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Toni: Turning a Head Start into a Lifetime of Service
September 27, 2026
“I am thankful to Girl Scouts for giving me a head start.”
For Toni, that head start began in the 1960s, when a shy first grader at St. Ann’s grade school joined a Brownie troop with girls from her neighborhood.
She stayed in Girl Scouts through 10th grade, finding confidence and self-esteem along the way. She loved earning badges, crafting, cooking and camping; even if it seemed to rain almost every time she went to camp. She still couldn’t wait to go back.
Her Girl Scout experience was shaped by women who showed up for her. Mrs. Margaret Novak and Mrs. Raydelle Meehan led her troop through elementary school and eighth grade, creating opportunities for girls at a time when there were few female-centered organizations or mentoring programs in her neighborhood. Her Cadet leader, Marta Nieves, became another important role model.
Years later, Toni’s Girl Scout journey came full circle when she was assigned to Girls Inc. for a college internship and discovered that Marta was her supervisor. Both went on to earn Master of Social Work degrees, and eventually worked together serving the Latino community.
That spirit of service has stayed with Toni throughout her life.
Today, she is a licensed mental health therapist and a longtime mentor and community volunteer. Since 2006, she has been a Teammate mentor and serves on the Teammates Mentoring Program board for the OPS Chapter. She also serves on the board of the United Latino Endowment Scholarship.
Toni says Girl Scouts reinforced the values her family instilled in her: respecting others, contributing to the community, and lifting others up.
From a shy Brownie learning to build confidence to a woman who has spent decades mentoring and serving her community, Toni’s story is a beautiful example of how the lessons we learn early can stay with us for a lifetime.
Girl Scouts gave Toni a head start. She has spent her life helping others find theirs.
100 years. Countless stories. One lasting legacy.
