Natalie Hardy of Hamden, 94, was the first African-American girl Scout  
to receive the Golden Eaglet Award in 1935 when she was a member of
 the first  African-American troop, New Haven Troop 24 in New Haven. 
In honor of its 100th anniversary, Girl Scouts of Connecticut recently honored 100 area individuals and organizations for embracing and living Girl Scout values.


One of the honorees is Hamden resident Natalie Hatcher Caple Douglas Hardy, who was recognized in a special ceremony held earlier this month in Hartford. She already received a Distinguished Alumnae Award.
Hardy, 94, was a member of Girl Scout Troop 24, one of the first African-American troops in the country. She also holds the distinction of being the first black woman to earn the Golden Eaglet Award — now known as the Gold Award — and the equivalent of the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Award.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Hardy said as her friends and fellow residents gathered around her.
“As we looked to celebrate our 100th anniversary we looked collectively at the power of these 100 individuals,” said Shannon Sullivan, chief development officer for Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “We felt we wanted to do something to celebrate the accomplishments of 100 years of Girl Scouts.”

Thus, to include current Scouts, alumnae and groups, organizers came up with five categories for recognition: Community Champion; Trail Blazer; Woman of Promise; Girl of Promise; and Distinguished Alumnae.

Community Champion awards are given to individuals, families or groups who have volunteered in their community or on a larger level. These recipients have served as mentors and role models whose lives and work exemplify the community service central to scouting.

Trailblazer awards are given to individuals, families, organizations or groups whose efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow.

Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.
“As we looked to celebrate our 100th anniversary we looked collectively at the power of these 100 individuals,” said Shannon Sullivan, chief development officer for Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “We felt we wanted to do something to celebrate the accomplishments of 100 years of Girl Scouts.”
Thus, to include current Scouts, alumnae and groups, organizers came up with five categories for recognition: Community Champion; Trail Blazer; Woman of Promise; Girl of Promise; and Distinguished Alumnae.

Community Champion awards are given to individuals, families or groups who have volunteered in their community or on a larger level. These recipients have served as mentors and role models whose lives and work exemplify the community service central to scouting.

Trailblazer awards are given to individuals, families, organizations or groups whose efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow.

Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.
Thus, to include current Scouts, alumnae and groups, organizers came up with five categories for recognition: Community Champion; Trail Blazer; Woman of Promise; Girl of Promise; and Distinguished Alumnae.
Community Champion awards are given to individuals, families or groups who have volunteered in their community or on a larger level. These recipients have served as mentors and role models whose lives and work exemplify the community service central to scouting.

Trailblazer awards are given to individuals, families, organizations or groups whose efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow.

Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.
Community Champion awards are given to individuals, families or groups who have volunteered in their community or on a larger level. These recipients have served as mentors and role models whose lives and work exemplify the community service central to scouting.
Trailblazer awards are given to individuals, families, organizations or groups whose efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow.

Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.
Trailblazer awards are given to individuals, families, organizations or groups whose efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow.
Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.
Woman of Promise honorees are 35 years old or younger and have demonstrated promise in their ability to assume significant leadership roles.


The anniversary ceremony brought more than 300 current Scouts, former Scouts and Scout supporters from across the state. Organizers said they’re looking forward to the next century of scouting.
Girls of Promise are current Girl Scouts between the ages of 12 and 18.

Distinguished Alumnae have demonstrated commitment, service and dedication to the Girl Scout Movement.

Other honorees who received Distinguished Alumnae recognition include: Loretta Paul Goldin and Sally Onofrio of Milford; Agnes Farrar of Hamden; and Margaret Jerrell of West Haven.

Community Champion honors went to: The Latina A.R.M.Y. in Milford, whose mission is to celebrate and empower young Latinas by providing inspiring role models; Patricia Scussel