“If a boy can do it, we can do it.”
That was the mentality that Zoe Gast and Katie Jenkins ran with when they became the first female Eagle Scouts in the area nearly four months ago, and it’s the message that both hope to convey to young women who want to pursue the same goals.
On Saturday, Gast and Jenkins, who helped create Marblehead Troop 79G in 2019, were recognized by the community with a Court of Honor outside of Abbot Hall. The Court of Honor is a celebration for scouts who have achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 79G, which has consisted of more than 20 young women since its founding, was integrated as a part of Troop 79, which has been in existence since 1937.
It wasn’t until 2019 that girls were officially able to join Scouts BSA.
“Today marks a historic milestone for BSA Troop 79G as we celebrate our first Eagle Scouts, Katie Jenkins and Zoe Gast,” Jen Stoddard, Troop 79G scoutmaster and Jenkins’ mother, said. “Their achievement is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and leadership that define the spirit of scouting. It’s a proud moment that underscores the importance of inclusivity as well as the vital importance of empowering young women, providing them with opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and outdoor adventure.”
In an interview, Gast said during her scout years, it was easy to get lost in the moment and not really recognize the amount of work she had put in, and Saturday’s ceremony was a moment for her to reflect on her accomplishments.
“You do it because you’re enjoying it and then all of a sudden it’s like this huge effort that came together,” Gast said. “It’s nice to look back in retrospect and kind of see how hard you worked.”
Before Troop 79G’ came into existence’s creation, Jenkins and a few of her other friends were interested in creating an opportunity for girls to become scouts. Jenkins and her friend Georgia shared an interest in starting the troop, and just needed to garner interest from others in the area.
Jenkins said she helped start the effort because she wanted to open that door of possibility for women.
“I initially joined just so that I could be part of just starting it so that opportunity would be available,” Jenkins said. “It was really important to me and something that kind of took over my whole life.”
Among those in attendance for the ceremony was state Rep. Jenny Armini, who spoke on Gast and Jenkins being role models for young women.
“Zoe and Katie, you are part of a plan — generations in the making — to expand opportunities for women and girls. Because you stepped up, others will follow. What could be more emblematic of an Eagle Scout than that?” Armini said.
In a Facebook post, Armini added, “These trailblazing young women fulfilled the rigorous requirements to achieve scouting’s highest honor, including service projects that improved the lives of those struggling to find a path forward.”
For their Eagle Scout projects, Jenkins worked with Centerboard, a nonprofit organization supporting families and young people through “housing, access to employment, education, and financial empowerment.” Working in a group based out of the old Salem State University dorms, she helped collect hygiene products to make and give “welcome bags” to families assisted by Centerboard.
Gast worked with the Prison Book Program, based in Quincy. The program provides books to prisoners based on their letters, sent to program volunteers, detailing what genres of literature they are interested in.
In addition, both went on multiple camping trips across New England, led backpacking trips to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, and gave back through community service in addition to their Eagle Scout projects.
Jenkins said that while hiking and camping in the wilderness for days and weeks was challenging at times, it was plenty worth it.
“It’s very hard, but if you just do it, you’ll learn so much and realize you can do so many more things,” Jenkins said. “The things you learn from scouting and just having opportunities to go outside, you can improve the rest of your life just by knowing you can do those things.”
“Every single girl that I’ve met has the complete capacity to get Eagle and if they want to do it, they can put their mind to it and do it,” Gast added.
