Dear Girl Scouts of Western Ohio,

We write this letter with heavy hearts but firm resolve. Some of us wore the same uniforms, tied the same neckerchiefs, and walked beside our friends on camping trips, service projects, and neighborhood meetings. In the Girl Scouts, we learned more than how to tie knots or earn badges; we learned how to be brave, how to be kind, and how to stand up for what we know is right.

We’re devastated that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, a place that should be an ally in nurturing young girls, has chosen to sever its ties with you, its Girl Scouts. It’s not just a small change; it’s a decision that impacts thousands of girls across our community. But we want you to know—many of us who grew up in these same church basements and parish halls stand with you, and we want you to know how profoundly this decision misses the point of what both Girl Scouts and the teachings of Jesus Christ are truly about.

Since 1912, the Girl Scouts have helped millions of girls find their courage, their voice, and their purpose. The organization now includes 3.7 million members, girls and women who believe in the promise of service, sisterhood, and self-growth. The Archdiocese asks you to abandon Girl Scouts for American Heritage Girls, an organization founded in West Chester in 1995. But there’s no comparison—the depth, legacy, and commitment of the Girl Scouts are like a 100-year-old tree, one that has weathered storms, provided shelter, and grown ever stronger. Why replace a mighty tree with a sapling?

The Girl Scout Promise and Law are more than words—they are commitments we made and values we strive to live by each day. “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.” This isn’t just an oath; it’s a call to action. It is the reason we get up and volunteer, the reason we find strength in sisterhood, and the reason we lead with courage.

To you, young girls, this promise is powerful. It gives you the tools to navigate life’s challenges with integrity and kindness. It teaches you that you have the power to help those in need, to care for the Earth, and to stand up when others are treated unjustly.

For those of us who grew up Catholic, we remember how Jesus taught us to love, include, and protect those who are vulnerable. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus welcomed those who were cast out; he lifted up the powerless. He reminded us to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), and that what we do “for the least of these,” we do for him (Matthew 25:40). Jesus didn’t ask us to build walls or isolate those who need guidance and love. Instead, he urged us to embrace them with kindness, with generosity, and with an open heart.

The decision by the Archdiocese doesn’t align with these teachings. It is built on judgments and fears, placing ideology over inclusivity, creating divisions where there should be unity. Jesus never asked for our obedience to him to exclude others. Instead, he urged us to love all, to build communities where all can flourish, and to act with humility.

It's important to note that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) does not share the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's stance. The USCCB has engaged in dialogue with the Girl Scouts of the USA to foster mutual understanding and provide guidance to Catholic leaders and parents. This collaboration underscores a commitment to working together for the benefit of young women across the nation. 

To leave the Girl Scouts isn’t just to leave a club—it’s to walk away from opportunities that change lives. The Girl Scouts provide scholarships, access to civic engagement, and a network of leaders and mentors that open doors to your future. Being a Girl Scout shapes you into a person who serves others, who fights for justice, and who values truth. It gives you real skills: how to speak up, how to solve problems, how to lead. These lessons stay with you forever.

We are writing to each and every one of you who is questioning what this decision means. Know this: no organization, no one leader, and no single opinion can take away the values, lessons, or friendships you’ve gained through Girl Scouts. Remember, you are part of a long legacy, and nothing can break the bond of sisterhood we share.

Let the Girl Scout Promise remind you to serve others and to live courageously. Let the words of Jesus remind you to welcome others with love and compassion. And let the voice of your own heart remind you to stand proud of what Girl Scouts has given you.

We Stand With You.

We invite all Girl Scouts, former scouts, friends, and community members to stand with us in support of your journey. Let this letter be a sign that you are not alone, and that we believe in the mission of the Girl Scouts, its promise, and its power to create the leaders of tomorrow.

______________________

And finally a message to Archbishop Schnurr, 

Archbishop Schnurr, we ask you to reconsider this decision, one that could change the futures of countless girls in our community, denying them a space where they learn to lead, to serve, and to grow. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has chosen a path of dialogue with the Girl Scouts, working to build bridges, not walls. They have recognized the positive impact Girl Scouts have on young women, encouraging character, faith, and responsibility. We ask you to reflect on this choice and the burdens it imposes on young women who stand to lose mentorship, opportunities, and support.

In the late 90s, many of us wore rubber bracelets stamped with “WWJD” – What Would Jesus Do? We wore them with pride, a constant reminder of Jesus’ compassion, inclusivity, and courage to stand with those who need it most. Jesus didn’t exclude; he welcomed those on the margins, lifting them up rather than pushing them away. He taught, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40) and “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Jesus cared for the vulnerable, not by judgment, but by love and example.

 

When others wanted to keep people away, Jesus included them. He embraced the Samaritan woman, restored the outcast, fed the hungry, and shielded the sinner from condemnation. Jesus didn’t reject those seeking goodness; he inspired and lifted them up. He told us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

What would Jesus do, Archbishop Schnurr? He would look with love on the children whose dreams are built through Girl Scouts and find another way. He would not take this away from them.

What would Jesus do, Archbishop Schnurr? Certainly not this.

With strength and solidarity,

Girl Scouts, Former Girl Scouts, Parents, Catholics of Western Ohio and those who support them