Girl Scouts Week 2026: Peoples UCC Celebrates 57 Years of Service

March 9, 2026

The historically African American Girl Scout troops at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. are celebrating 57 years of service during National Girl Scouts Week. What started in 1969 as a small playgroup called the Jumping Jills, founded by Shirley Moseley and Dorothy Pierce with 10-12 girls, has expanded into eight troops serving 84 girls with 18 adult volunteers. The program has created multi-generational bonds, with Moseley's great-granddaughter now participating in the same troops her grandmother helped establish.

Who is affected

84 current Girl Scout members across eight troops at Peoples UCC
18 adult volunteer leaders at Peoples UCC
The Moseley family across four generations, including 85-year-old co-founder Shirley Moseley and her 16-year-old great-granddaughter Shayla Wright
Dr. Maureen Sullivan, troop coordinator and 20-year Daisy troop leader
Kim R. Ford, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital and Peoples UCC alumna
Yasmine Arrington Brooks, 33-year-old alumna and founder of ScholarCHIPS
Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ community members
Girls across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (DMV region)

What action is being taken

Six girls received the "My Promise, My Faith" pin on March 8 for exploring connections between faith and scouting
The troops are celebrating Girl Scouts Week from March 8-14
Shayla Wright is currently working on attaining the Gold Award (having already earned 137 service hours)
The program continues to welcome girls of all nationalities into the troops
Troops meet at the church for activities including service projects, scouting activities, and faith-based programming

Why it matters

This program demonstrates the lasting impact of community-based youth development, particularly for African American girls in a historically segregated organization. The 57-year legacy shows how grassroots initiatives can create multi-generational change, producing leaders in law, medicine, public service, entrepreneurship, and science. The troops have maintained their mission of building courage, character, and confidence while addressing practical barriers like affordability by creating alternative uniforms for girls who couldn't afford official ones. The success stories of alumnae like Kim R. Ford and Yasmine Arrington Brooks illustrate how early leadership development translates into barrier-breaking achievements and community service that extends far beyond childhood participation.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer