12-year-old calls out 'sexist and patronizing comments' about Girl Scouts in viral letter

A collection of Girl Scout badges. (Photo: Jonathan Wiggs\Boston Globe)
A collection of Girl Scout badges. (Photo: Jonathan Wiggs\Boston Globe)

A 12-year-old girl from Chesterland, Ohio, wrote a compelling letter to the Geauga County Maple Leaf editor where she called out sexist remarks she heard at a Fourth of July parade.

Julianne Speyer was attending the Independence Day parade when an announcer made comments about Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“The announcer labeled the Boy Scouts as ‘future leaders of America,’ and he said the Girl Scouts were ‘just having fun,'” Julianne wrote in the letter to the editor.

“I found this comment very sexist and patronizing. I would appreciate it if you would help me to let other people know how much this kind of thing happens and how bad it is. I feel it is an insult to both girls and women of all ages. This kind of thing happens way too much and it is not OK at all,” she added.

The letter was posted on Facebook where it has been shared more than 97,000 times.

People on Twitter showed their support for the girl’s message as well.

A supporter of the girl’s letter set up a GoFundMe with proceeds going to support the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio.

Julianne recently appeared on Cleveland 19 News for an interview. The wise preteen said, “I could just scream the message that girls can be anything they want to be.”

“I have always been taught that if you think something is unjust, change it. So, this is how I am making a change,” Julianne wrote in her letter — and you better believe she’s well on her way to making that change.

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