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Emma: From World Thinking Day to a Career in Science and Advocacy
September 04, 2026
For Emma, Girl Scouts was more than a childhood experience. It became the foundation for the woman, scientist, and advocate she is today.
From her earliest years as a Brownie, Emma was surrounded by women who modeled the courage, responsibility, and strength at the heart of the Girl Scout Law. Girl Scouts gave her a place to ask big questions, dream big dreams, and turn those ideas into action.
One of the experiences that first inspired her to think globally was World Thinking Day. Connecting with Girl Scouts and volunteers from different cultures opened her eyes to a world much bigger than her own community.
That curiosity eventually led Emma to the Omaha Girl Scout Advisory Group, where she discovered an opportunity to put those early lessons into action. She joined a delegation of 15 Girl Scouts from across the country advocating alongside United Nations officials, supporting girls in STEM and working toward Sustainable Development Goal #5 for gender equality.
Even when the COVID-19 pandemic meant participating virtually, Emma continued that work for two years. And when the delegation ended, she wasn't ready to stop.
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Emma brought her Girl Scout experiences with her, joining Model United Nations and eventually visiting the United Nations Headquarters in New York City—turning a Girl Scout experience into a college opportunity and a growing passion for advocacy.
Today, Emma is pursuing a PhD in biomedical sciences, and she still draws on the skills she developed through Girl Scouts. The confidence to speak up. The ability to turn an idea into action. The courage to advocate for what she believes in.
From a Brownie learning about the world at World Thinking Day to a scientist advocating for science and research, Emma's journey is a powerful reminder of what happens when Girl Scouts gives girls the opportunity to dream bigger.
Girl Scouts doesn't just prepare girls for what's next. Sometimes, it helps them discover what "next" can be.
100 years. Countless stories. One lasting legacy.
