'With over half a million members, Girlguiding UK is the largest organisation in the UK that provides a safe girl-only space for girls and young women. Since the organisation started out – almost 100 years ago – our aim has always been to help girls and young women gain the confidence, skills and experiences necessary to broaden their horizons and reach for new goals. We prioritise leadership and management, assuming responsibility and building teams, taking the initiative, understanding rights and responsibilities, and caring for others – skills which our members can take into the rest of their lives, in their family, their work and their communities.
'Today’s world is one of unparalleled opportunities for young women. But it is also one in which they tell us they still face many challenges, from inequalities in the workplace and school, to overcoming the stigma that faces so many young people today.
'Women in the Lead has shown how many award-winning women from previous generations believe that the experiences and values they learned in guiding have helped them rise to prominence across a diverse range of sectors.
'In publishing Women in the Lead, our hope is that these high-flying former Guides will inspire our current members to overcome the challenges they will face, take all the opportunities that will come their way, and aspire to being tomorrow’s leaders.
'Our recent Girls shout out! report – which revealed once again how ambitious, career-minded and determined young women in guiding are – suggests that they intend to do just that!'