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Article published Jun 13, 2009 Blount Girl Scouts pilot patch program before nationwide launch
By Melanie Tucker of The Daily Times Staff
Girl Scout Troop 894 in Blount County along with others in the Tanasi Council are special guests of Dolly Parton at Dollywood today after being the first nationwide to earn a new "Coat of Many Colors" patch.
Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council and Parton created the new "Coat of Many Colors" Girl Scout patch program based on Parton's best-selling autobiographical song about her east Tennessee childhood and her mother's love.Also earning the patch are girls from Deb Bouvia's Troop 133 that meets at Cumberland Baptist Church on Western Avenue in Knoxville. Bouvia said it took her girls two full meetings to earn the new patch, and the girls learned valuable lessons about cultural diversity and acceptance of others while participating in the project.
They even wrote their own skit, with the Scouts taking on the role of Parton, her teacher and the classmates who made fun of Parton's coat of many colors.Famous garment
One of 12 children growing up in rural Locust Ridge, Parton immortalized her coat of many colors in her 1971 song of the same name. Parton's mother, Avie Lee, sewed the now famous garment from a bag of rags.
"The girls did enjoy the role playing activity," Bouvia said. "They probably did it close to the way it happened to Dolly. One of our girls actually cried. It was a very sensitive issue for them."
Girl Scouts earning the "Coat of Many Colors" patch learn to value others -- no matter how different -- because we all share universal desires for acceptance and affirmation.
Bouvia said during the activties, her Scouts discussed being on both sides of the issue -- being teased and being the one who says hurtful things. It made them think about how to treat others with more respect and how not to take cruel words from others to heart, the troop leader said.
Troop 133 also completed an art project which was on display at the Blount Mansion.
"This message is especially important in the current economy," said Mary Leidig, chief marketing officer for Tanasi Council. "Girl Scouts are leaders, and our patch program helps our girls step out and find ways to care for those in need. And in our challenging economy, so many are in need."
Parton has set an example leadership through her work with the Dollywood Foundation, helping children and their families in all walks of life.
"Honor yourself and stand up for diversity -- that's one of the most important messages in Girl Scouting -- and that's what this patch is all about," said Lise Bender, Tanasi's director of program services, who wrote the patch program.
Tanasi Council Girl Scouts who have earned the "Coat of Many Colors" patch will be honored at a special celebration at Parton's Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge today, at 10:30 a.m. in the Pines Theatre.
After the celebration, Tanasi's "Coat of Many Colors" patch program goes national and will be available to Girl Scouts everywhere.
"We've already had calls from Girl Scouts across the country and around the globe eager to earn the 'Coat of Many Colors' patch," said Leidig.Lifetime member
Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council made Dolly Parton a lifetime member of Girl Scouts in June 2007 in an event that received worldwide visibility. Parton also hosted a special celebration for Tanasi Council Girl Scout Gold Awardees -- those who have earned Girl Scouting's highest national honor.
Girls Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc. is based in Knoxville, and has more than 13,000 girl members and adult volunteers in 16 East Tennessee counties.
Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's largest organization dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts' membership has grown from 18 members in Savannah, Georgia, to nearly four million members throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and in more than 80 countries.