Girl Guides Celebrate mark 110th anniversary

by Eldonté Samuel

The Girl Guides Association of St Vincent and the Grenadines marked its its 110th anniversary of existence earlier year. And Chief Commissioner, Laura Browne, told SEARCHLIGHT that the Association exemplifies excellence within the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts due to its adherence to core values, and its modernisation through technology.

Browne characterised the Association as a model for other organisations worldwide to draw inspiration from, attributing its successes to the consistent application of its guidelines and core principles, while also integrating technology in its training programmes through the use of social media.

This move by the Association was made because they understood that what was practised in the early 20th century would not resonate with the ladies of today.

“We maintain the guidelines. We do not settle for mediaocracy,” Browne remarked. As a part of this year’s milestone, a reflection ceremony was held at the Barrouallie Sqaure on Saturday, September,21, 2024 during which some of its early contributors were honoured. Approximately 500 members attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Joy Davis-Haynes, a District Commissioner. The attendees listened to a keynote address delivered by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rochelle Forde, who also has been a member of the St. Vincent and Grenadines Girl Guides Association, and subsequently served on the World Association Body and the Western Hemisphere Region.

Past member Rochelle Forde (left) along with a member of the Girl Guides Association

Just like Forde, many girls have gone through the Association, and went on to hold political positions. Some also became entrepreneurs; others are part of the public service; and many more can be found in several other spheres of life.

In addition to the ceremony held in Barrouallie, the girls were engaged in hikes, played an active role in the October breast cancer awareness month of activities; and held a campfire lime on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Headquarters.

The Association facilitates regional and international trips for its members, managing to navigate financial constraints as a voluntary organisation, with the majority of its funding sourced from member subscriptions, fundraising events, and the rental of the Guides Headquarters. The building is slated to undergo a significant face lift later this year.

Guiding in the St. Vincent and Grenadines began on April 17, 1914 by Arthur Cox, an English Methodist Minister. The movement was revived in 1927 in Kingstown, and the first Brownie and Ranger units were created in 1931. In 1983, the UK Guide Association granted the St. Vincent and Grenadines Girl Guides Association self-governance.

MEMBERS of the Brownie Guides at Barrouallie

Membership, drawn from communities on the Windward end of the mainland has boosted the numbers, and Browne said initiatives are underway to pursue similar increases in Leeward communities. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is said to be one of the few nations that has never faced suspension or removal from the World Association Body, achieving membership in just three years.

Commissioner Browne acknowledged the contributions of Gwendolyn Russell, who worked diligently to secure the establishment of a local Association. SEARCHLIGHT reached out to Russell, who shared that attaining membership in the World Association was not challenging, as the local association was adhering to the principle of “good guiding in your country,” which she elaborated as “keeping up your promises and your laws”.

“You have to be able to show what a Girl Guide is, what we do and the training,” she pointed out.

Russell held the position of Island Commissioner for St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 1976 to 1994, and served as Chief Commissioner from 1984 to 1991. She retired as President in September, 2011 after serving in that role since 2003.

She said she became a member of the Association in 1951, and conveyed her pride in the organisation and its progress over the years. Though retired, Russel said she continues to provide guidance whenever possible through Browne, who she said is performing admirably in her capacity as Chief Commissioner.

The SVG Girl Guides Association boasts a membership exceeding 2000, and is structured into four distinct levels. Girls may be recruited starting at the age of 5 to 8 as Bim Bim Guides, a term derived from a baby mango; 8 to 10 as Brownies; 10 to 16 as Guiders/Assistant Guiders; 16 to 18 as Rangers; and thereafter, individuals aged 18 and above can be trained to become leaders and assistant commissioners.