(Left to Right) Kaitlyn Onanian, Macy Hines, Erin trollinger, Mayor Susan Gibson, Taylor Hasbrook, Lauren Mayer, Kayla Chronister and Hannah Battles.

Byrnes Mill Mayor Susan Gibson accepted an invitation to speak to Junior Girl Scout Troop #589 at Hillside Presbyterian Church in House Springs at their 6:00 p.m. meeting. The group of fourth-grade girls were pursuing their "Insdie Government" badge.

"It was a real joy for me to spend time with these girls," said Gibson, who spent 32 years as a special education teacher. "I enjoy talking with and teaching children, and these girls were just a delight. This is a wonderful 'perk' of my job!"

Gibson was "impressed by the self-confidence, creativity and openness" of the 10 and 11-year-olds. "My goal in speaking to these girls at this impressionable age was to let them know that 'You can be anything you want to be.' I told them that being involved in their community at any age is a high value and something that can have a big impact in their own life and other people's lives." She suggested that the troop could earn future merit badges by doing some community work in Byrnes Mill, like plainting spring bulbs in the park or taking part in next year's Christmas tree-lighting celebration in the park.

Gibson first led the girls in a discussion about the history of voting rights in

America. "They were shocked to learn that black men couldn't vote until after the Civil War and that women didn't get the right to vote until 1920," she said.

Gibson read from a book about Esther Hobart Morris, a woman from the East Coast who settled in Wyoming Territory in the 1870s. Morris was an early suffragette, one of the first women to receive the right to vote, and became sheriff of the Wyoming Territory.

Gibson described why she ran for office, the process of setting new goals, gathering support and compaigning, and explaining what the duties of a mayor entail. The troop members were interested in the workings of city government and had questions about policmen and firemen. "After I told some stories, even the shy girls opened up and told their own stories," said Gibson. The Byrnes Mill Police Department have Beanie Babies and educational coloring books for distribution, and Gibson took some to the troop meeting. The girls were excited to recieve those gifts from the police department," she says.

After an hour and half of discussion, Gibson stayed to watch the troop participate in a mock vote on strange laws found in some U.S. states. Each member was asked to vote on whether the law should be put into action or vetoed.

"It was a great night for me, and I look forward to speaking to more Scout groups in the future," said Gibson. " Since then, I've seen some of those girls at the grocery story and one at the planning meeting for the House Spring Christmas Parade. They were happy to see me and felt very comfortable to come up and talk. I hope that I've encouraged some future community leaders.