The Africa to America patch created by Girl Scout Ava.

Africa to America Patch

An American girl living in Paris, France and longtime member of USA Girl Scouts Overseas, Ava's commitment to honoring her heritage inspired her to create a fun patch program for girls in France to learn about the influence of African Americans in France and America.

Black History month is more than a date on the calendar for Ava, "Lucky for me Black History wasn't just focused on a particular month of the year. It was a constant part of my life. My parents made sure I had a balance between both cultures (French and American)." Read about what Ava accomplished and consider how you can celebrate Black History Month in your community—abroad or at home.

Name: Ava

Age: When the patch was designed I was about ten years old. I am now sixteen.

Troop Information: This September, I moved to Connecticut and am currently enrolled in High School here. Unfortunately I was not able to find a Senior Girl Scout troop in my area, so I'm not registered at this time. Prior to this I was involved in Girl Scouting for ten years in Paris, France. My last troop (Senior troop 21) had 12 girls and was led by Kim Powell-Jaulin and Ann Lepretre.

Inspiration for creating the patch: Ever since I was old enough to read I had books by African American authors and about the African American culture. Living in France I didn't get that information at school so I got it through my mom and the books she gave me. She made sure I didn't ignore that side of my heritage by taking me on African American tours of Paris, which gave me a different perspective on the monuments and sites I had come to know well. We were also very involved in the African American community, my mother was the president of a women's organization called Sisters, which helped me make friends. Also in Girl Scouting, my troop would always celebrate Black History Month one way or another. Whether it was lighting candles and singing a gospel song or researching prominent people, it always taught me something new.

How long did you work on the creation of the patch? I was lucky because many Paris "discovery" patches already existed so I was given a guideline as to what was expected. My challenge was to take those guidelines and create a patch that was not only educational but pertinent to my subject: African American history in Paris. So I would say from the time the idea was thought up to its execution it took me about six months.

Were there any people who were especially helpful to you while working on this? My mother was my biggest help, she helped me weed out the information, she proof read my copy and although I was stubborn at times, she stood by me. The African American community was equally as helpful. When we would go out for Gospel brunch or on a tour, I knew I could ask a question and it would always be answered.

How many girls have earned the patch? I believe at least 200 people have earned the patch but I think it might be more. I was told the whole troop from Marymount (an American school in Paris) completed it all at once which I believe included around thirty girls. I tried to contact the patch coordinator in Paris to get an accurate number but haven't heard back yet.

What do you hope that girls learn from earning the patch? I hope for girls to gain an understanding of the subtle yet concrete influences, inspirations and contributions of African Americans in France. I also wanted them to be proud to have earned the patch and the knowledge that went with it, just like I did.

What did you learn while designing the patch? I learned how to make something that was esthetically pleasing that also sent out a message. It took me awhile to research the colors and their meaning.

What are you most proud of accomplishing as it relates to this project? I am proud to know that everyone, no matter what age, can be interested in a culture that isn't their own. It is a project that can be adapted to every level; it applies to everyone no matter where they live. For African Americans, it gives them a snapshot of a part of themselves they might never have known.

How will you be celebrating Black History Month in 2008? I'm not sure, as I am now going to an American high school. I've heard we might be doing some specific projects. If not, possibly I could come up with a more in depth version of my patch questionnaire to present to my class.

How does living abroad/in Paris give you a unique perspective on Black History Month? In Paris, I attended a French School, so it was never a part of the curriculum. Lucky for me Black History wasn't just focused on in a particular month of the year. It was a constant part of my life. My parents made sure I had a balance between both cultures (French and American).

How have other girls in Paris celebrated Black History Month? I'm not sure. Although I know the American Schools have it as a part of their curriculums, and Girl Scouts usually do something as a troop. Others celebrate it in their families.

Pertinent to this topic? I just want to say that I feel lucky to have had role models such as my mother, who managed to be an OCC for four years and raise me. She made me aware of the accomplishments of African American women in Girl Scouting and I remember reading the messages in LEADER magazine when Cynthia Thompson was the Board Chair of GSUSA. At the time it seemed normal, but now that I'm older I realize how important that was.

I'm glad my patch has stood the test of time and that it has taken peoples' knowledge further. I wanted them to have a more comprehensive view of African American history in Paris. You always hear about the entertainers. For example, many people see Josephine Baker just as an entertainer, but they do not know the whole story. She was a mother to 12 children (her kids were known as the rainbow tribe because of their different ethnicity and cultures), and a soldier. There is so much to discover about the artists, writers, educators, soldiers and others. I wanted people to gain that knowledge while still having fun.