Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 minutes ago
February 4: Lisa Smith - The Wisconsin Girl Report
--submitted by Joy Cardin
The Wisconsin Girl Report, a study commissioned by the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin, examines the differences in lived experiences between boys and girls in the state when it comes to physical health, academic performance, emotional wellness, and social wellbeing. Rotarian and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland Lisa Smith presented key findings in two of the areas at the Rotary Club of Madison meeting this week.
While it is predicted the US will face a shortage of 1.4 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) workers in 2030 - there is a significant gap (17%) in the number of women compared to men pursing degrees in these fields. The report finds girls should be encouraged early (before the third grade) to explore STEM as they will usually decide by then if they want to pursue it.
The report also found more girls than boys are experiencing signs of depression and thoughts of suicide. 1 in 10 high school girls attempt death by suicide, a rate twice that of high school boys. Cyberbullying is also more prevalent among girls than boys with 1 in 8 girls missing school because of it. 79% of teenage girls in Wisconsin said they would not talk with an adult in their family about their feelings. The report recommends normalizing conversations about mental health and giving girls the opportunity to talk with a caring, supportive adult - not necessarily a parent.
You can read the entire Wisconsin Girl Report here: wisconsingirlreport.org
Guest speaker starts at 20:27 minutes.
February 4: Lisa Smith - The Wisconsin Girl Report
--submitted by Joy Cardin
The Wisconsin Girl Report, a study commissioned by the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin, examines the differences in lived experiences between boys and girls in the state when it comes to physical health, academic performance, emotional wellness, and social wellbeing. Rotarian and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland Lisa Smith presented key findings in two of the areas at the Rotary Club of Madison meeting this week.
While it is predicted the US will face a shortage of 1.4 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) workers in 2030 - there is a significant gap (17%) in the number of women compared to men pursing degrees in these fields. The report finds girls should be encouraged early (before the third grade) to explore STEM as they will usually decide by then if they want to pursue it.
The report also found more girls than boys are experiencing signs of depression and thoughts of suicide. 1 in 10 high school girls attempt death by suicide, a rate twice that of high school boys. Cyberbullying is also more prevalent among girls than boys with 1 in 8 girls missing school because of it. 79% of teenage girls in Wisconsin said they would not talk with an adult in their family about their feelings. The report recommends normalizing conversations about mental health and giving girls the opportunity to talk with a caring, supportive adult - not necessarily a parent.
You can read the entire Wisconsin Girl Report here: wisconsingirlreport.org
Guest speaker starts at 20:27 minutes.
