GSSWT has a long and proud history of serving girls throughout the
region. Girl Scouts has a reputation of being the best leadership
development organization with an outstanding record of community
service and programs for girls. The organization is able to accomplish
this with the help of exceptional adult volunteers, alumnae,
supporters and friends. It is out of respect to the nearly 30,000
members in Southwest Texas that the record is set straight.
In some areas of the country, Girl Scout troops or groups may
choose to hold discussions about human sexuality and/or pregnancy
prevention and may choose to collaborate with a local organization
that specializes in these issues. Participation in these discussions
is optional, and parental consent must be provided prior to a girl’s
participation. However, please consider that the Southwest Texas
region has among the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the nation and
for girls in some communities, it would be appropriate for them to
receive pregnancy prevention education from a factual perspective in
Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts of the USA is an organization
whose membership represents a cross-section of America. Girls and
families hold various religious beliefs and opinions on social issues
and practices. As a result, GSUSA does not have a position on specific
issues such as abortion and contraception. Rather,
GSUSA recognizes and supports the primacy of parents as they
educate their daughters with regard to human sexuality and
pregnancy prevention.
This policy is not new. Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas
affirms that parents/guardians may be certain their daughters will not
be exposed to information on these topics that they don’t want them to
have, and it is unfair to expect an organization as large and diverse
as Girl Scouts to take on the role of parents and/or religious
organizations.
The mission of Girl Scouting is
to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the
world a better place, and the organization will never shy from
its duty or waver from its commitment to be an advocate for all girls.

What We Stand For
At Girl Scouts of Southwest, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Racism goes against the values of Girl Scouts, and although we have acted to counter racism throughout our history, we know we have enormous work ahead of us to build a truly anti-racist organization. We are prioritizing these efforts, both on an individual level and within every aspect of Girl Scouting. We want to reiterate to all girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, and staff that we do not tolerate racial injustice and racism has no place In Girl Scouts.
Get the facts about Girl Scout cookies here.
At the national and local level, the answer to this question is very simple -- Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas do not have a relationship with Planned Parenthood and have never received financial support from or contributed to the organization.
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Our Beliefs
Frequently Asked Questions: Social Issues
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What is GSUSA's position regarding human sexuality, birth control and abortion?
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Does GSUSA have a relationship with Planned Parenthood?
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Did GSUSA distribute a Planned Parenthood brochure at a United Nations event?
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Did GSUSA send a tweet in support of Texas State Senator Wendy Davis, suggesting she be considered for Woman of the Year?
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Why were Girl Scouts pictured in a photograph with State Sen. Wendy Davis in the San Antonio Express-News?
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Where exactly do proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program go?
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What is Girl Scouts’ process for reviewing materials?
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What is Girl Scouts’ position on serving transgender youth?
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Does Girl Scouting support families of faith?
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What is GSUSA’s relationship with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)?
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Does GSUSA have a financial relationship with WAGGGS?
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Is any money from Girl Scout cookie activities used to pay the WAGGGS quota?
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Are girls individual members of WAGGGS?
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Do girls have to wear a WAGGGS pin?
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What corrective actions is GSUSA taking regarding palm oil, cacao beans and the production of Girl Scout Cookies?