The story of 80-year member and volunteer, Elaine Saunders
Elaine Saunders is a member of Association 42 who joined the Girl Scouts at age seven and has continued for an astounding eighty years. During that time, her story of passion for the Girl Scouting mission and an unwavering dedication to forwarding the movement unfolded.
One of Elaine’s most cherished memories was when her troop had the honor of hosting education and civil rights icon Mary McLeod Bethune , a friend of Elaine's Troop Leader and Eleanore Roosevelt. This special visit led to an invitation for Elaine and her troop to have tea with the First Lady at the White House. This extraordinary experience ignited a passion for service and leadership within her, a passion that would define her Girl Scout journey.
In the early 1950s, Elaine became a volunteer, leading a Brownie Troop. And as an avid recruiter, she later started new troops at various levels and locations, instilling in young Girl Scouts the values of community service and camaraderie. Her troop, a melting pot of diversity, traveled far and wide, and frequently participated in Sudden Service— a program encouraging quick and impactful acts— includingbeing called to perform flag ceremonies at the White House. When she showed up to work in her Girl Scout uniform, her colleagues would ask, “What do you have going on with the troop this time?”. In 1976, she and her daughter were on the cover of a recruiting manual! She is still proud to wear her Girl Scout uniform today.
Elaine’s impact stretches beyond her troop. She is a pioneer, field-testing a program in Pennsylvania for younger children even before the Daisy program existed. Her commitment led her to serve as a cookie parent, organzie campouts, be a council delegate, and become a Council board member, she embodies the spirit of Girl Scouting through and through. Elaine’s dedication knows no bounds.
Elaine’s love for scouting extends beyond her official roles. She believes in the power of scouting to transform lives to instill values of leadership and compassion in young people. Her dedication is unwavering, even as she raised five children and volunteered for numerous other organizations.
Throughout her journey, Elaine has remained humble, never seeking recognition for herself but always striving to empower others. She collected youth uniforms to pass on to those in need, ensuring that every Girl Scout could proudly wear the uniform. She continues to be a mentor, a guide, and a friend to countless Girl Scouts. She encourages everyone to “get old friends, and young ones”—her oldest friend is 106, and her youngest being 4.
