With the World Scout Jamboree starting later this month please consider sending an email to Boy Scout President Jim Turley and Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh, asking them to speak out against gender discrimination and harassment in Scouting. Below is an email sent by supporter of gender equality, Eagle Scout, Edward “E.E.” Keenan.
Date: Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Subject: From an Eagle Scout
To: effie.delimarkos@scouting.org, turleyjs@gmail.com, michael.surbaugh@scouting.org, myscouting@scouting.org
Dear President Turley and Chief Scout Executive Surbaugh,
I hope this message finds you well.
I live in Kansas City, Missouri, and am an Eagle Scout (Troop 84, Kansas City, Country Club Christian Church). I am also a member of the Order of Mic-o-Say.
I am now 33 years old and have a successful professional practice with my wife. The values scouting taught me are lifelong and have shaped me; I am forever grateful for what scouting did for me.
I've learned of the story of Sydney Ireland, who showed much courage in working to make Scouts accessible to young women. I've also heard that she is being denied the rank of Eagle Scout that she rightfully earned.
I'm writing to ask you to please intervene and ensure that Sydney Ireland gets the honor she has rightfully earned and deserves. The denial of this honor sends a terrible message to young scouts and their parents, and suggests to today's parents that this is not an organization that values young people and their hard work. Scouting is already facing a lot of challenges in our broader culture--parents and kids have many options of activities to get involved in. Why send a hurtful message that will only further damage scouting's reputation?
Scouting is a great movement and I know we can step up and do the right thing that will be fair to Sydney and scouts like her, and will send a message that scouting is a movement that today's kids and their parents should be excited to be part of and that builds and rewards leadership in accordance with American values.
Respectfully,
Edward Keenan
#WOSM #BoyScouts #ScoutsBSA #ChiefScout #ScoutHerIn #LetSydneyInNOW