Please continue to add your voice and send emails to the Boy Scout leaders below. Ask the leaders to allow Sydney to join now. Thank you Jim Nedelka for your powerful email to President Stephenson. Randall.Stephenson@scouting.org; pr@scouting.org; myscouting@scouting.org; michael.surbaugh@scouting.org; Charles.Dahlquist@scouting.org Dear President Stephenson, Chief Scout Executive Surbaugh, and Commissioner Dahlquist, Gentlemen, I write you today not only as a longtime friend of Sydney Ireland but as a former Cub Scout, WEBELO and Boy Scout. When my son became old enough for Scouting, I proudly followed my father's example and served as his Cubmaster, graduating with him to serve as his Scoutmaster. During my son's time as Cub more than 25 years ago, long before Sydney was born, our Cub Pack held an annual Pinewood Derby. Come Race Day, when all the families gathered and everyone saw the wonderful home-built track, all the Cubs' siblings ooh-ed and aaah-ed and the spectacular craftsmanship and paint job crafted by our parents' team. Additionally, their siblings wondered why they weren't invited to race their own cars. The loudest voices belonged to the Cubs' sisters. Gentlemen, more than 20 years later, the memory of these young women's protestations about why they couldn't participate is still vivid. When told it was for Cubs-only, they asked, "Why?" When told Cub Scouts were for boys only, again they asked, "Why?" Gentlemen, I am here to attest that feminism in the years on the cusp of, and carrying on into. the 21st Century - more directly, the drive for female equality - began/begins at an early age here in New York City. As Sydney Ireland has shown, young women are very capable of proposing change with rationale solution(s.) For my time as Cubmaster, the solution the young ladies proposed was a Home Run. The following year, our Pack ran a "Cubs Only" tournament and a "Family Only" tournament. On Race Day, everything went really well; without any controversy, we were even able to stage an impromptu "All Star Event" which allowed the girls to race their brothers; yes, some of the girls prevailed. Aside from providing our Pack's families a wonderful family experience, the whole "siblings chapter" provided our Cubs with a "real world life lesson" in how a potentially sticky situation can be resolved with some common sense. I mentioned above that I've know Sydney Ireland and her family for more than a decade. They attend the same church as my wife and I. Her dad and I served together for many years successfully working for the full inclusion and acceptance of members of the LGBTQ community within our denomination, including ordination as officers and clergy as well as in marriage. As I witnessed with my daughter, Abie, her fellow Cub Scout 'sisters" so many years ago, all that Sydney wanted was a chance to compete with the boys on a equal level; in Sydney's case, she wants to earn her Eagle Scout Award just like her big brother, Bryan, has done. She spread the word and won many over to her side, including NOW members and the Presbytery of New York City of the Presbyterian Church (United States of America.); I've attached a few photos from her presentation to the Presbytery. If the Girls Scouts' equivalent rank- the Gold Award - had the same gravitas as Eagle Scout, but the Eagle Scout Award's benefits are unparalleled by the GSA. It was good watching Sydney, who grew up watching others stand up for the rights of those people who've been previously-denied access, use what she learned to bring change to the BSA. Sydney turned her efforts beyond herself for the betterment of the entire BSA. Think about how magnanimous a gesture it would be for your organization to provide an early welcome and early admission to the young lady that helped change your organization's mind about girls becoming members. Sydney has already been accepted in membership in Boy Scout Troops in South Africa (well ahead of the recent decree that women are now allowed to drive in that country!) and in Canada. Think of the upside for the BSA by granting Sydney Ireland official membership earlier - perhaps at Christmastime 2017? - than making her wait until 2019, the BSA's planned welcome date for girls. With Sydney Ireland officially in the ranks and on her quest for Eagle, think how she would serve the BSA as an Ambassador to girls and young women, tracking her progress towards becoming the BSA's first female Eagle Scout? Sincerely, Jim Nedelka