As you will have seen Girlguiding has launched their
Real Role Models campaign.
Girlguiding UK has assembled an array of famous former
members – including Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds MBE and journalist
Kate Silverton – to pay tribute to the skills, confidence and self-belief they
gained through guiding.
The organisation has also launched ten inspirational videos
featuring successful women from a range of careers and backgrounds, to inspire
girls to think more widely about their futures and show them that anything is
possible.
With the superb success that Team GB’s women have achieved
at the London 2012 Olympic Games, there’s never been a better time to inspire girls
and young women to be all that they can be – especially as recent research
found many aged seven to 21 struggled to name a single famous sportswoman prior
to London 2012. When asked which female sportswomen they could name, one respondent
said: “That one in I’m A Celebrity…Fatima
Whitbread”.
Britain’s sportswomen have made front-page news throughout
the Olympic Games and many have become household names and – no doubt – role
models, including former guiding members Victoria Pendleton, who won gold and
silver in track cycling, and Lizzie Armitstead, who won silver in the cycling
road race.
Earlier this year, Girlguiding UK’s ‘Girls’ Attitudes Explored…Role Models’ report showed
girls suffering from an alarming lack of positive female role models, resulting
in a narrow range of aspirations for their futures.
One the most shocking findings was that many girls dismissed
entire industries and potential careers as ‘jobs for boys’, at a time when
youth unemployment has exceeded 20 per cent.
Inspirational women
Girlguiding UK spent the day with ten inspirational women in
a wide range of careers and industries, to show girls that no career path is
out of reach.
Alex Culvin has played football at the highest level in
England and the Netherlands, and is about to begin a Master’s degree.
Alex, who plays at left-back for Bristol Academy, said: “I
can’t explain the importance for females to have role models, I can’t put into
words how important it is.
“It’s not just in sport, it’s how you understand the things
they go through to become that person. It’s all the challenges and adversity
they face.”
Broadcast journalist Beccy Meehan covers financial news from
around the world and presents several shows on CNBC.
Beccy said: “It’s so important to have a role model, it helps
you to form your own ambition. It’s quite reassuring and motivating to see
someone that has achieved what you are trying to achieve, to see what other
women have tried to do.
“It’s a shame that reality TV [stars] and models have become
the women with the highest profile in the media. When I was growing up there
were a lot more positive women role models, and I hope that comes back again.”
Famous former members on what guiding means to them
A number of well-known former guiding members have spoken about
how being a member had a positive on their lives, and equipped them with the
skills and confidence that they still rely on today.
Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer and former Brownie Ellie
Simmonds MBE will be competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Ellie said: “I
always enjoyed Brownies when I was younger. It was tremendous fun every time
with a seemingly never-ending range of different activities to do, allowing us
to have new experiences and develop new skills.
“It was a place where
we began to learn to work as a team, developing the skill of taking
responsibility for ourselves and others, while supporting and helping those
around us.”
Kate Silverton is a television journalist and presenter, and
a former Guide.
Kate said: “I loved
bonding with my friends as we camped out - usually with the rain falling
outside – but being happy that we were self-sufficient and always 'on an
adventure'.
“The experiences I
had during my girl guiding days have stood me in great stead for my job today
as a broadcast journalist and I look back on those days with great fondness and
thanks for what I learned.”
