06/16/2025
Lead. Lift. Inspire. đź’š In loving memory of Melissa Hortman.
Girl Scout. Minnesota House Speaker. Lifelong Champion for Girls.
We are heartbroken by the loss of a beloved leader, trailblazer, and forever Girl Scout.
Melissa Hortman was more than a policymaker—she was a protector of possibility. She carried the spirit of Girl Scouts with her in every role she held, leading with grace, clarity, and an unshakable belief in the power of girls.
She began her journey in a troop, just like so many of the girls we serve today. And from that foundation, she rose to break barriers, speak truth, and open doors that had long been closed to others. She never stopped believing in girls—and she never stopped showing up for them.
Her legacy isn’t just in laws passed or titles earned. It’s in the quiet confidence she gave a young girl who didn’t yet see herself as a leader. It’s in the spark she lit in others to speak up, to take action, to lead with love.
At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we had the privilege of witnessing that legacy in motion. Melissa was always there—for our mission, our movement, and most importantly, our girls.
As we hold her memory close, we also hold the torch she passed to us.
If Melissa touched your life—or if her story stirs something in your heart—we invite you to be part of the world she worked so hard to create. One where girls are heard. Lifted. Loved. And ready to lead.
Because when one girl is empowered, a ripple begins. And Melissa knew exactly how powerful that ripple could be.
She was—and always will be—a . We will carry her light forward in every troop meeting, every badge earned, and every brave voice that rises.
