x
Breaking News
More () »

12-year-old girl scout from Geauga County sparks equality discussion

Julianna Speyer and her girl scout troop were busy raising money with a bake sale, Wednesday evening.

Chesterland — Julianna Speyer and her girl scout troop were busy raising money with a bake sale, Wednesday evening.

But the truth is Julianne didn't bake a darn thing. She had to be in New York for her interview with Al Roker.

It was accidental fame.

She grabbed a pen, spoke her mind and sparked a lot of discussion.It started with a letter she wrote to the editors of the Geauga Maple Leaf and the Chesterland News that started like this,

“I would like to inform you of how offended and disappointed I am," Julianna reads from a copy of her now famous letter.

The 12-year-old from Russel Township is a proud girl scout who just made cadet.

She explains she was marching with her troop 77192 in Chesterland's Kiwanis 4th of July parade when she heard the announcer say,

"Here's the Boy Scouts everybody. These are future leaders of America.Then he said look, right behind them here are the Girl Scouts.They look like they are having fun. I found that sexist and patronizing and I was very frustrated," Julianne says matter of factly.

So in her letter she wrote “I feel it is an insult to both girls and women of all ages."

Julianne knows now that the announcer intended no disrespect.

In fact, the parade organizers issued a statement saying so.

But Julianna, for the record, would like to say this.

"I want people to see women as future leaders of America and they can do anything they want and MEN can do anything they want," Julianna says.

The letter, that someone else posted is getting shares upwards of 110,000 on Facebook alone.

Julianne tells WKYC she hopes each one comes with the following message.

"If you see something needs to be changed you need to be the one to change it."

A 12 year old.

The power of the pen.

The power of one to remind us to be more aware of our words.

"I tried to make a change and I succeeded.That’s a great feeling. I hope I made a difference for all women," Juliana says.

Before You Leave, Check This Out