Girl Guides has debuted the new brand name for their 7-8 year old groups.
Formally known as Brownies, Girl Guides took to a vote and the internet had the choice between calling the group the Embers or Comets.
The masses chose Embers.
In a statement on their website announcing the change, Girl Guides said that the name Brownies caused harm to racialized members;
As an organization driven by the experience of girls, Girl Guides of Canada must listen to girls’ voices. We have heard from members and former members that the name Brownies has caused them harm as racialized (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) girls and women. Some do not want to be part of this branch because of the name. Some girls choose to skip this branch altogether or delay joining Girl Guides until after this branch. This branch name is a barrier to racialized girls and women feeling part of the Guiding sisterhood and we cannot use a word that causes any girl harm. Part of the Girl Guide Promise is to ‘take action for a better world.’ Taking action by updating this branch name is an important step in creating a space where every girl feels that she belongs in Girl Guides.
While the new name will come into effect immediately, the total changeover of all Girl Guides badges, sashes, resources etc, will happen over the course of the next few months. Their aim is to have everything changed by Sept. 1, 2023.
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