Project: Literacy: Libraries, Access, and the Community

Sonja Dunlap sees libraries a bit differently than most students. To her, access to libraries, and the tie-ins including freedom of information, freedom of speech, and freedom to read are fundamental human rights.

Libraries=Reading

“Literacy is one of the biggest barriers to improving one’s quality of life because reading and writing are necessary skills,” Sonja said. Libraries are one of the best ways to instill a love of reading, she believes.

To ensure more people had access to library services, she coordinated a library registration drive, and spoke to hundreds of students encouraging them to utilize their community library resources.

Sonja didn’t just work within her local community of Gibraltar, she reached out to multiple mentors, booksellers, partners, and others across southeastern Michigan to spread the word about libraries. She went to Lansing and delivered a passionate speech to state representatives on MI Library Advocacy Day.

Reading = Leading

Sonja was even able to champion her Gold Star topic all the way to the UN, representing GSSEM as a delegate at the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York City earlier this year.

“My Gold Award helped prepare me for opportunity through the advocacy skills I learned in its completion,” she said. “I focused heavily throughout my Gold Award on research, sharing accessible resources and meeting directly with legislators and organizations. This taught me how to best communicate my cause and to turn words into actionable change.”

Sonja graduated from Oscar A. Carlson High School and was a Juliette Girl Scout.

Find out more
Sonja chats about her Gold Award project on our YouTube channel.

Visit www.gssem.org/highestawards to learn more about the Girl Scouts Gold Awards.