Finley advances Girl Scout program

Sunday, June 10, 2007 2:28 AM CDT

Name;

Mary A. Finley

Age:

54

Family:

Single

Hobbies/Interests:

People, traveling, film festivals, Neo Soul cooking and designing home altars.

Occupation:

Girl Scouts of Racine County - membership director/outreach specialist to the black community.

Volunteer activities:

American Association of University Women�Racine Branch. Co-vice president of membership and chairperson of diversity committee. Wednesday Optimist Club�program chairperson.

Recent Accomplishments:

"My objective is to identify opportunities for Girl Scouting within the community and to recruit adults needed to facilitate the program. Last fall, I started a troop at the HALO shelter. As of this date, we have served 25 girls.

"It's been great to see the girls grow and develop in a girl-centric environment. I also develop events that promote the diversity of Girl Scouting. Some include the annual Martin Luther King Read-In and Juneteenth Day Freedom Celebration. Both events help Girl Scouts earn the African American Heritage Patch and give the community at-large an opportunity to learn and enjoy more about our culture and values."

When friends come to town, we go to:

"They attend a Girl Scout community event - often as the entertainment or to volunteer. They also enjoy some of our great bakeries and restaurants."

One choice of a dinner companion, dead or alive:

"Dr. Mae Jemison, astronaut - She was the first African-American in space and is a former Girl Scout."

My friends describe me as:

"Adventurous, a Renaissance woman, well-spoken, passionate and compassionate about issues that impact women and girls."

Person I admire most:

"No one person. All people who have the courage of their convictions to seek wisdom, love, justice and peace."

What I miss most from my childhood:

"Traveling and marching with the Belle City Vanguards to Chicago and New York, the carnivals at Pershing Park and Douglas Park and some special friends."

In the next five years I would like to accomplish:

"Complete my master's degree, take a sabbatical in the South Pacific Islands and get back on the national speaking circuit."

If you know somebody people should know, contact Phyllis Sides at (262) 631-1714 or via e-mail at: psides@journaltimes.com

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