Officially announced today, the Girl Guides of Canada has renamed its Brownies branch the “Embers”.
The organization says the decision was made to change the branch name for girls ages 7 and 8 after hearing from current and former members that the previous name caused harm and was a barrier to belonging for racialized girls and women.
C-E-O Jill Zelmanovits says current and former members chose “Embers” in an online vote. She says this wasn’t just about a name or its origin but about the fact that girls experienced racism and felt that they weren’t welcome in Girl Guides.
The name Embers will be phased in with the name fully adopted by September 1st. Other branches of Girl Guides of Canada include Sparks for those aged five and six; Guides, who are nine to 11; Pathfinders who are 12 to 14; and Rangers who are 15 to 17.
























