GIRL GUIDES DROPS ''BROWNIES'' NAME IN FAVOUR OF ''EMBERS''
Jan 11, 2023
By Bob Komsic
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In an effort to be more inclusive, Girl Guides of Canada announces it’s changing the name of its ”Brownies” branch to ”Embers.”
The group said last November it wanted to change the name of its program for 7 and 8-year-old girls to remove barriers for those who are racialized.
”With this new name, we hope even more girls will see guiding as a place where they can just be themselves, grow their confidence and explore their talents and interests,” Girl Guides says in an email to parents.
The group says current and former racialized members were consulted to come up with a new, more welcoming name.
”Embers” beat out ”Comets” in an online vote.
CEO Jill Zelmanovits says the new name applies immediately but that it’ll take several months to update various websites, marketing materials and resources.
The name will be fully adopted by September.
Other branches include ”Sparks” for those aged five and six; ”Guides” who ware nine to 11, ”Pathfinders” who are 12 to 14 and ”Rangers” who are 15 to 17.