Today, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL) announced the organization raised almost half a million dollars at its Night of a Million Dreams gala, held at the Delta Flight Museum on March 8th. These funds ensure all girls, regardless of economic background, can attend camp, explore career paths, and earn leadership and skills badges.

The council recognized three recipients of their Dream Forward Award: former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander, and community advocate Amy Vassey.

• Shirley Franklin, the former Mayor of Atlanta, is a lifelong public servant and transformational leader recognized for revitalizing the city. She is a recipient of the JFK Profile in Courage Award who demonstrates a strong commitment to community, environmental, and fiscal responsibility, as well as ethical leadership, reflecting the Girl Scout life lessons she learned as a child.

• Blayne Alexander, a four-time Emmy Award–nominated journalist, is known for fearless storytelling that brings critical issues to the forefront. From covering the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice to Georgia’s evolving political landscape, Alexander has amplified voices that often go unheard. Her commitment to service extends beyond the newsroom through volunteer work supporting youth impacted by poverty and racial inequity.

• Amy Vassey has been a dedicated member and supporter of Girl Scouting for more than six decades. As a Service Unit Director in Fayette County, she serves as a vital link between the council and local volunteers, overseeing recruitment, training, retention, and program delivery. Her ongoing volunteer efforts have positively impacted nearly 10,000 girls.

At a time when national funding for women’s and girls' organizations hovers at an all-time low of under 3% of total philanthropic giving*, and 800,000 metro Atlanta area girls are impacted by poverty,* Girl Scouts remains committed to providing its award-winning leadership development program to all girls, regardless of their financial status.

Today, Girl Scouts are found everywhere girls are found, from private schools to Title 1 schools, community centers to houses of worship, and across the entire economic spectrum.

“The girls we serve today dream of becoming tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jai Ferrell, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “But dreaming isn’t enough; they need the tools to turn those dreams into action. When you donate to Girl Scouts, you're not just opening a door to our programs; you're opening a door to a girl's future.”

Chick-fil-A was the presenting sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company, Publix Super Markets Charities, Fiserv., Delta Vacations and Georgia Power. A live painting by artist Jansseen Robinson was presented to Delta in recognition of their ongoing support.