Local Girl Scouts Katherine B. and Renee M. Recognized for Lifesaving and Health Equity Projects
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) recently honored 28 Inglewood-area Girl Scouts for earning the prestigious Gold Award, with two standout honorees—Katherine B. of Hawthorne and Renee M. of Los Angeles—leading impactful health-related initiatives. These projects underscore the role young leaders play in tackling urgent community needs.
The Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, challenges recipients to dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to identify and address a significant issue, collaborate with local leaders, and create sustainable solutions. This year’s awardees contributed over 14,720 hours collectively—demonstrating a shared commitment to making the world a better place.
Katherine
Katherine B., a Harvard Westlake School graduate, focused on lifesaving training in underserved communities. Motivated by the urgent need for preparedness in sudden cardiac emergencies, she spearheaded a CPR and AED certification program for teenagers. Her project trained over 50 teens, equipping them with not only vital skills but the confidence to respond to medical crises and potentially save lives.
Meanwhile, Renee M., a recent
Renee
Eagle Rock High School graduate, addressed disparities within the national stem cell registry. Her project combined a compelling video documentary featuring firsthand stories with community outreach. Through registration drives and speaking engagements, Renee personally registered over 250 individuals, directly expanding the diversity of the registry and improving life-saving match opportunities for minority patients.
Theresa Edy Kiene, GSGLA’s chief executive officer, commended the efforts of these young women, saying, “These young women are not just imagining change—they’re making it happen. Through confidence and compassion, they’re solving real-world problems and becoming the leaders our world needs.”
This year’s Gold Award Celebration will be held on June 1 at the Pasadena Civic Center, where the achievements of all 28 local recipients will be recognized. Their projects span topics from environmental conservation to mental health awareness, each demonstrating the Girl Scouts’ mission to develop girls of courage, confidence, and character.
Katherine and Renee’s work comes at a time of heightened awareness about health equity and emergency readiness. Local media have noted the growing importance of community-based health initiatives and the need for equitable access to medical resources. In this context, the projects of these two young leaders offer practical, immediate impacts—empowering others to act and addressing gaps in health education and access.
For Katherine and Renee, the Gold Award marks more than personal achievement; it’s a testament to the power of youth leadership to create real change. As the community gathers to honor them, their stories stand as an inspiring reminder: positive change begins when young people see a problem—and take action.
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