The Girl Guides of Canada, the Canadian version of “Girl Scouts,” will rename its seven and eight-year-old girl’s branch – The Brownies – after the term has been deemed “racist” and “offensive” to some of its members.
“Brownie” deemed offensive and racist term, Canada’s Girl Scouts will rename branch
The youth branch designated for seven and eight-year-old girls in Canada’s Girl Guides will no longer be designated as “Brownies” after it has been decided that the term is “racist” and “offensive” to some members.
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides are part of the same worldwide association for female-oriented and female-only scouting organizations (see below). Essentially, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides are the same type of group, and they share much of the same terminology, including the rank of Brownie.
The decision reportedly came after input from current and former members, who said the previous name “caused harm and was a barrier to belonging for racialized girls and women,” BBC reported.
The Girl Guides of Canada said the name change is intended to create a more inclusive space for the girls, the Daily Mail reported.
“With this new name we’re showing girls that what they say matters,” a tweet from the Girl Guides stated. “Girl Guides is a place for everyone to belong.”
Nationwide search for new name
After deciding to change the name for the former “Brownie” branch, the Girl Guides conducted a nationwide search involving both youth and adult members of the organization to find the right name. Here’s what they chose.
“Our new branch name is EMBERS!” The Girl Guides of Canada announced on Twitter.
“This wasn’t just about a name or its origin,” said Jill Zelmanovits, CEO, Girl Guides of Canada. “This was about the fact that girls experienced racism and felt that they weren’t welcome in Girl Guides.”
US Girl Scouts still has Brownies
There are six current membership levels of the Girl Scouts of the USA: Daisies (kindergarten and grade 1); Brownies (grades 2-3); Juniors (grades 4-5); Cadets (grades 6-8); Seniors (grades 9-10); Ambassadors (grades 11-12).
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America, which was founded in 1912, was originally segregated by race according to state and local laws. The first African-American Girl Scout troop was founded in 1917, while the first American Indian troop was formed in New York State in 1921. The first troop for Mexican Americans was formed in Houston, Texas in 1922.
Girl guides and Girl Scouts around the world and in the US
Scouting for girls is supported by The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. This is a global association for the female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organizations in 152 countries. Its Western Hemisphere division oversees all the organizations in North and South America. The Girl Guides of Canada was among the founding members of this Association in 1928.
