From Timid to Tenacious: Alexandra’s Tale of Confidence and Community Impact

Alexandra Gonzalez, Trailblazer

In honor of the upcoming International Day of the Girl, we spotlight Alexandra Gonzalez, a lifelong Girl Scout whose incredible story exemplifies how the Girl Scouts of the USA nurture courage, confidence, and character in young women. This global day of advocacy focuses on supporting girls’ access to education, healthcare, and opportunities, aiming to break barriers and achieve gender equality. Today, we celebrate Alexandra’s inspiring Girl Scout journey and its lasting impact on her life.

From Shy Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Achievement

Alexandra’s path with Girl Scouting began 16 years ago when she joined as a young girl with a speech impediment. “Throughout my time in school, I was in special education classes for my speech impediment. I was always afraid or nervous to speak in front of others or even to speak up for myself,” she recalls. However, the annual Cookie Selling season became a turning point. Initially shy and reserved, Alexandra found herself gaining confidence with each booth session, encouraged by her troop leaders, fellow Girl Scouts, and her dad, who managed the cookie sales. This support system helped Alexandra evolve from the girl behind the table to one of the Top Ten Cookie Sellers, earning the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award six years in a row.

Leadership and Service

Alexandra’s success in cookie sales was just the beginning. Her growing confidence spurred her to take on more leadership roles within the organization. For nine years, she volunteered, guiding younger Girl Scouts through their first outdoor adventures, which fostered her appreciation for the experiences and education she received. This commitment to leadership extended into her college years, where she became a Rowan Graduate with a B.A. in Leadership & Social Innovation, certified as a Wilderness First Responder, and served as a Teaching Assistant for an Outdoor Adventure Leadership class.

Adapting During Adversity

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges, but Alexandra’s dedication to Girl Scouting never wavered. Recognizing that many Girl Scouts lost their troops or passion during this period, Alexandra teamed up with her former troop leader and a childhood friend to become troop leaders themselves. “I would drop off their badge supplies at everyone’s house, log on to the meeting, and we would make a craft and earn a badge. The girls had a blast!” she shares. Their efforts not only maintained the troop’s continuity but also allowed it to grow and thrive.

A Lifelong Commitment to Empowerment

Today, Alexandra is the Assistant Manager and Program Technician at the Girl Scout DreamLab in North Brunswick. Her role involves leadership, programming, and community outreach, skills she honed over years of dedicated service.

Alexandra is also actively involved in Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., where she was nationally awarded Campus Leader of The Year in 2022–2023. She is currently holding leadership positions that further demonstrate her commitment to unity, love, and respect.

Reflecting on her Girl Scout experience, Alexandra shares a quote that deeply resonated with her during high school. She later discovered it was from Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low herself: “To be inspired is great, but to be an inspiration is an honor.” This sentiment encapsulates Alexandra’s journey from a shy second-grade girl to a confident leader and role model.

Conclusion

Alexandra Gonzalez’s story is a testament to the transformative power of Girl Scouting. The organization’s focus on building courage, confidence, and character has not only shaped Alexandra’s life but continues to empower countless girls to reach their full potential. In celebrating International Day of the Girl, we honor the work being done by Girl Scouts locally to develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. To learn more about how Girl Scouting can empower your girl or to get involved, visit www.gscsnj.org