Girls from Troop 5450 from Suffolk took part and served as “Girl Scout ambassadors” during the annual Girl Scout Legislative day.

The day helps raise awareness of the issues important to girls and young women and helps educate legislators on what Girl Scouts are doing to address issues and prepare girls for the future. Another important goal is to help demonstrate to policymakers that Girl Scouts is a resource and authority on issues affecting girls.

Girls and volunteers helped host a milk-and-cookies reception in the General Assembly Building and were later introduced in the House and Senate. Part of the day’s schedule included a tour of the governor’s home, where they were greeted by Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who told the girls she is a Girl Scout alumna.

Tracy Keller of the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast joined other council CEOs in the afternoon to meet with Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones and Virginia Secretary of Administration Nancy Rodrigues.

Rodrigues, who lives in Surry and is a former Girl Scout, discussed ways to help make policymakers and community leaders more aware of the leadership aspect of Girl Scouting and was eager to hear how women in government could help mentor the next generation of leaders.

“We’re more than cookies, crafts and camps,” Keller said. “We’re about helping girls build courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place. When we accomplish that, we accomplish giving the world more responsible and caring leaders.”