Meet Girl Scout Troop 1673

Maria

Troop Member

Spirit Animal: Seal

Favorite Color: Purple, seagreen and blue

Favorite Song:  Hall of Fame  (The Script and Will.I.AM)

Who Inspires You?  Misty Copeland and my Mom

What do most people not know about you? My great grandfather worked with Albert Einstein.

Why did you want to do the Paint It Yellow campaign? To help my mom and all people with low vision so they can do everyday things without having to worry about seeing.

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? I learned that people with 20/200 vision are legally blind.

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign?  Everything you can do to help, no matter how big or small is important.

Siena

Troop Member

Spirit Animal:  Rabbit

Favorite Color:  Light green, like the earth

Favorite Song:  “Roar” by Katy Perry

Who Inspires You?  My sister, Selene

What do most people not know about you? I have a Mickey Mouse birthmark.

Why did you want to do the Paint It Yellow campaign?  I wanted to do this campaign because it helps people all around the world.  I think that helping people is the most important thing. 

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? I didn’t know that people with low vision can see stairs as slides.

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign? This is not just about us, this helps everyone.

Victoria

Troop Member

Spirit Animal:  Goat

Favorite Color:  Pink

Favorite Song:  “You Belong with Me” (Taylor Swift)

Who Inspires You? Hannah Shaw (Kitten rescuer) 

What do most people not know about you?  I have fostered more than 28 cats/kittens.

Why did you want to do the Paint It Yellow campaign? I want to help the visually impaired by painting things yellow.

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign?  People with Usher syndrome are similar to newborn kittens with the challenge of inabiity to see and hear.  

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign?  Yellow is a good contrast color that visually impaired people can see.

Why did you want to assist with the Paint It Yellow campaign? I wanted to do this campaign because everyone should be able to do everyday things safely.

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? I learned that Usher syndrome also affects balance.

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign? That we are spreading awareness and creating a safer environment for those with vision loss.

Peggy

Troop Co-Leader

Spirit Animal: Dolphin

Favorite Color: Seafoam

Favorite Song: It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

Who Inspires You?  The beautiful children who overcome adversity (cancer, Usher syndrome, etc.) every day with a smile on their faces.  Their strength empowers me and motivates me to be a better person.

What do most people not know about you? I am really grumpy if I don’t sleep well.

Why did you want to assist with the Paint It Yellow campaign? I feel honored and humbled that our troop has chosen to advocate for me and those like me. I loved the Yellow the World campaign and I wanted to share that with my girls. I am thrilled to give them an opportunity to do what they do best - make others happy and make the world a better place.

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? While Virginia and the rest of the country is terrific about accessibility in public spaces for those with ambulatory disabilities, not a lot has been done to accommodate those with low vision.  

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign?  I have to echo Maria and not just because she is my daughter.  Anything you do is amazing and we are grateful!  

Lisa

Troop Co-Leader

Spirit Animal:  Crow or Raven

Favorite Color:  Red

Favorite Song:  Chain Reaction Diana Ross

Who Inspires You?  My Grandmother Claudia who immigrated here from Italy during WWII

What do most people not know about you? I am a Strawberry Shortcake connoisseur

Why did you want to assist with the Paint It Yellow campaign? Vision loss can be invisible issue. I felt we needed to bring more attention to the simple ways we can make daily life better for those with vision loss.

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? I learned about how much high contrast is effective for people with vision loss.

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign? That anyone, no matter the age, can help raise awareness or make the world better for people with vision loss.

Tara

Money Manager and Troop Photographer

Spirit Animal: Squirrel 

Favorite Color: Forest green

Favorite Song: “Lily’s Eyes” from The Secret Garden musical

Who Inspires You: Peggy Borst

What do most people not know about you? In college I played Jill in a production of “Butterflies are Free,” which is a play about a blind man living in New York City.

Why did you want to assist with the Paint It Yellow campaign? Empathy enables you to be a better person

What did you learn while doing research for this campaign? 2020 is the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What do you think is the most important thing for people to understand about the campaign? When someone sees something painted yellow as part of this campaign, it will help remind them to think about the difficulties and challenges that others face.