Girl Guides announce new name for Brownies, saying old moniker caused harm to racialized girls (2024)
TORONTO -
The Girl Guides of Canada has renamed its Brownies branch the “Embers.”
The organization said Wednesday that the new name applies immediately to its program for girls aged seven and eight in a bid to become more inclusive and welcoming.
CEO Jill Zelmanovits said the previous name dissuaded some racialized girls and women from joining the outdoor adventure and activity group and that members embraced the chance to change that.
“We were really thrilled with the support from within the organization, and especially that girls understood this change,” said Zelmanovits.
“When you say to a girl, you know, at a very basic level, this name makes some girls feel like they don't belong, their automatic reaction is: 'You should change it.'... What we thought might have been a difficult conversation was not a difficult conversation for them. For them it was a very automatic response.”
Zelmanovits said current and former members chose “Embers” over “Comets” in an online vote conducted Nov. 29 to Dec. 13.
She added it will take several months to update various websites, marketing materials and resources and that the name will be fully adopted by Sept. 1.
Other branches of the Guides include Sparks for those aged five and six; Guides, who are nine to 11; Pathfinders who are 12 to 14; and Rangers who are 15 to 17.
The Guides said in November they would change the name of the seven and eight-year-old branch after hearing from current and former members that the previous name caused harm and was a barrier to belonging for racialized girls and women.
Zelmanovits also acknowledged the move addresses one “specific concern” and that there “are always more things that organizations can do.”
For one thing, she described the Girl Guides of Canada “as overwhelmingly a non-racialized organization.”
“It's something that the organization and the board of directors is very conscious of, and obviously (our) mission of and vision - the vision being a better world by girls - (is) we want as many girls as possible to be involved in that, and we want to have girls from every background involved in that.”
Although boosting members was not the goal of the name change, Zelmanovits said they've already heard some families have signed up for the first time because of the move.
She said she's inspired by the eagerness of the Guides' young members to take action when they see the need.
“Sometimes I wish adults could take a page from that, because it is a great reaction to just say: Well, if it's causing harm, you should change it,” said Zelmanovits.
“If we just took their lead I think we could probably solve a lot of problems in the world.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2023.
Girl Guides of Canada is the largest organization for women and girls in Canada. The membership is organized into different groups according to age. These are Sparks (ages 5 and 6), Embers (known as Brownies before 2023) (ages 7 and 8), Guides (ages 9 – 11), Pathfinders (ages 12 – 14), and Rangers (15-17+) .
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Girl_Guides_of_Canada
has renamed its Brownies branch after current and former members said the name caused them harm and prevented or delayed their decision to join. Embers — the new branch name for 7- and 8-year-olds announced on Wednesday -- signifies "potential that's just waiting to be unleashed."
In the 1960s, Brownies promised: “I promise that I will to do my best to do my duty to God and to serve the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Brownie Guide Law”. This was the first time Brownies were fully integrated into the guiding family, and the promise to keep the “Brownie Guide law” reflects this.
Girl Guides is a secular organization that is open to all girls and women regardless of religion, race, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status or ability.
The Girl Guides of Canada has renamed the "Brownies" branch - who are now called the "Embers" - after the old name was deemed too racially divisive. "Embers are full of potential and when they work together, they can ignite a powerful flame!" the Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) tweeted on Wednesday.
Brownies, originally called Rosebuds, were first organised by Lord Baden-Powell in 1914 to complete the range of age groups for girls in Scouting. They were first run as the youngest group in the Guide Association by Agnes Baden-Powell, Lord Baden-Powell's younger sister.
Brownies were originally called Rosebuds and were founded by Lord Baden-Powell after the younger sisters of the Guides and Scouts showed an interest in joining the Guide Association. The Girl Guides Gazette said that Rosebuds wore a dark blue skirt, knitted jersey, cap or tam and the Rosebud Brooch.
Rather, it was made based on the fact that past and present members who were Black, Indigenous and other people of color said the name made them "feel extremely uncomfortable, prompted teasing and racist comments and was a barrier to feeling that they belong at Girl Guides."
11, the organization announced Brownies will now be called Embers. Embers is the program for seven and eight-year-old girls. Parents whose kids are in Girl Guides received an email explaining the change.
The Girl Guides of Canada has renamed the "Brownies" branch - who are now called the "Embers" - after the old name was deemed too racially divisive. "Embers are full of potential and when they work together, they can ignite a powerful flame!" the Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) tweeted on Wednesday.
Girlguiding is open to girls from all backgrounds and beliefs. This includes girls with no faith or who have a non-religious belief system. It's important to think in advance about how you will make sure that girls from all faiths, and none, will be included in your unit.
All levels were changed to have Girl Scouts at the start of their name, e.g. "Girl Scout Brownies" instead of "Brownie Girl Scouts", and levels were changed to be by grade only instead of by age or grade.
Young people who are boys or are non-binary and were recorded as male at birth are not able to join Girlguiding because Girlguiding is a girl-only space.
Brownies become a member of a Six such as Badger, Fox, Mole, Squirrel, Hedgehog and Rabbit and follow a programme called the Brownie Adventure. The name reflects the world of exciting opportunities, challenges and fun that is Brownies.
The Brownie looks into the mirror and says “Myself”. The leader pins on her pin. When all the Brownies have received their pins, say the Promise: On my honor, I will try To serve God and my country, To help people at all times And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
"I promise that I will do my best, to be true to myself and develop my beliefs, to serve the King and my community, to help other people and to keep the (Brownie) Guide law." We do have a shorter version for our youngest group, Rainbows.
HISTORY OF THE GIRL SCOUT PROMISE 1913 (How Girls Can Help their Country) Each girl must promise on her honor to try to do three things: 1. To do your duty to God and your country 2. To help people at all times 3. To obey the Laws of the Scouts 1916 (How Girls Can Help their Country) "My" replaces "your" 1.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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