International Rainbow Girls

 October the 11th is International Day of the Girl Child, the theme Girls’ Progress = Goals Progress: What Counts for Girls, examines gender equality and the existing gaps in girls progress and works to recognise the importance of empowering women and girls to build their communities. SAcommunity spoke to the International Rainbow Girls group in Adelaide who offer leadership through community service.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (Rainbow Girls for short) is a non-profit service organisation for girls aged 10 and 21. The organisation was founded in Oklahoma, USA in 1922. The Rainbow Girls have since grown to have active membership of 275,000 members across the world. There are members in SA, NSW and Qld as well as multiple countries around the world including the USA.

Since the Rainbow Girls began more than one million girls have officially joined and there are more than one million women mentors who participate as adults though no longer considered active members.

Rainbow seeks to develop an environment where young women can build both life and personal skills while also serving their community.

Rainbows builds self-respect, self-confidence, leadership & public speaking skills, confidence, poise, patriotism, fidelity, integrity and character, all while providing a fun and safe environment for girls to meet other girls, work as part of a team, build lasting friendships, and learn to effectively communicate, mentor and be positive role models for younger members of the group.

Each six months a girl assumes the position of Worthy Advisor (President) and she has the honour of choosing the charity we will support with fundraising during the term. We are currently supporting Heart Kids S.A.

A Past Worthy Advisor, Leila is donating her hair to be made into a wig for a child with Alopecia. She is seeking sponsorship and has raised approximately $1000.00 so far.

Our Rainbow girls group meet twice a month for meetings, and also regularly meet for fundraising or social activities. We also have a Pledge Group for girls from 7 to 10 years who attend one meeting per month and join in the social activities. For further details, please email: rainbowgirlssa@yahoo.com.au or phone: Kimberley 0417885488 or Lorraine: 0417082631