LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – A recent survey titled "2025 Ohio – The State of the Girl" reveals that many teen girls in the state are facing more significant struggles than expected, especially when it comes to mental health, social well-being, and academic pressure.
The Lima Rotary Club recently heard from representatives of the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, who participated in the collaborative research behind the study. While the data shows that girls are resilient, it also points to major challenges that affect their ability to thrive in today’s society.
“We are seeing that 51% of our middle school girls are reporting that they've been cyberbullied,” said Tiffany Hallman, Chief Marketing and Development Officer for the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. “We're seeing that a lot of our girls are feeling helpless, unsure, not comfortable in STEM, and we see Girl Scouting as an answer to these statistics and to really change some of these outcomes.”
Hallman emphasized the importance of Girl Scouts as a safe environment where girls can grow through trial and error. She added that the organization is in need of more adult volunteers to help lead troops and provide mentorship.
By engaging in scouting, Hallman said, girls are given the support and tools they need to become healthier, happier, and more confident leaders in their communities.
