Mt. Olive Councilwoman Mary Lalama with Sydney Price.
Girl Scouts have so many projects they could choose to earn their merit. Price justifies why she chose this one: “I chose this as my project due to my own experiences at school with my peers,” shares Price. “Whenever given the opportunity, I have always involved myself in discussions and debates; whether it be in or outside of class. What I found was that my male classmates tended to dominate the conversation, even to the point where they frequently spoke over girls when they spoke.
“Everyone, including teachers, were prone to accepting and promoting the boy’s opinions over the girls as well,” she continues. “When I joined the high school’s Model United Nations club which gave me a formal platform to debate the world’s issues, I saw that this issue is not just at my school but present everywhere. Ever since this realization I did everything I could to keep myself and my friends informed on the current political situations, but I knew I could do more. This project is how I plan to amend this problem.”
Admitting that she has no relatives working in politics, Price says “I plan to be the first! “My father has spent his life promoting the importance of understanding of government and politics, and that got passed down to me. As a child, he would give me little anecdotes about the current political system in addition to my learning at school.
“When I said to him that I was going to be the president one day, he told me that he had no doubts,” she adds. “When I expressed uncertainty about a future in politics, he encouraged me no matter what. It is thanks to him and my mother that I’m interested in politics today.”
Price says she thinks it is her calling.
“I love the idea of working internationally or with the ignored members of our society through the United Nations or non-profit organizations,” says Price. “I just want to make a difference in our world.”
Until then, she plans to enjoy her time as a Girl Scout.
“There are so many things that I enjoy about being a Girl Scout, particularly the community it provides me,” says Price. “It is something I absolutely love being a part of, as it not only enriches the lives of its members but also inspires us to make a positive impact in our world. The support, encouragement and shared experiences truly make being a Girl Scout a cherished journey. And I could not ask for a better troop and troop leader to be on that journey on.”
She thanks her family and troop for their support in her project.
“I could not have done any of this without the help of my family and troop leader Mrs. Allyson Gallinis,” says Price. “They have all been there for me during every point in my life and have been integral to helping me complete each step of this journey, and I appreciate everything they have done for me!
“I also want to thank Mrs. Mary Lalama,” she adds. “She has provided me with better mentorship and opportunities than I could ask for.”
Lalama is happy and proud that she could guide Price along the way.
Price had contacted Lalama last November via email, introducing herself and asking if she could serve as her advisor. Lalama agreed by sharing her story about how she got involved in politics.
“I plan to be available to help give direction and guide her about political awareness in young girls/woman,” says Lalama, who just finished serving her first year in politics. “I invited her to sit in on a council meeting to see how local politics works.”
The only female on the Mt. Olive Twp. Council, other than Councilwoman Colleen Labow, Lalama agrees that the shortage in females involved in politics is concerning.
“I think more women are needed and I believe Sydney's project will bring awareness to this issue,” says Lalama. “I love the idea. I think it's great that at her age she sees an issue and is working on the solution.
“With only two women on the council alongside five men, I strongly believe we need to encourage more women to get involved in our town's leadership,” says Lalama.
She shares her ideas on how more women can be encouraged to consider roles in politics.
“Encouraging young women to consider leadership roles in politics can be supported through several approaches: Positive Representation— Increasing visibility of women in politics through media, campaigns, and educational materials helps challenge stereotypes and show that leadership is attainable,” says Lalama.
“Education and Training— Providing young women with opportunities to learn about politics, public speaking, policy-making and leadership skills from an early age can prepare them to take on leadership roles,” she continues.
“Addressing Barriers— Identifying and working to remove barriers, such as unequal access to resources, societal expectations, or lack of childcare support, can make it easier for young women to pursue leadership careers in politics,” Lalama lists.
“Encouraging Confidence— Encouraging young women to develop self-belief and overcome impostor syndrome through leadership development programs can help them recognize their potential,” she concludes.
“For me, a better democracy is a democracy where women do not only have the right to vote and to elect but to be elected.” - Michele Bachelet