By: Jaclyn M.
Do you remember when you first found the Lime Green Giraffe? Whether this is your first issue, or you have been following since LGG was a printed magazine, you’ll be excited to hear that we are celebrating a big milestone! That’s right, the Lime Green Giraffe is celebrating 20 years of giving girls a creative outlet to find their voice. To celebrate, we thought it would be cool to go two decades back, to when the Lime Green Giraffe was just an idea, and explore that journey. Since I wasn’t even alive 20 years ago, I interviewed Gloria Todd, who worked at council at the time, and helped the Lime Green Giraffe start up. Here’s what she had to say!
Lime Green Giraffe : What was your first thought when the idea of Lime Green Giraffe came up?
Gloria Todd: I was the Cadette/Senior/Ambassador Program Specialist for the council. After each event, I would collect surveys from the girls who had participated. One of the questions was, “What is something you would like to see that GS is not offering?” I noticed that writing was coming up over and over, even on summer camp evaluations.
We offered a couple of writing workshops but I could see that something ongoing was needed. Then I thought, why not have a magazine that would require a girl staff for the whole school year and the girls truly interested in writing would have publications to use on their resumes going forward.
Figuring out how to make that happen took a lot of thought but deciding who should head it was immediate. I was already working with Marnye and knew that she wrote for CNN at that time, and that writing was her passion. I asked her immediately and she said yes! Marnye recruited Melissa and Melissa recruited Jo. The perfect adult team was born.
LGG: Why did you decide the Lime Green Giraffe could benefit our council?
GT: The council exists for you girls. How better to showcase some of the girl’s finest talents?
Plus, girls would be able to gain skills interviewing, communicating, writing, photography, planning and implementing an event, being part of a team and meeting and working with professionals. Most of all, girls voices would be heard.
LGG: What was the process like for the Lime Green Giraffe in the first year? How were you able to help?
GT: The application process was just as it still is. However, that first year girls had the task of creating the name, the logo and the look of the magazine. They chose green because it is what the public associates with Girl Scouting. Lime green was extremely popular then and just gives off a fun happy vibe. The giraffe stands for the contents within the magazine as:
G-Girls
I-Info
R-Resources
A-Activities
F-Fun
F-Friends
E-Excitement
Next they gave the magazine a personality, named it GiGi and gave her eyelashes. This established the fun and definitely showcased girl creativity that makes you want to devour it word for word.
In the beginning, the LGG was published in print and in color. At that time, the council didn’t have any other publications in more than one color. Also the LGG was on glossy paper so it had more of a magazine look. Our other publications were on plain dull paper. As one of the marketing people shared with me, “The LGG was the best thing the council had ever published.” It was cutting edge. It was stunning!
At first, the girls used the marketing camera that someone had donated to take the photos. Quickly marketing recognized the need for professional quality photos so they would be clear when printed so girls began working with an actual photographer. Marnye made sure that they allowed the girls to plan and stage all of the shots. It was a very new concept to the photographers and guess what…they loved it!
It was the first time girls could utilize that much leadership through media.
The first printed publications were published twice a year, so between 2004-2007, there were 6 publications. They started out with very few pages but gradually increased.
LGG: How do you feel about how the Lime Green Giraffe has grown?
GT: The beautiful colors, glossy paper, printing, mailing, photographer and marketing staff time all were adding up quickly. The huge costs of the LGG was becoming a major challenge and there was talk that it might have to be cancelled.
During this time period, internet publications were becoming “a thing.” Marnye was quick to offer this solution and it was certainly the way to go.
Girls were still able to work with a professional photographer and that was the only expense.
Interestingly, during this pre internet social media time most of the very popular teen girl magazines were actually dying out. They mostly touted unhealthy body images and were written by adults.
The LGG first appeared on the council’s Website in 2008. Later it moved to its very own Website.
The LGG has succeeded in every area with amazing adults who allow and mentor girls to write important articles about what they are passionate about such as environmental issues, going through puberty, eating disorders, entrepreneurship, menstruation and personal mental health challenges, just to name a few. Let’s not forget the fun articles on crafts, camping, cooking, Girl Scouting and GiGi’s participation which adds to the pizazz.
LGG: What is your favorite thing about the Lime Green Giraffe?
GT: It is By GIRLS For GIRLS and that is what Girl Scouting is all about. Girls that love to write have the opportunity to enhance their writing skills, work on a publication staff, get published, work with the girl models, participate in community service and organize and implement writing events while working with professionals like the photographer, authors and the LGG adult advisers.
LGG: Where do you think the Lime Green Giraffe should go from here?
GT: I know that you’ve already jumped on Facebook and Instagram. I would say just keeping up with social media platforms and trying to grow your audience. The LGG has the potential to reach girls all over the world and even non Girl Scouts.
Well there you have it, I really enjoyed getting to hear about the history of the Lime Green Giraffe and I hope you did as well!
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