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Girl Scout Inks Women’s History Book Ahead of GEMfest

By Daniel Langhorne
Last summer, Anne Chen ’24 decided to combine her passions for Girl Scouts and women’s history in a way that would empower other girls.

Anne recently published “How to Make HERSTORY,” an activity book on women’s history that will be given to middle school students attending her GEMfest workshop at Sage Hill on Saturday, March 18.

After 10 years in the Girl Scouts, Anne was inspired by Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low to tell the story of female trailblazers, activists, and pioneers throughout history. She features Florence Nightingale, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, Hollywood’s first Chinese American movie star Anna May Wong, Vietnam Veterans Memorial designer Maya Lin and astronaut Sally Ride.

“I think I was in awe while I was researching. Once I got into it, I found this momentum that kept me going,” Anne said.

Over summer break, Anne completed the bulk of her research and writing in two weeks. A Romanian artist worked with her to illustrate the activity book printed through Kindle Publishing.

Besides her work to coordinate GEMfest, Anne is pursuing the Girl Scouts’ highest honor, a Gold Award, given to 11th and 12th graders who develop and carry out lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and the world. She thought telling the stories of these women in an activity book accessible for girls would empower them to chase their own dreams.

“It’s hard to imagine not being a Girl Scout because I’ve known these girls for so many years, and the moms who have helped us throughout our childhood. It’s been really important to me because it’s taught me about service and empowering others,” Anne said.

On March 18, Anne expects to teach a workshop of up to 25 middle schoolers about these powerful women in history while participating in fun challenges. Each participant will receive a copy of Anne’s activity book to take home.

“Anne has been an integral member of our GEMfest Service Learning group this year. Not only is she helping organize a massive event, but she has published this incredible activity book and will lead her own workshop that day. Anne is a thoughtful and humble leader, and I can't wait to see what her future holds,” said Sanan Shirinian, director of The Hamoui Family Sage Center.

Girl Scout troop leader Angela Copley said it’s been an honor to witness Anne grow and learn from elementary school through many Girl Scout activities. She was thrilled to hear Anne’s plan to pursue the Gold Award.

“She has really shown her outstanding leadership and innovation with the publication of her ‘How to Make HERSTORY’ activity book for middle schoolers and the workshop she will be facilitating at GEMfest,” Copley said. “As a leader and mentor of young women, watching Anne fly on her own is such a rewarding experience. I could not be prouder of the amazing and talented young women she has become.”

To learn more about GEMfest 2023 guest speakers or buy tickets, please visit gemfestoc.com.
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Sage Hill School

Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.