Gold Award Girl Scout honored at White House

Morgaine Wilkins-Dean is part of the second class of Girls Leading Change, organized by First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council

October 11, 2024

Morgaine Wilkins-Dean, a Gold Award Girl Scout from Denver, was honored at the White House today as a Girl Leading Change honoree for the work she is doing to eliminate gun violence in her community.

For her Gold Award project, Wilkins-Dean spearheaded efforts to combat gun violence in schools by creating a comprehensive policy aimed at keeping firearms off school premises and educating families about the hazards posed by lax gun laws. Collaborating closely with the Denver Public Schools school board, she successfully advocated for changes in DPS policy concerning gun violence prevention.

“It’s a little overwhelming, but becoming a Girl Leading Change Honoree is an amazing opportunity,” Wilkins-Dean said. “It’s been a whirlwind the past few days, and it’s been so good to meet the other girls. It really builds on my leadership experience as a Girl Scout.”

Earning a Gold Award is the highest honor in Girl Scouts. Gold Award Girl Scouts are high school girls who address issues they’re passionate about by planning and implementing a project that produces lasting change in their communities and beyond. Wilkins-Dean was also honored by the Denver Business Journal as the Future Outstanding Woman in Business this past August.

Wilkins-Dean is a political journalism major at Sacramento State University.