The Girl Guides of Canada have changed the name of their Brownies division to “Embers” in an effort to be more friendly and inclusive of all girls.
According to the organization, the new name applies immediately to its program for kids aged 7 and 8.
The organization’s chief executive, Jill Zelmanovits, claimed that members welcomed the chance to replace the group’s prior name, which discouraged some girls and women of color from joining the outdoor adventure and activity group.
“We were really thrilled with the support from within the organization, and especially that girls understood this change,” said Zelmanovits.
“When you say to a girl, you know, at a very basic level, this name makes some girls feel like they don’t belong, their automatic reaction is: ‘You should change it.’ What we thought might have been a difficult conversation was not a difficult conversation for them. For them it was a very automatic response”, she added.
In a referendum that took place online from November 29 to December 13 2022, Zelmanovits said that current and past members preferred the name “Embers” to “Comets.”
The name will be fully adopted by September 1st, she continued, adding that it will take several months to change numerous websites, marketing materials, and resources.
Other branches of the Guides include the Sparks for children ages 5 and 6, Guides for children ages 9 to 11, Pathfinders for children ages 12 to 14 and the Rangers for children ages 15 to 17.
After hearing from current and past members that the previous name caused harm and was a barrier to belonging for girls and women of color, the Guides announced in November that they would replace the name of the 7 and 8-year-old branch.
Zelmanovits admitted that the action addressed a “specific concern” and that there “are always more things that organizations can do.”
Author-Roberta Appiah
