Stories to Live By: A Look Back at the 2024 Northeast Popular Culture Association Conference
AUTHOR: Blake Changnon and Janine B. Napierkowski
At the 2024 Northeast Popular Culture Association conference, Blake Changnon and Janine Napierkowski gave a virtual talk called Stories to Live By. Their session looked at the connections between two popular brands many children and adults know: American Girl and Girl Scouts. While one is a doll brand and the other is a youth group, they both use stories to help kids learn, feel strong, and be part of something bigger.
Janine works with Girl Scouts of the USA and takes care of their history and archives. Blake runs a virtual museum filled with Pleasant Company and American Girl dolls, books, catalogues and papers. Together, they showed how both American Girl and Girl Scouts use stories to teach children important lessons and help them see themselves as brave, smart, and kind.
Part of their talk focused on The American Girl magazine from Girl Scouts, which ran from 1920 to 1979. The magazine shared stories, poems, advice, and artwork. Long before Pleasant Company started, the Girl Scouts owned the name "The American Girl." In the 1990s, Pleasant Company even worked with the Girl Scouts to make doll-sized uniforms. Some dolls, like Molly McIntire from 1944, were Girl Scouts in their stories.
Blake and Janine also talked about how Pleasant T. Rowland started Pleasant Company in 1986. She wanted to help girls learn about history through books and dolls. Characters like Addy and Samantha showed girls how to be strong and kind. Many people who loved American Girl as children still love it today. They make videos, podcasts, write fan stories, and post on social media about their favorite dolls.
Janine shared the results of a survey she did with almost 200 people. The answers showed that both Girl Scouts and American Girl helped people feel proud, choose hobbies, and even pick careers. Some said the two brands helped them believe in themselves. Others said they now share these things with their own children.
The conversation also touched on how both brands have changed with the times. Girl Scouts now includes badges for science, mental health, and helping others. American Girl has brought back older dolls and even made items for grown-up fans, like t-shirts and journals. Both brands keep finding new ways to connect with today’s children, and the adults who grew up with them.
Blake and Janine ended their conversation by saying that stories still matter. Whether it’s reading a book, going to a troop meeting, or playing with a doll, kids are learning how to care, how to lead, and how to dream big. That’s what makes American Girl and Girl Scouts so special. They aren’t just about the past, they help kids build the future.