Girl Scout Leader Dorothea “Dottie” Longi has lived in North Bergen for over 50 years. In that time, she’s amassed more than a few friends.
After years of service to the town of North Bergen, Longi was awarded a proclamation from Mayor Nicholas Sacco on Friday, June 17th, acknowledging her accomplishments within the community. The ceremony was held at the Our Lady of Fatima Church Hall.
When asked how she became involved with the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. program, Longi casually replied, “My daughter’s troop leader quit, and I stepped up and took it over.”
“Mrs. Longi has changed that perception throughout our community.” – Afifeh Alaween
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Thirty years later, Longi still holds her position as Girl Scout leader, but she’s earned some other roles in the program as well. She currently serves as a delegate to the Girl Scout National Convention, a trainer for incoming leaders, and a registrar for the North Hudson county area Girl Scout Leaders.
“Usually, when people hear the term ‘Girl Scout,’ crafts and cookies come to mind,” expressed Afifeh Alaween, a former Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, in an e-mail to the Hudson Reporter. “Through her dedication to the Girl Scout movement, Mrs. Longi has changed that perception throughout our community. The Girl Scouts of North Bergen, past and present, have become well-respected members of the community.”
“We try to teach them how to work as a team,” said Longi, “and also to be self-sufficient, instead of depending on Mommy all the time.”
She continued, “That’s a big pet peeve of mine. Mommies aren’t allowed to do anything in our troops.”
Longi added that camping trips are her favorite scouting activity, particularly “teaching girls to enjoy their outdoors not only at camp but here in their city area.”
Under Mrs. Longi’s current tenure as Girl Scout Leader, 13 women – including Alaween – have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, and 15 young women have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award.
Leader in more ways than one
As Girl Scout Leader, Longi was able to serve the town of North Bergen in various ways. Between setting aside time for the Girl Scouts to spend with residents at the Harborage Nursing Home, organizing blood drives as well as clothing and food drives for the homeless, and running after-school tutoring programs for elementary students, she has always made sure that charity was a high priority.
Longi also has helped to mold her scouts into future leaders.
“We’re trying to teach the girls to be their own person,” said Longi. “The older ones are thinking about high school and what they want to do with the rest of their life.”
Longi added that the program helps shape girls into becoming community leaders.
“We help them figure out what they’d like to do,” said Longi.
A family affair
Longi’s dedication to the Girl Scout program stems from the close familial relationship that she had with her troop.
“Mrs. Longi has always gone above and beyond to make sure all girls who wanted to be Scouts were involved,” said Alaween in the e-mail. “Sometimes families would move away from North Bergen and the girls would want Mrs. Longi to advise them on their projects. Mrs. Longi would exchange e-mails, have late night phone calls, [and] mail out packages. The fact that girls who live in different areas seek Mrs. Longi’s guidance from afar shows that girls value and appreciate her.”
Said Longi, “I happen to love everything about girl scouting. That’s why I was in it so long. I love watching the children grow from grade to grade and watch what they have learned.”
After the recent passing of her husband, the proclamation and ceremony honoring Longi helped remind her of what her commitment to the Girl Scouts has meant.
“I was very, very happy,” said Longi of the ceremony. “[The ceremony] made my month. It helped show me that people are out there for me and I felt very close to everybody, including Mayor Sacco, who I’ve known for many years.”
“I guess the word is family – we’re a Girl Scout family,” continued Longi, “and that’s how I really felt.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com.