The Girls Guides of Canada announced they are renaming the group Brownies. A move they consider an important and necessary step to creating an inclusive and equitable space where every racialized girl feels like they belong and are welcome in guiding.
“We heard from several members and former members that the name brownies has caused them personal harm, so we are changing the name of the branch to further remove barriers for belonging for racialized girls and woman.” says GGC CEO Jill Zelmanovits. “It is clear that this change is the right thing to do-Girl Guides cannot be represented by a term that causes any girl harm, as the leading organization for woman and girls in Canada its critical we listen to girls’ voices and take action when they speak up”
GGC Canada is committed to diversity and inclusion and has made a lot of progressive changes over the years. In 2015, the organization formally announced that trans girls are welcome in guiding and in 2019 it released a new simplified uniform of a t-shirt or tunic that embraces the richness of its members and reduces barriers to belonging.
The new name of the branch has not been announced as of yet, but the name change will come into effect in September 2023, and it will continue to provide girls aged seven and eight to experience a sense of discovery and accomplishment. The organization looks forward to creating new experiences together.
