Brenda Garrand featured speaker at first Pearls of Wisdom

Brenda Garrand was the guest speaker at the Girl Scouts of Maine first Pearls of Wisdom event on September 30, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., at the Robert D. Buchanan Alumni House, University of Maine Orono.

The Pearls of Wisdom luncheon was the first in a series of speaker events that will be held in and around the Bangor area that is intended to raise awareness of what it means to be a woman leader and provides a forum for Maine women to reflect upon their own leadership journeys.

Garrand is President and Strategic Director of Garrand Marketing Communications, a company she founded in 1988 that has grown into one of the largest and most recognized marketing communications practices in Northern New England. She is also Girl Scouts of Maine’s 2009 Woman of Distinction, an award that recognizes Maine women who serve as exemplary role models for girls and young women.

“Today’s girls are growing up in a complex world,” says Garrand. “To be successful, it’s imperative that they receive the best education possible and Girl Scouts can help them develop the leadership skills they will use in their own lives and to make a difference in their communities and the world.”

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Karen Keim, Associate Director of the UMaine Educational Opportunities Center, and Girl Scouts of Maine Board President. “This event offers a fabulous opportunity for individuals in the business community to network, enjoy a great lunch and to draw upon the extensive experiences of a successful and creative leader such as Brenda Garrand,” says Keim.

Tickets for the Pearls of Wisdom event are $25 per person and may be obtained by contacting the Girl Scouts of Maine Advancement Department at (888) 922-4763.

The event was being sponsored by People’s United Bank and proceeds will enable Girl Scouts of Maine to continue to provide services and support to over 16,000 girl and adult members statewide. For information on Girl Scouts or to volunteer, visit www.girlscoutsofmaine.org.

The Strand of Pearls

The first Girl Scout group in the United States began on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia - all because one woman had great wisdom and a vision.

On that date, Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls for a Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Juliette Gordon Low made sure that her Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, studied first aid, went on camping trips, and learned how to tell time by the stars.

As with all Girl Scout troops, money was needed to keep the program running. Juliette was so dedicated to the success of her girls that she sold a strand of rare matched pearls that her husband had given her as a wedding gift. The necklace fetched $8,000 – a hefty sum, especially in those days! And thus, we have our pearls of wisdom - funds unselfishly gained and money wisely spent to fund more opportunities for girls.