Girl Scout from Puyallup to teach others about advocacy

For 15-year-old Rebecca Patterson, Girl Scouts is about more than just annual cookie sales.

Patterson was recently selected as one of 24 individuals to serve on the organization’s Global Action Team, a group of girls in grades nine to 12 who will spend a year researching violence toward women and its effects. Patterson’s group project is a Global Action Summit for girls in sixth to eighth grade, where they teach the importance of advocacy and global competency.

“Girls are hungry for unique experiences that will set them apart from others on applications for post high school opportunities,” said Girl Experience director Julie Wendell.

Patterson, a sophomore at Rogers High School and a member of Girl Scout Troop 41100, is hungry for those unique experiences. She’s also going to Peru this summer through the Girl Scouts’ Destinations program.

“Becca isn’t afraid to apply and go for things,” said her mother, Peggy Patterson. “She’s taken advantage of everything that Girl Scouts offer. She’s had to prioritize her time, and she makes the Global Summit a priority.”

When Patterson applied for the Global Action Team, she had no idea how competitive of a process it was to work alongside Girl Scouts from all over Western Washington on the team.

“I was shocked to hear 20 girls got dropped,” she said.

The Global Action Team will have three weekend retreats to plan for the Global Action Summit in June. One already occurred in January, a second is on the table for March, and the third one is set for May.

“It gives them an opportunity to get to know girls that they wouldn’t ordinarily meet,” Wendell said.

The Global Action Summit is really about high school girls informing and setting the example for the next generation of girls in middle school, Wendell says.

“I really like working with girls that are younger than me,” Patterson said. “I feel really close to the team, and it’s great to be around girls that are passionate about the same topic I am.”

Patterson is a proud member of her Puyallup Girl Scout troop.

“In my troop, we’re all best friends and a super tight knit,” she said. “I like that Girl Scouts is focused on being outdoors and learning how to be an adult. There’s so many more opportunities than cookies.”

In addition to her involvement in Girl Scouts, Patterson is involved with Rogers High’s Key Club, Honors Society and on the gymnastics team.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Girl Scout from Puyallup to teach others about advocacy."