award, please visit www.girlscouts.org/join.

We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.8 million strong—2 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents. Today we continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org or www.girlscouts.org/NYWOD.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA

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