State Rep. Barb Gleim, whose district covers part of Cumberland County, became the newest member of Troop PA at an investiture ceremony held May 29.
Troop PA is a bicameral caucus of female Republican and Democrat members of the state’s General Assembly. This honorary Girl Scout troop recognizes the achievements of women in government leadership roles throughout Girl Scout in the Heart of Pennsylvania’s 30-county area.
Girl Scouts representing Daisies through Seniors participated in the ceremony. Some led Gleim in reciting the Girl Scout Promise and Law, while others shared the importance of Girl Scouts with Gleim.
Participating Girl Scouts were Alanna, Frederica and Evelyn from Troop 10542, Isabella from Troop 10559, Miriam from Troop 11466, Krimson from Troop 10509, and Jane, Holly, Amiyah and Sophie, from the Carlisle Barracks troop.
Gleim has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2019 and is the first woman to serve in the 199th legislative district.
“Girl Scouts gets girls outside. It gets them away from their normal routine. It teaches them about civility, about kindness, about helping others.”
– Rep. Gleim
“A lot of women in leadership positions started in Girl Scouts,” Gleim said after receiving her Girl Scout pin that formally welcomed her into Troop PA. “I think it’s a great foundation for girls and women.”
A former Girl Scout, Gleim said she’s had a passion for the program since she was a child in a troop in her hometown in Maryland.
“I loved Girl Scouts,” she said. “It was so much fun, and I made so many memories.” Gleim showed the Girl Scouts her own Girl Scout sash from her youth.
As an adult, Gleim was a co-leader in the Cumberland Valley area and shepherded her two daughters through Girl Scouts.
“I understand what Girl Scouts has to offer young women today,” she said. “Girl Scouts gets girls outside. It gets them away from their normal routine. It teaches them about civility, about kindness, about helping others.”
After the ceremony, the girls chatted with Gleim, asking her questions, including “What does a regular day look like for you?” and “What’s an example of a problem you may have to deal with?” They also enjoyed learning about Gleim’s other job, maintaining her family’s working farm.
A foundation in Girl Scouts prepared Gleim for a leadership role, she said, and it also fueled her passion for the outdoors.
“I learned a lot of my camping, hiking and outdoor skills in Girl Scouts,” she said. “It was a great fit for me, because I was an outdoor girl from the very beginning.”
Written by Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.