Canada’s Girl Scouts will drop the name “Brownie” — for their youngest members — because the term is “racist” … members who will now be called “Embers.”
- The name change was announced by Girls Guide of Canada on Wednesday
- The ‘Embers’ are the seven and eight year old girl troupe
- A nationwide search was made for the right name for the industry
The Canadian Girl Scouts dropped the Brownie name in favor of Embers after labeling the term “racist” and “offending” some of their members.
The name change was announced Wednesday by Girl Guides of Canada to create a more inclusive space for the seven- and eight-year-old girls branch, according to a Girl Guides press release.
“With this new name, we’re showing girls that what they say matters and that Girl Guides is a place where everyone belongs,” Girl Guides tweeted.
Girl Guides of Canada said they decided to change their branch’s name in November after current and former members claimed the previous name was damaging and a barrier to racist girls and women’s belonging.
A nationwide search was conducted involving girls, youth and adult members to find the correct name.
Embers Group cheers as they celebrate their branch’s new name change
The announcement was made in a tweet by Girl Guides of Canada on Wednesday
“This wasn’t just about a name or where it came from. It was about the fact that girls experienced racism and didn’t feel welcome with Girl Guides,” said Jill Zelmanovits, CEO of Girl Guides of Canada.
Zelmanovitz said she heard from many current and former members, and even members of the public, who understood why we needed to make this change.
She said families have been signing up with Girl Guides for the first time in recent months because changing that name means Girl Guides is more inclusive for their daughters.
“It was clear that this was the preferred choice,” said Jill Zelmanovits, CEO of Girl Guides of Canada.
“We can’t wait to introduce girls ages 7 and 8 to the magic of Girl Guides, now called Embers.”
GGC will begin rolling out the Embers name across various websites, marketing materials and resources over the coming months.
They have September 1, 2023 as their target date to fully adopt the name.
Embers (ages 7-8) joins other branches of Sparks (ages 5-6), Guides (ages 9-11), Pathfinders (ages 12-14) and Rangers (ages 15-17) at GGC, according to the branch .
“With the new Embers name, we hope more girls will see guiding as a place to just be themselves, build their confidence and explore their talents and interests,” says Zelmanovits. ‘
By taking action and changing the name to Embers, Girl Guides is living up to our promise to “Take Action for a Better World” and showing girls that what they say matters. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.”
“This wasn’t just about a name or where it came from. It was about the fact that girls experienced racism and didn’t feel welcome with Girl Guides,” said Jill Zelmanovits, CEO of Girl Guides of Canada