AHG Asserts, ‘God Has Created Men and Women Differently on Purpose’
November 1, 2021
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Oneof the world’s largest Christian, scout-type organizations, American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org) has long focused on building young women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. AHG accomplishes this through hands-on badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, outdoor adventures, virtual connections, and more, all while stressing Christian values and family participation across its many programs for girls. Today, at a time when some attempt to put masculinity and femininity on a spectrum, AHG proudly stands up for God-anointed, God-driven femininity.
Says AHG Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay, “We believe that biblical femininity is the core essence of every woman, purposefully designed by God. He has created men and women differently on purpose.” It’s why, she adds, “AHG provides a space that celebrates the biblical femininity inside every girl.
“For centuries, the beauty of God-given femininity has been under attack, its definition debated, its behavior contested,” says Garibay. “Secular humanism has attempted to destroy the beautiful model of femininity and transform it into an equal model to masculinity. Today, it has gone one step further to claim an embrace of non-binary sexual identity. With all this confusion in our society, it is no wonder that this debate has filtered down to our youngest members: our children. This is no coincidence. Satan is in for the long haul.
“As Christians, we must engage in this debate,” Garibay continues. “Scripture is clear: There is a difference between male and female, and it is worth celebrating! Scripture defines the true nature of a woman: relational, nurturing, vulnerable, with a love for beauty and a desire to respond. God-given femininity is a gift that, when freely accepted, will bless a woman throughout her life. Every girl can become a Christ-following servant leader who is honoring, anchored in Christ, and competent—a woman of integrity.”
The result of embracing true biblical femininity, according to Garibay, is self-assurance. “Confidence is a fruit of biblical femininity,” Garibay claims. “Once a girl understands her God-given femininity and embraces it, she will blossom into a strong, godly woman! Understanding that her femininity is just as important and valuable as masculinity—just different—is empowering to young girls who are being taught by modern society that the lines between the two can be blurred.”
Among AHG’s many proactive and specially designed programs for young women is G.R.I.T. with Grace, a robust new leadership initiative for members. Concepts are presented in “sessions,” or units of study and activities based on topics pulled from AHG’s Biblical Leadership Badge (one of AHG’s many outstanding badge offerings). G.R.I.T. with Grace is not a classroom-based learning plan—it’s fun, interactive, and memorable for all AHG members. It can be implemented in an event setting of each AHG Troop’s choosing, such as a retreat or campout. Each relatable session has been created in “plug and play” format, so that AHG leaders can select and use the topics that best meet their Troop’s specific needs. Current session topics include Everyone Can Lead, Identity in Christ, Peer Influence, Heart to Listen, and more.
American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted this faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters. At AHG, girls ages five to 18 meet together as a single Troop at the same time and then break out into Units by Levels. This gives AHG girls the important social experience of interacting with friends and godly mentors of various ages; members also learn leadership skills within a group setting. AHG Troops are located in local communities across the nation. If none exists in a given area, families can bring the AHG Program to their own area. An American Heritage Girls Troop Development Coach is available to provide resources to potential Charter Organizations and other families to form a new Troop. To hear more about the purpose, mission, and vision of AHG from Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay, click here.
Today, there are Troops in all 50 states and girls being served in 15 countries around the globe. Girls can join a Troop at any time; if a Troop is not available nearby, they can become a Trailblazer and enjoy the AHG program alongside their parent. A variety of Christian denominations are also represented as Charter Organizations for Troops. Thousands of volunteer members across the country are helping girls grow in their faith, cultivate a heart for service, enjoy the great outdoors, and have more fun than they can imagine.
The “Raising Godly Girls” radio feature and Raising Godly Girls blog shares guidance and biblically based advice on many key topics affecting girls today—including the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying. It gives parents, educators, and faith community leaders a set of tools, resources, and Scripture-based advice to assist in raising girls after God’s own heart. The “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay airs on 900+ Christian radio stations across the country.
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To schedule interviews with Patti Garibay, Founder and Executive Director of American Heritage Girls, contactMedia@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
To inquire about airing the “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay, contact Michael Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 101.
