Girl Scouts honor Betty White with commemorative patch
Betty White When the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore chose Betty White as part of their “Amazing Woman of the Month” series in December 2021, the service organization had no idea how poignant the selection would become.
By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
FARMINGDALE, N.J. — When the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore chose Betty White as part of their “Amazing Woman of the Month” series in December, the service organization had no idea how poignant the selection would become.
According to People, the series was developed in October 2021 by GSJS staffer Stacy Petti in a bid to introduce young women - and member adults - to inspiring leaders.
The wildly popular program elicited interest from 712 people, but then the beloved actress died Dec. 31, just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday, and interest in earning the commemorative patch exploded.
According to the magazine, registration numbers have since swelled nearly three fold to 2,059, and the program is now being offered nationwide, People reported.
“We are truly saddened at Betty White’s passing, but the incredible response to the patch program is a wonderful tribute to her impact on women,” Heather Coburn, interim CEO of Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, told the magazine.
“She is a strong role model for girls — a feminist, civil rights supporter, animal activist, brilliant actress and overall nice human being,” Coburn added.
According to the program’s official website, the “Amazing Woman of the Month” series focuses each month on an iconic female figure through self-guided activities. Once completed, participants earn a customized patch honoring the woman studied.
Specific to White, the series will allow the young women to construct a pretend TV, create their own game show, advocate for animals and learn to coexist with others, People reported.
In addition to White, the program has offered patches to date honoring Shirley Chisholm, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Registration is still currently open and anyone can sign up for $10. An introduction to the program will be held live on Jan. 12 from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST via Zoom. Those who sign up after Jan. 12 will receive a link to the recorded Zoom program.
Betty White through the years A headshot portrait of American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Betty White through the years BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White in 1954 -- Photo by: Elmer Holloway/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years circa 1956: American actor Betty White sits in a canvas chair with her name written on the back, looking over her shoulder in a backyard garden. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - Portrait Shots - Aired on May 5, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - "Betty White Generic" - Airdate September 17, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White -- (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) (NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - "Gallery- Betty White, Bill Williams" - Airdate June 1, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date - Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years (Original Caption) Betty White, television star is shown in this photograph. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date - Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - "Misc. Color" - Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years DATE WITH THE ANGELS - "Misc. Color" - Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years 75TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE -- Pictured: Host Betty White -- (Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) (NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via)
Betty White through the years Publicity still of American actress Betty White, who plays Sue Ann Nivens on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' (also known as 'Mary Tyler Moore'), 1975. She wears a burgandy velvet jacket over a pink turtleneck sweater, and poses with her chin in the palm of her left hand. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images) (CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
Betty White through the years BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White -- Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years LOVE BOAT - "Two Grapes on the Vine/Aunt Sylvia/Deductible Divorce" which aired on October 17, 1981. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE (ABC Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty)
Betty White through the years Betty White (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Betty White through the years THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- Season 1 -- Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund -- Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- Season 2 -- Pictured: (l-r) Betty White as Rose Nylund-- Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- Season 4 -- Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund -- Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- "Before and After" Episode 15 -- Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) (Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years THE 38TH ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS -- Pictured: Betty White winner of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series NBC's "The Golden Girls" held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA on September 21, 1986 (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Betty White through the years Betty White during 2003 Emmy Creative Arts Awards - Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) (Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Betty White through the years Betty White during 2004 TV Land Awards airing March 17, 2004 - Red Carpet Arrivals at The Palladium in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Betty White through the years Betty White and Molly during Old Navy Nationwide Search for New Canine Mascot - April 29, 2006 at Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Ketchum Entertainment Marketing) (E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Ketchum Entertainm)
Betty White through the years NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Actress Betty White visits fuse's "No. 1 Countdown" at fuse Studios June 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage) (Gary Gershoff/WireImage)
Betty White through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Actress and Co-Chairman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Betty White hosts the media preview for the upcoming Beastly Ball fundraiser at the Los Angeles Zoo on June 6, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage) (Amanda Edwards/WireImage)
Betty White through the years Actress Betty White attends the media preview for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's Beastly Ball fundraiser at Los Angeles Zoo on June 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vincent Sandoval/WireImage) (Vincent Sandoval/WireImage)
Betty White through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: Actress Betty White attends The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) 45th Annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo on June 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage) (Amanda Edwards/WireImage)
Betty White through the years TO TELL THE TRUTH - "Episode 102" - Comedian Iliza Shlesinger joins our celebrity panel to hilarious effect. In this episode we have one of the highest grossing Tupperware sales people who just happens to be a drag queen, shark attack survivors and somebody who jumps off buildings for a living. While on fire! "To Tell The Truth" Episode 102 Series Time-Period Premiere, Tuesday, June 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET). (Kelsey McNeal/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
BETTY WHITE (Kelsey McNeal /Walt Disney Television via Getty)