The Radical Brownies Will Make You Forget All About Girl Scout Cookies

Forget everything you think you know about Girl Scouts, because this troop of young women of color is going to change your ideas about childhood activities. The Radical Brownies, a newly founded group of girls who focus on social justice issues in their community of Oakland, CA, don't participate in the same type of activities as traditional scout groups — instead of selling cookies, the Radical Brownies march in peaceful protests. While their Girl Scout counterparts earn admirable badges for volunteering and learning savvy skills, the Radical Brownies learn about social issues to earn badges like "LGBT Ally" and "Radical Beauty."

"We were inspired by the legacies of social justice movements and the desire to create a space centered on the development of young girls of color. We desire to empower and nurture their strength. In these trying times for our communities of color with histories of struggle and beautiful resilience, this space is rare, necessary and should be celebrated," the founders of Radical Brownies explained in their Facebook FAQ page. Anayvette Martinez and Marilyn Hollinquest, the leaders and cofounders of the troop, were inspired by Martinez's daughter to bring together an empowering group for girls like her. The group of community-focused young girls has already received outpourings of support from like-minded groups, including an "Open Love Letter to Radical Brownies" penned by the Young Women of Color Leadership Council.

While the Oakland Radical Brownies troop is merely a fledgling organization, many mothers and daughters nationwide are interested in starting chapters in their own communities. Is this the future of childhood scouts? If Radical Brownies have anything to do with it, empowered girls of color and LGBT backgrounds definitely won't be contained to the Bay Area alone. Look out, world! Source: Facebook user Radical Brownies